Finding a builder is the first major hurdle you’ll go through when you first start this process. So much so, that I have an entire article all about it. It can be difficult to finally decide on a builder when there are so many factors at play - for me at least, I wanted to know as much about the company as I could before making such a major decision. I firmly believe that once you have a solid understanding of what you want out of your tiny house, it will become clear to you who should be the one to build it. Take a look at my Find A Builder article, and once you are able to narrow down what is most important to you in your tiny house build, come back to this list to see who will be able to best provide that for you.

I’ve heard enough horror stories to know that hiring the right builder doesn’t just mean finding one with a design aesthetic that you like, but it means hiring a reputable business that you can confidently put your trust and money into - one that uses quality materials, sets high standards for themselves, and never cut corners. This is a select group of builders that I believe to be the best of the best. Some of them I considered myself before deciding on Minimaliste, and some of them I only recently discovered. I’ve researched each of these extensively and put together all of the critical info you need to consider as you make your decision.

In order from East to West…

Minimaliste Tiny Houses - Quebec, QC, Canada

Of course! As you’ve probably figured out by now, they built my house and I had a lovely experience with them. The Laurier model was the first tiny house I saw that really made think I could actually do this. I knew after seeing that model that I wanted them to be my builder. They deliver anywhere in the US and Canada, and specialize in 100% custom homes built to RVIA standards. You are also able to choose from one of their past models if you prefer (including my house, the Noyer)! They take the time to get to know each customer to personally design you a home to fit your lifestyle, but will also welcome a clients own design if you have one you want to bring to life (that’s what I did)! Even after your home arrives, they’ll help you get on your feet and are always available to answer any questions as they pop up. Their homes range anywhere between $50K - $120K, it entirely depends on the size, materials, appliances, level of customization, etc, but they will always work with you to stay within a certain budget. You can consider this entire website one big glowing review of Minimaliste, but in any case, here are a few photos of some of their other builds!

All photography provided by Minimaliste Tiny Homes.

Liberation Tiny Homes - Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA

Liberation Tiny Homes is a small company in the middle of Amish country, PA that started in 2015. In their own words, “We have a tight knit and experienced team and we focus on quality as much as possible.” They work within a few different styles, but can still create 100% custom homes that can be shipped anywhere in the USA. They also offer 3 stages of tiny house shells if you are interested in taking on all or just a portion of the build yourself. They are a group of young entrepreneurs truly focused on innovation, craftsmanship, and quality, and this becomes very apparent once you start looking through their work. They also have a really good video based FAQ section that answers just about any question you could possibly have, straight from the makers themselves.

Their pricing is very competitive for the quality of homes that they produce, so I wouldn’t be swayed by their location if you do not live near PA. Depending on the size and level of customization, their homes seem to generally range anywhere between $45K to $85K. A 40ft gooseneck tiny home, on the other end of the spectrum, can be upwards of $100K if you really go all out. But they definitely have a wide range of options available to people at different price points.

More often than not, location is not as important as people may assume. Even with my builder being over 3000 miles away, it was still cheaper for me to go with them over a builder on the west coast. There’s just so many factors at play that you really have to get a solid estimate from every builder to know what your all encompassing cost will be. This is my PSA - don’t just assume that a builder further away will be more expensive!

I only recently came across Liberation. Had I known about them when I was deciding on a builder, I absolutely would have gotten a quote from them. Their work is just too good.

All photography provided by Liberation Tiny Homes.

mustard seed tiny homes - Atlanta, georgia, USA

Mustard Seed Tiny Homes offers quite a wide range of options for people at all stages of their tiny house journey. Their focus is on modern design, quality craftsmanship, affordability, and stewardship. Their goal is to create positive change in this housing crisis, both internationally and locally. Not only have they pledged to give a portion of the profit from each home they sell towards helping people with housing needs, they’ve also partnered with Ground Zero Grace – a nonprofit in Atlanta that serves the elderly, disabled, and families in need. In Cape Town, South Africa, they’ve partnered with Ithemba Shacks, a ministry that “trains and employs local men from the township of Masiphumelele to build new homes for struggling families within their community.”

Mustard Seed currently has 4 NOAH certified tiny home models and 2 park models available to choose from, but they are also very open to custom builds. In addition to this, they also offer 2 stages of tiny house shells for those who would prefer to finish the inside on their own. Their pricing is also insanely good, most notably for their spacious park models, which run around $95K and can be financed directly through Mustard Seed. Their tiny houses vary anywhere between $56K - $76K. For the quality and affordability that Mustard Seed provides, along with their very admirable stewardship efforts, I really can’t recommend them enough. Check out the beautiful photos below of their various tiny homes and park models.

All photography provided by Mustard Seed Tiny Homes.

Wind river tiny homes - Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

Wind River was established in 2014 and specializes is completely custom built homes. On average, they build between 12 and 15 homes per year, but they’re currently in the process of ramping up their production. In their own words, “We believe in right-sized living and our mission is to bring the American Dream back to reality. We want our customers to live with freedom, both in time and money, to live more authentically and with purpose.” Getting a full quote from them can take a couple weeks, but that is only because they put absolutely everything into making sure you get the home you want. They really take into account every single detail and get to know their customers to make a home to fit every aspect of their life. They will deliver anywhere in the US and if you live outside the US, they can deliver it to the closest border. They will even let you decide if you want your house to be RV certified or not, which is helpful when you are determining how you are going to classify it with the DMV. Wind River stresses the importance of how the price of your home can change significantly based on the different materials, finishes and appliances you choose. They state that an average sized home (8.5 x 24 ft) with standard finishes would be between $60K - $80K. More generally, their homes can be built anywhere between $30K to over $100K. It entirely depends on your level of customization and the materials you choose. We all know this to be true, but Wind River does a very good job of laying this out very clearly, while giving different examples of how to stay within a certain budget. They truly offer a custom experience, so if that is what you are after, they’d be at the top of my list. Oh, and they also do skoolies!

They have also recently introduced “Elements,” which are pre fabricated houses built at their facility near Chattanooga, Tennessee. As they’ve explained on their website, “Elements are delivered by Wind River Tiny Homes crew and lowered onto your level surface. Our innovative delivery system is simple and turn-key. We collaborate with you to make it happen. No cranes, tractors, or heavy equipment need be to involved if your site can be accessed. We use high quality materials and components in all the structures we build, Elements are no exception. Sturdy construction and well insulated Elements by Wind River Tiny Homes are built to last.” They are currently only selling and delivering these within 100 miles of Chattanooga, but in doing so, they are able to keep them at a lower price point than that of a traditional on site construction. If you live in the area, this is a very cool option to consider if you have the land available for a foundation home.

Wind River is also offering something super cool for all of you! If you build a home with them, they’d like to offer a $300 check after your home is delivered to help get you situated. This can be used for anything from utility hookups, to skirting, decking, etc. Totally up to you! I know first hand how much work goes into getting your house setup, and having a little extra cash on hand would be incredibly useful. If you choose them as your builder, just mention my name when you first reach out and they’ll take it from there!

Check out the photo gallery below and prepare to be amazed.

All photography provided by Wind River Tiny Homes.

Rocky Mountain tiny houses - durango, colorado, USA

Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses is a small company out of Colorado that specializes in truly unique homes. I would say they’ve become quite known for their incredibly innovative and extraordinary exteriors - no two homes are alike and you really won’t find a similar look elsewhere. Their homes offer an incredible value for the money and I would encourage you to check them out if customization is important to you and budget is a top concern. Their tiny homes range between $30K - $85K.

In addition to complete builds, they also provide plans for some of their past models for those who want to build their own home, as well as shells for those who just want a head start. They have a very informative pricing page that clearly lays out their ballpark prices for both shells and complete builds based on the size of the unit. As an example, they would expect a 28 ft tiny house to cost about $20K - 33K for the shell only and between $65K - 80K for the entire build.

They also offer something very unique that I haven’t seen elsewhere, and that is a fully custom DIY Kit. Rocky Mountain will provide you a trailer, insulation, framing, construction documents, etc. All of their kits come with the bare minimum, but if you want, they will literally provide everything you need to build a home yourself, from cabinets to appliances all the way down to paints and finishes. If you are a true DIYer, this is a super cool option that will take alot of the initial headache out of building your own home.

All photography provided by Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses.

mint tiny homes - vancouver, British colombia, Canada

Mint has been around since 2014 and has since created over 100 tiny homes. That boggles my mind. Mint’s focus is on quality craftsmanship, integrity, communication, and being environmentally conscious. They have a few base floor plans available to choose from, but each can be customized to create a truly unique home. Their sizes range from 22-44 ft in length and up to 14 ft wide park model homes. They’re also able to build tiny houses with slide outs. All of their homes are built to RVIA standards and they deliver across the US and Canada. Their pricing is also really good - the tiny houses seem to be in the $70 - $85K USD range, but can definitely run more if you decide to upgrade with a bunch of add on’s. Luckily, they have a very convenient floor plan designer on their website where you can input your preferences and get an instant estimate for what it may cost you. They also have 2 models exclusive to Fraserway RV’s. These models are very travel friendly, while still maintaining that tiny house look and feel, and are sold through Fraserway, one of the largest RV dealers in Canada. Lastly, in addition to complete tiny homes, they also sell trailers only for people who want to build themselves. 

This is another builder who I only recently came across after following one of their clients on Instagram, and instantly became hooked. Had I known about Mint beforehand, they would have been on my list for sure.

All photography provided by Mint Tiny Homes.

Tru Form Tiny - eugene, Oregon, USA

Tru Form Tiny homes are so beautiful it hurts. They’re one of the first builders I came across and their aesthetic is what really inspired me to design my own. Their craftsmanship is impeccable and they are consistently putting out beautiful designs year after year. They have a few different models that they start from, but each one is completely customizable. They try to give a diversity of choices and offer very distinct exterior styles - for example, urban modern, farmhouse modern, or craftsman. Their homes are RVIA certified, NADA listed, and they are passive house certified builders. They use authentic, high quality materials across the board, and have set a standard in the industry for creating a safe product with integrity. They have also recently starting building park model homes (10.5 ft wide) that look absolutely incredible. If you haven’t guessed, yes, they can be expensive. Their base price is good, but it can add up quickly based on your choices when configuring the space. Take a look at their online home builder to get an idea of what the pricing may be on your home. If you can keep your additions on the lower end, their prices can stay in line with most of the others on this list.

This photo gallery below features their soon to be released 10 ft wide park model home, the Ocean View, as well as a totally custom Shou Sugi Ban unit. That unit in particular required over 300 tiny little floating mortises and even at just 24 ft long, required 15% more labor than their largest park model at 34 ft long and 10 ft wide. They love a good challenge, and that model is an excellent example of their high standard for quality craftsmanship and innovation. In addition to these two units, the gallery also features photos of one of their classic Kootenay units that you can customize directly from their website.

All photography provided by Tru Form Tiny/Malia Schultheis.

Tiny Mountain Houses - salem, Oregon, USA

Tiny Mountain Houses has a strong commitment to affordability without sacrificing quality. I went inside one of their models at a tiny house festival a couple years ago, and their craftsmanship really is impeccable. They were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their work, and seemed dedicated in their mission to provide homes for people in various stages of life. They deliver throughout the US and Canada, and build RV certified, road legal only (8.5 ft wide) to help streamline the process. They have over 15 floorplans to choose from, all of which are very clearly laid out on their website with all the information you need on dimensions, appliances, materials used, etc. Many of their floorplans are available as single level only, which I know is a necessity for many. Turn key, their homes range between $50K - 100K. I’d say this is the closest you can get to a very simplified and streamlined ordering process. If you want your builder to come to you with options and build you an amazing house in a shorter time frame, I would absolutely go with Tiny Mountain Houses. They also have completed builds available for purchase through their website, which could be a great option if you want something quick and already like what they have to offer. Check out their current inventory here. They also attend home shows very frequently across the West Coast, so if you are in the area, check out their events page to see where you may be able to see one of their homes in person.

Tiny Mountain Houses has also been gracious enough to offer $750 off the price of your tiny house build - just let them know that I sent you or use code “Tuttle22” and they’ll get you all sorted!

All photography provided by Tiny Mountain Houses.

I hope this helped narrow down your list of builders! Feel free to reach out with any questions. If you decide to go with one of these builders, please do let me know!