Serving Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Surrounding Areas
Personalized solutions for your inquiries directly.
No-cost ZOOM consultation for in-depth discussions.
We offer a diverse range of services tailored to your unique lifestyle needs, including:
Whether you’re looking to stay connected to the grid or go completely independent, our solar energy systems, including solar storage batteries, empower you with clean and renewable energy, ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
Harness the power of nature with our greywater utilization systems, composting toilets, and rainwater harvesting solutions. Minimize waste, conserve water, and promote sustainable living effortlessly.
Embrace self-sufficiency with our expertise in aquaponics, sustainable gardening preparation, and the development of stables and barns. Grow your own produce, raise livestock, and create a thriving, eco-conscious environment.
Prepare for unexpected challenges with our underground bunker solutions. Stay safe and secure in times of uncertainty, knowing you have a well-designed, fortified space ready to provide shelter and protection.
Our full-service approach provides our clients with a smooth transition from a desire to build, to a completed development. We handle everything under the Small House Solutions roof.
Explore our services to design the perfect oasis that aligns with your values and aspirations. Choose sustainability, choose independence, and choose Small House Solutions for a brighter, self-reliant future.
At Small House Solutions, we understand that embarking on an off grid journey requires specialized knowledge and expertise. While we offer a wide array of off grid living solutions, we also recognize the importance of having experts available to address our clients’ specific needs. Whether it’s harnessing renewable energy or managing water resources sustainably, our team is here to provide guidance and solutions that align with your vision of off grid living. Trust in our experience to navigate the path to self-reliance and sustainability.
Choosing off-grid living with Small House Solutions is a decision rooted in independence and resilience. Experience the advantages of breaking free from public utilities as you generate your own power, recycle resources, and cultivate self-sufficiency. We are committed to helping you prepare for uncertain times through thoughtful design and construction. Together, we’ll create a sanctuary where you can thrive, regardless of what the future may hold.
Our Featured Projects
Small House Solutions offers free consultation services.
Have a specific question for us?
Custom Home Builder Copperas Cove TX
Custom Home Builder Fredericksburg TX
Custom Home Builder Georgetown TX
Custom Home Builder Harker Heights TX
Custom Home Builder Hays County TX
Custom Home Builder Houston
Custom Home Builder Hutto TX
Custom Home Builder Kendall County TX
Custom Home Builder Killeen
Do you build in my area?
Small House Solutions is an Austin, TX based Custom Design-Build Firm serving Austin, San Antonio, Houston and their respective suburbs. The best way to determine if our services extend to your area is to contact us directly with your property address or desired build location.
What is the Difference Between a Tiny House on Wheels, Tiny House, Small House, and ADU?
There is a lot of confusion with regards to the usage of these terms, and others. While a nomadic “tiny house” on a hit TV show might be a “house” to some, it’s not considered a “house” to many local municipalities and counties regulators and building officials.
A tiny home that is indeed a legal residence within a city, must be designed and constructed according to the locally adopted version of the International Residential Code (IRC). This is the residential building code standard that building officials throughout the country review for permitting, and inspect to in order to furnish a Certificate of Occupancy.
While a tiny house on wheels may be a great solution for someone willing to live in an RV Park, tiny house (on wheels) community, or rural acreage in the county, it is not legal to have a tiny house travel trailer or RV hooked up to utilities and occupied within city limits. This is true of every city we’ve researched and is outlined in each city’s zoning code.
Tiny House On Wheels: A structure built atop a chassis. 8.5’ max width. 13.5’ max height. Some are registered with the State of Texas as “Travel Trailers” and are given license plates, some are not and are moved occasionally with a “One-Trip Permit” which must be obtained every time the structure is to be moved.
Tiny House: A home between 200 and 500 sqft. The home is built atop a permanent pier-and-beam or slab-on-grade foundation. The home complies with the local adopted version of the International Residential Code (IRC).
Small House: A home between 500 and 1,100 sqft. The home is built atop a permanent pier-and-beam or slab-on-grade foundation. The home complies with the local adopted version of the International Residential Code (IRC).
ADU: Additional Dwelling Unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit. These are secondary structures built on the same plotted property as the primary structure. While every city has different regulations regarding ADU’s, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio are friendly to them. These are also referred to as granny flats, backyard homes, mother in law suites, guest homes, pool houses, and a variety of other terms. Not sure if your property qualifies for an ADU, Guest House, Employee House, or another type of Accessory Structure to fit your needs? We’re ready to help.
Check out these links:
Tiny Homes for Sale Austin
Tiny Homes for Sale Houston
Tiny Homes for Sale San Antonio
Austin Texas Homes For Sale
How do I know if I can build in my own backyard?
There’s many factors to be considered. Backyard buildings are our passion! Accordingly, we’ve done deep research to satisfy various city’s zoning codes and septic regulations of various counties. We have maintenance close communication with various municipalities’ Development Services Departments and are always on the lookout for revisions to the adopted codes.
Here are some questions we ask ourselves during our feasibility / due-diligence study on a specific lot to consult with our clients on the best path forward:
– What is the purpose of the structure?
– What is to be included in the structure in order to accomplish that purpose?
– Location of the lot (City or County? Which City, Which County?)
– Is there a special zoning overlay or neighborhood planning area for the lot?
– Is there an HOA or any enforceable deed restrictions for the lot?
– Is the existing home on a well or a public water source?
– Is the existing home on a septic system or does it tie-in to the sewer?
– What is the size of the lot?
– What is the size of the existing home?
– How many bathrooms are in the existing home?
– What is the existing Impervious Cover %?
– What is the existing Building Coverage %?
– What is the existing Floor-Area-Ratio (FAR)?
– Are there any locally protected trees or state protected heritage trees on the lot?
– Are there any drainage or utility easements on the lot?
– What are the building setbacks from lot lines?
– Will an exterior visitability route be required on this lot?
– Is an additional parking spot above the code minimum required for an ADU on this lot?
– Is the lot in a floodplain?
– Is the lot in an Erosion Hazards Zone?
– Will the lot require a water service line upgrade under the street?
– Will the lot require an existing water meter upgrade?
– Will an electrical service panel upgrade be necessary?
– Will the ADU house the electric meter(s) and main panel, or will the existing house?
Is there any way I can get a rough estimate of the house I’m trying to build?
You can contact us directly by phone, the “contact us” link, or social media. Provide us with as much detail as possible regarding your property and what you are wanting to build. We will do our best to provide you a rough estimate range.
Keep in mind, when it comes to tiny and small homes, much of the costs of construction consists of engineering, permitting, land improvement, and utilities connections. Without you providing info about your property, or a potential property you are searching for, it will be difficult to provide you an estimate.
When we provide a cost estimate range, the price points we provide you include architectural design, geo-tech engineering, structural engineering, permit application, permits, inspections, and completed build.
Is financing available for tiny homes?
Yes. However, it seems that the big mortgage buying banks are less inclined to purchase mortgages from smaller banks if the homes are less than 600 sqft. Bring this up to lenders as you’re shopping for a good construction loan product.
A construction loan lender will want the following:
Application of borrower/buyer
Borrowers/buyers financial docs, tax returns, etc…
Application of builder/contractor
Architectural plans for appraisal
Cost/Budget Sheet and Draw Schedule
An executed contract between borrower and builder
On a construction loan, a lender will typically fund 80-90% of the total appraised value of land + construction costs. Construction Costs include “soft costs” such as engineering, geo-tech engineering report, structural engineer, permit application, etc… And “hard costs” such as a septic system, foundation pour, framing…
If you own land outright, the appraised value of the land may cover the 10-20% of the total appraised value of the land + construction costs you need to put down. In this instance, you would not need to provide any money down to the lender.
Each lender is different regarding when they are willing to fund you or the builder. Some lenders will cut a check or wire funds immediately upon closing to get the engineering and permitting process started. Others wanted the engineering done prior to closing. Some lenders require the foundation form boards set or the foundation poured before they will release funds.
Be sure to ask the tough questions to your lender regarding these points to find the right loan product and bank or credit union for you to work with.
Do you provide financing?
On a construction loan, a lender typically lends 85% of the total appraised value of the house (based on plans) + development + land.
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As you prepare for this project, please bear in mind that “small” does not equal “cheap”. We are not a low-budget builder.
Our project contracts range from $240 to $500+ per square foot, with cost decreasing as square footage increases. Due to current market conditions, we cannot offer construction contract pricing under $150,000, with the exception being accessory structures with no plumbing (i.e.: backyard office). If your specified budget is not realistic for your project, we will respectfully cancel your consultation with an email response as to why.
We look forward to speaking with you.
As you prepare for this project, please bear in mind that “small” does not equal “cheap”. We are not a low-budget builder.
Our project contracts range from $240 to $500+ per square foot, with cost decreasing as square footage increases. Due to current market conditions, we cannot offer construction contract pricing under $150,000, with the exception being accessory structures with no plumbing (i.e.: backyard office). If your specified budget is not realistic for your project, we will respectfully cancel your consultation with an email response as to why.
We look forward to speaking with you.
