Couple build DIY 'tiny house' from scratch – people can't believe how much it cost them

The tiny home has plenty of storage
-Credit: (Image: TikTok/mindful.in.maine)


Move over, grand mansions and sprawling estates – this tiny house, built from scratch by a handy couple, has got people talking. Brooke and Sol spent just £35,000 to develop the adorable property, which is just 36ft-long.

However, it has everything they need. "We're so happy with how our house turned out," they said in a recent TikTok post about the house. "We couldn't be happier with our little house," Brooke continued.

The viral home boasts a spacious kitchen with plenty of storage space as well as a living area with a breakfast bar for eating and a sofa. "We have plenty of storage with shelving and cabinets," Brooke explained.

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The couple from Maine, US, have a bathroom with a walk-in shower and stunning sink space, and upstairs they have a balcony-style bedroom area with a double bed. Brooke said: "We designed and built the house ourselves. We don't really even have an official set of plans or blueprints. We drew out what we wanted with a pencil on a large poster board and that's what we referenced throughout the whole build."

Thankfully, Sol is a professional carpenter and wood worker so he has experience working on homes - but this was his first time working on a tiny house. "So we were able to do the whole build ourselves, with a little bit of help from friends and family," Brooke added.

The couple completed their house in 2021 and have been documenting the project on social media. Although the designing and building process was fun for the couple, they admit that it was not easy getting planning permission for their property. They were rejected from taking out a bank loan and had to conduct extensive research to find an area where it would be legal to build their dream home.

Brooke said: "At the time, tiny houses weren't legal all across our state of Maine so we had to research the building codes of towns. The town we ended up in is pretty small and doesn't have any building codes."

Although their house is small, Sol also built a large decking area which is perfect for their dog and when guests are over. Plus in their garden, which overlooks forest space, they have created a campfire area with benches and a hammock.

After the couple shared a tour of their property on TikTok via their page @mindful.in.maine, people rushed to comment. One said: "This is the best laid out tiny house I've seen."

"Your tiny house is my fave," added another. "Omg this is gorgeous," added another. "It is beautiful," said a fourth.

Can you build a tiny house in the UK?

In the UK, tiny houses are legal but there are some restrictions - if the property is classed as a permanent building, it will need planning permission and Building Regulations approval, according to Build It. The Caravan Act is outside of the planning rules.

Do you have a story? Get in touch at Lucy.Marshall@reachplc.com.