Nontraditional homes like tiny houses and log cabins can be great because they offer advantages that a traditional home doesn’t, and homeowners can adapt them to the way they want to live. But they also come with their own challenges that some would call disadvantages. As an experienced remodeler, you can turn these challenges into solved problems for your clients simply by knowing what to expect.
Build Small, Think Big
Accompanying an urge to downsize and live more simply (and affordably!), tiny houses are growing in popularity across the country. Whether it’s a client who wants to turn a former accessory space, like a large shed or detached garage into their new dream home or a homeowner who has purchased a bare-bones tiny home and needs help sprucing it up, here’s what to expect if you take a job in one of these small spaces.
Challenge: Wiring
Wiring a tiny home can be challenging because there just isn’t that much space. When you have wires for power and an ethernet cable for internet, for example, usually you want to make sure there is sufficient space in between the two. In a tiny home this isn’t always possible, and you may have to cross the wires, which isn’t ideal.
The best thing you can do is rough-in all your wiring and do your best to install it as suggested. If you find you do have to make a few adaptations, let your clients know what you are doing and why. For example, if you must cross the ethernet cable with the electrical wire, make sure to only do so at a right angle. Carefully making adaptations and keeping the homeowner informed will ensure a job well done.
Challenge: Plumbing
Plumbing is challenging because the space you have for the bathroom is likely going to be around the size of a stand-up shower stall. If you are working on a tiny house on wheels, you face another challenge—making sure the trailer underneath isn’t in the way of the shower drain.
To fit the fixtures you need in a small space, you have to get creative and challenge the idea of “normal.” Show your client some design ideas and options they have for their space. For example, some people build the bathroom as the shower and place a toilet right in it. It doesn’t hurt the toilet to get wet from the shower, and it is an efficient use of space.
To avoid the problem of drilling a hole for a drain and running into the trailer, you just need to be observant. Measure out where you want the shower drain in the home, and then measure under the trailer and see if the metal from the trailer gets in the way at all. If it does, you can likely purchase an offset drain that allows you to work around the trailer.
Challenge: Meeting Building Code
Tiny houses are gaining popularity, but what most of the shows on television don’t cover is building codes and zoning. Before you even start your project, advise your client to make sure their land is zoned for it. You can work with an architect who knows building code and can help you plan the remodel so it’s completely legal and exactly what the client wants. If your project doesn’t meet zoning and building requirements, you are breaking the law, and your client could be forced to move or take down their tiny home.
An easy step is to meet with the building inspector in your area and let them know what you are planning. They can guide you along the way and tell you exactly what codes and zoning requirements to be aware of.
Back to Basics
Though much attention has been paid to the gains in modern style, rustic spaces, simple design, and natural materials still have a solid appeal. And more homeowners are recognizing the versatility of log cabins and their ability to branch beyond the traditional style and into more contemporary spaces. Here’s what to keep in mind should you find yourself working on a log home makeover.
Log Cabin Challenge: Wiring
Just as with a tiny home, log cabins have their own unique wiring challenges. Since the home is built of solid logs, you don’t have the usual space in between studs to run the wiring like you do with a stick-built home. Wiring a log cabin requires careful planning and making room however you can. Be sure the client knows exactly what they want in terms of lighting and wiring before you begin so you can plan it out properly.
You will cut out spaces for light switches and outlets, and you will create chases, or empty spaces, for the rest of the wiring. The space for the windows and doors create a natural chase you can take advantage of, so keep this in mind when you are planning the wiring.
Log Cabin Challenge: Maintenance
Be sure to educate your client on how to take care of their log cabin home. They will spend a lot of time over the years taking care of the logs and keeping them in top condition, which includes sanding, washing, and staining. Remind them that log homes also have the same maintenance that traditional homes have, such as cleaning the gutters, sealing leaks, and clearing the fireplace.
By planning ahead in the early stages of the project and treating the wood properly from the beginning, you are ensuring the log cabin home won’t be a nightmare to maintain and will last for many decades. Explain to the client what materials you are using and why, because they may need to do the same in the future to maintain the logs.
