I ‘accidentally’ built a tiny home for $17,250 with a shed from Home Depot - but I can make it even cheaper

AN all-around handyman has created a tiny home using a Home Depot shed as the base for under $18,000. 

Travis is a DIY-er and woodworker who is building a workshop where he “can be free to create, build, or fix anything,” according to his website.

1

The creative, who goes by Shop Nation on social media, has a passion for sharing his journey and helping others along the way.

After about seven months of working on a tiny home, he posted a video on YouTube that he titled: “I think I accidentally built a tiny home.”  

In it, Travis details his Camphouse Shed project calling it a “long and arduous task.”

As he posted the entire build in different YouTube videos, the last one broke down the cost.

Read More on Tiny Homes

The grand total after all his spending came out to $17,250.

While Travis agreed with his followers that it is in fact a pricey build, he feels like he could have done it cheaper.

“I built a cookie-cutter tough shed from Home Depot online with similar features and that total came out to $14,273 - that’s without the foundation,” Travis said.

The reason this project was more expensive than the others he’s built is because he went above and beyond.

Most read in Money

First, this home is bigger than others.

Plus, Travis added other things like a gravel backyard, a fire pit, and other more expensive features.

THE ACCIDENTAL TINY HOME

In total, the entire build took about seven months, including two in the middle of winter when little to no work could be done due to weather conditions.

While Travis built this as a shed, he added some pretty interesting features to make it a place for his family to enjoy.

In the video, he showcased the shelves that hold his tools, storage boxes, and even a small refrigerator.

However, on the outside, he added a fire pit, a television, and outdoor speakers to play music or watch TV.

Travis also included a roof eve above his firewood, blocking any rain from the wood.

DIY TINY HOMES

As the tiny home trend continues to grow, places like The Home Depot, Lowe's, and even Walmart all sell starter kits to help fellow DIY-ers get started on their tiny homes.

For example, The Home Depot is selling a single unit, 12-foot by 16-foot Rainbow End priced at just $4,839.

While the popular hardware store describes the space as an outdoor storage barn, creatives may transform it into a tiny home.

The base model costs $3,749.

However, for the extra 72-inch door, super-duty floor, vinyl windows, ridge vent, loft, and workbench, you’ll pay a higher cost.

Walmart sells a wood storage shed for $3,300 that may also be turned into a tiny home.

The space is 10 feet by 12 feet and includes a full floor.

Two full doors are on the exterior alongside a window with a gray trim.

Plus, if those who wish to add dividers, the single space can be turned into a living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

Tiny homes are experiencing a surge in popularity, with one couple managing to buy a tiny home for $1,250, complete with a makeshift Amazon couch that could fit their 6-foot-5-inch son.

And Home Depot's rival Lowe’s is selling a "beautiful and functional" tiny home for $5,659.