Tiny House Funding Proposal
April 29, 2015
Ms. Kathy Rowan
Funding Director
Tiny House Association
4938 Filbert Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Subject: Tiny House Funding Proposal
Dear Ms. Rowan:
My name is Julian Soriano and I am currently an enrolled CSUN student studying Civil Engineering. As a civil engineer, it is part of my goal to make buildings safer, efficient, and affordable. Tiny houses have come to my attention when I heard of the great benefits it provides and the benefits it has on the environment. During my time at CSUN learning about civil engineering, what’s most important is finding cheap yet effective ways of building and constructing projects and a tiny house in particular would be a great start in being one of my first projects to begin with. Overtime, finding ways to construct buildings and houses at an affordable rate requires choosing the right type of materials to be used and with my expertise, I have compiled a very precisely quantified itemized budget of some of these cost effective materials to be used to construct this tiny house.
My interest in tiny house was introduced by watching a TV show that talked about tiny houses and the benefits it has. Living in a tiny house has that simplicity and effective use of space that most people need in their lives. Building a tiny house is nowhere near the price compared to a traditional house, which is why it has appealed to me to build one of my own. With it being extremely affordable, environmentally friendly, and simple, I, in turn have posed great interest in joining the tiny house movement.
In my proposed budget, I have listed necessary items needed to help my endeavors of constructing and building a 144 square foot tiny house. I request in an estimated amount of $15,000 to help aid in gaining materials necessary to create a tiny house. In that $15,000, a third of it will go to purchase a trailer, while the rest will be used in construction materials and interior necessities.
Once again, thank you for reading my budget proposal and if you have any further questions or comments in regard to my proposal please do not hesitate to contact me personally at my email: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Julian Soriano
777 Iggy Ave.
Azalea, Australia 90210
Ms. Kathy Rowan
Funding Director
Tiny House Association
4938 Filbert Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Subject: Tiny House Funding Proposal
Dear Ms. Rowan:
My name is Julian Soriano and I am currently an enrolled CSUN student studying Civil Engineering. As a civil engineer, it is part of my goal to make buildings safer, efficient, and affordable. Tiny houses have come to my attention when I heard of the great benefits it provides and the benefits it has on the environment. During my time at CSUN learning about civil engineering, what’s most important is finding cheap yet effective ways of building and constructing projects and a tiny house in particular would be a great start in being one of my first projects to begin with. Overtime, finding ways to construct buildings and houses at an affordable rate requires choosing the right type of materials to be used and with my expertise, I have compiled a very precisely quantified itemized budget of some of these cost effective materials to be used to construct this tiny house.
My interest in tiny house was introduced by watching a TV show that talked about tiny houses and the benefits it has. Living in a tiny house has that simplicity and effective use of space that most people need in their lives. Building a tiny house is nowhere near the price compared to a traditional house, which is why it has appealed to me to build one of my own. With it being extremely affordable, environmentally friendly, and simple, I, in turn have posed great interest in joining the tiny house movement.
In my proposed budget, I have listed necessary items needed to help my endeavors of constructing and building a 144 square foot tiny house. I request in an estimated amount of $15,000 to help aid in gaining materials necessary to create a tiny house. In that $15,000, a third of it will go to purchase a trailer, while the rest will be used in construction materials and interior necessities.
Once again, thank you for reading my budget proposal and if you have any further questions or comments in regard to my proposal please do not hesitate to contact me personally at my email: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Julian Soriano
777 Iggy Ave.
Azalea, Australia 90210
Literature Review
There has come an era in time where house prices are sky rocketing therefore putting people in an economical struggle and the only way around it was to build a literal, tiny house. The Tiny House Movement has been a hot topic in recent years due to it’s affordable, ease, and eco-friendly ideals. These houses tend to reach less than 200 square feet and may also be place or built on trailers for mobilization. Since tiny house living is very cost effective and economical, more and more people, such as I, would greatly take part in this movement.
According to a newsletter article, “Tiny House Movement Big with Those Seeking Economic Freedom”, from Tribune Publishing Company LLC by Nina Glinski, living in a tiny house can generate a steady flow of income while also living efficiently. Derek Diedricksen, one who has been interviewed by Glinski has said in support of economic gain, he “[earns] more than [he] [spends]” meaning, by living efficiently and using at hand resources, he does not have to buy costly, unnecessary things to fill in a traditional home.
In relevance to the spatial area that further supports the movement to tiny houses is this news report from Nightline ABC show called, “The Fight Over Los Angeles’s Giga Mansions”. In traditional homes, the space provided could sometimes be more than enough than what we really need and actually use. With the rise and constructing of Giga Mansions reaching over 50,000 square feet, it comes to mind how much space is wasted and not particularly used. This goes hand in hand in what Derek Diedricksen said in response to space, which is that people don’t want to “waste their time or be a slave to a house they don’t fully use”. Therefore by living in a tiny house, space is used more effectively and in a way that it doesn’t go to waste.
According to a newsletter article, “Tiny House Movement Big with Those Seeking Economic Freedom”, from Tribune Publishing Company LLC by Nina Glinski, living in a tiny house can generate a steady flow of income while also living efficiently. Derek Diedricksen, one who has been interviewed by Glinski has said in support of economic gain, he “[earns] more than [he] [spends]” meaning, by living efficiently and using at hand resources, he does not have to buy costly, unnecessary things to fill in a traditional home.
In relevance to the spatial area that further supports the movement to tiny houses is this news report from Nightline ABC show called, “The Fight Over Los Angeles’s Giga Mansions”. In traditional homes, the space provided could sometimes be more than enough than what we really need and actually use. With the rise and constructing of Giga Mansions reaching over 50,000 square feet, it comes to mind how much space is wasted and not particularly used. This goes hand in hand in what Derek Diedricksen said in response to space, which is that people don’t want to “waste their time or be a slave to a house they don’t fully use”. Therefore by living in a tiny house, space is used more effectively and in a way that it doesn’t go to waste.
In contrast to the debate of living in tiny houses comes a satirical show, Portlandia, that demeans the main purpose of living in a tiny house. Characters in the show poorly portrayed the simplicity and ease that tiny houses provide by over exaggerating the space ratio of what a tiny house truly is. For example, they would put additions to the house that would be placed poorly such as a toilet and desk (photo on left). Although the show may not be its intention to shame or offend those to live in tiny houses, but to express the difficulties and dangers it can possibly pose to some people, which is discussed and explained in an online article from treehugger.com.
An online article from treehugger.com called “Think about safety when you build tiny houses” by Lloyd Alter discusses how some tiny houses built don’t have enough safety when including a secondary floor to beds and lofts. Lloyd Alter says that “some if not all are lacking the safety features that all manufacturers must conform to” to suggest that not all tiny houses are up to code when it comes to safety and it can put endanger the wellbeing of others. The article further explains the correct use and placement of ladders and type of wood to be used especially in an unfortunate case of a fire. With the wood being in the interior, there are certain flame resistant spreads that should be used and tested before building a tiny house. Overall, there are standards and codes that tiny house builders must acknowledge and abide to, to achieve upmost safety in their tiny homes.
Overall, all these resources going for and against highlight the main ideas of tiny houses, as well as providing the great benefit it has. With cost effective houses that can create income for someone, safety issues that are now solved, and spatial difference that has been used to it’s full extent, tiny houses are the answer to living a economical and eco-friendly lifestyle.
An online article from treehugger.com called “Think about safety when you build tiny houses” by Lloyd Alter discusses how some tiny houses built don’t have enough safety when including a secondary floor to beds and lofts. Lloyd Alter says that “some if not all are lacking the safety features that all manufacturers must conform to” to suggest that not all tiny houses are up to code when it comes to safety and it can put endanger the wellbeing of others. The article further explains the correct use and placement of ladders and type of wood to be used especially in an unfortunate case of a fire. With the wood being in the interior, there are certain flame resistant spreads that should be used and tested before building a tiny house. Overall, there are standards and codes that tiny house builders must acknowledge and abide to, to achieve upmost safety in their tiny homes.
Overall, all these resources going for and against highlight the main ideas of tiny houses, as well as providing the great benefit it has. With cost effective houses that can create income for someone, safety issues that are now solved, and spatial difference that has been used to it’s full extent, tiny houses are the answer to living a economical and eco-friendly lifestyle.
Proposed Budget
Here is a breakdown to my proposed budget, I have include items that are necessary for me to have a fully functional tiny house to also give it a modernized look with the use of tiles and granite. In addition, some of the appliances I have added were found at very affordable prices such as the shower, sink and toilet. Some of the items proposed such as the TV are necessary for the entertainment it would provide and a complete flush look that it gives overall to the tiny house. Insulation and heating will not be a problem with this tiny house in particular. Lastly, I have included the $5000 18x8 trailer, which will be used as the foundation to my tiny house in order for it to be mobile and shy away of the regulations, and standards that traditional houses must abide to. Constructing and building this tiny house will be a great feat due to its economic standpoint and with my expertise; I will make it a very safe yet modern tiny house. All in all, I believe this is a reasonable and necessary budget for me to get started in the construction and hopeful completion of my tiny house.
Conclusion
Living and being part of the tiny house movement is ultimately a great idea when one is in an economic struggle or for one who just wants to live a simple lifestyle at an affordable cost. There are great and notable benefits to living in a tiny house such as it being eco-friendly, economical, and most of all, mobile. Some added benefits that add to the appeal and superiority of tiny houses are that it isn’t required as a house, which therefore ignores some of the laws and fees, such as mortgage that most traditional houses, have. To make it even more economical, heating and cooling of the house is much cheaper due to the amount of space that would be required to be heated or cooled. Most importantly, the main purpose in a tiny house is to build a name for one. Some people are reported to live happier in a tiny house because of the amount of time people have to spare and the overall. Having a mobile tiny house in particular can make one’s life be fuller to an extent that home will be wherever it follows. By having that mobilization, going to hotspot places and parks hasn’t been easier with the use of tiny houses. Being part of this tiny house movement is so important for me because everyday has been a very repetitive routine and with having a tiny house at hand, home will be anywhere I go and new adventures can follow.
Overall, I believe that my proposed budget request of approximately $15,000 should be approved and funded because of its affordability and low price point. The materials I have chosen are very cheap but they are also good to support a tiny house. One of the main ideas of a tiny house is that it should be cheap and affordable, and by purchasing overpriced appliances, furniture, and such, that idea of a tiny house is soon not relevant. This is why my price point in building a tiny house is very low, because I want to maintain that idea of having a cheap and affordable house with its necessities and without excessive and unnecessary clutter that other houses may have. Compared to other tiny houses out there that can have a price over and between $20,000-$50,000 dollars, my price point budget falls below that which makes it very cost effective. It is also important to note that this is a 144 square foot tiny house which is sometimes bigger than usual tiny houses that are much more expensive, makes the amount I request a much more reasonable and considerable amount.
Thank you again for giving me this opportunity to be apart of the Tiny House Movement and THA and hopefully take into consideration the proposed budget I have requested.
Word Count: 1665.
Overall, I believe that my proposed budget request of approximately $15,000 should be approved and funded because of its affordability and low price point. The materials I have chosen are very cheap but they are also good to support a tiny house. One of the main ideas of a tiny house is that it should be cheap and affordable, and by purchasing overpriced appliances, furniture, and such, that idea of a tiny house is soon not relevant. This is why my price point in building a tiny house is very low, because I want to maintain that idea of having a cheap and affordable house with its necessities and without excessive and unnecessary clutter that other houses may have. Compared to other tiny houses out there that can have a price over and between $20,000-$50,000 dollars, my price point budget falls below that which makes it very cost effective. It is also important to note that this is a 144 square foot tiny house which is sometimes bigger than usual tiny houses that are much more expensive, makes the amount I request a much more reasonable and considerable amount.
Thank you again for giving me this opportunity to be apart of the Tiny House Movement and THA and hopefully take into consideration the proposed budget I have requested.
Word Count: 1665.
Works Cited
Alter, Llyod. “Think about Safety When You Build Tiny Houses.” TreeHugger. TreeHugger, 22 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
Bel Air Homeowners Alliance. “The Fight Over Los Angeles's Giga Mansions.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 14 Feb. 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
Glinski, Nina. “Tiny House Movement Big with those Seeking Economic Freedom.” South Florida Sun – Sentinal. Jul 13 2014. ProQuest. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
IFC. “Portlandia | Microhouse | IFC.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 24 Feb. 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
Bel Air Homeowners Alliance. “The Fight Over Los Angeles's Giga Mansions.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 14 Feb. 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
Glinski, Nina. “Tiny House Movement Big with those Seeking Economic Freedom.” South Florida Sun – Sentinal. Jul 13 2014. ProQuest. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
IFC. “Portlandia | Microhouse | IFC.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 24 Feb. 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.