Budget

Everyone is quick to warn that big DIY projects like tiny houses often go over budget, over time, or over both. I am super fortunate that time is not a major limiting factor; I'd like to finish everything by the beginning of summer, 2015, but if I don't it's no big deal because my family has my back in terms of food and shelter. Again--I'm super fortunate. My budget, however, is a little more strictly limited.

I hope to stay within a $20,000-22,000 budget to at least get my house to a liveable condition. To me, a livable condition means:
- dried in with roof, windows, and door
- exterior finished and looks presentable
- plumbing and electrical installed
- countertops, cabinet, bathroom wall, and lofts built
- basic appliances and fixtures purchased and installed

Non-essential items like decorative light fixtures and interior finishing details like flooring can come later, once I refill my coffers a bit.

I'll keep this page updated with my expenses as I go--for my own recordkeeping as well as for the information of any readers who might pass through. That said, dear reader, please note that pricing changes with time, location, and supplier, and I purchased some of my materials on sale or with a coupon. Don't take my expenses list as gospel!

Trailer: 
  $3,930

TOOLS/MISC.:
Caulk gun: 
  $10.41
Impact driver:
  $96.67
Planer rental:
  $5.43
Dust masks:
  $19.50
Trailer licensing and registration: 
  $363.50

Windows (seven; vinyl, Energy Star-rated; one window large enough to meet egress requirements):
  $748.48

Entry door (one; prehung, fiberglass, with glass):
  $238.27

Lumber for subfloor (160 linear feet of kiln-dried, untreated Douglas-fir 2x6):
  $112.16

Joist hangers for subfloor frame:
  $38.54

Joist hanger nails (3 lbs):
  $10.71

Subfloor plywood (six 4'x8' sheets of 3/4" CDX):
  $209.49

Undercarriage plywood (six 4'x8' sheets of 3/8" CDX):
  $119.85

Primer/sealer (1 gallon of Kilz 2 Latex Primer Sealer)
  $21.69 

Tyvek housewrap (one 9'x150' roll):
  $155.26

House wrap tape (three rolls):
  $34.33

Lumber for sill plate (70 linear feet kiln-dried, untreated Douglas-fir 2x4)
  $32.30
 
Sill Seal (seven 50' rolls, 3.5" and 5.5" wide):
  $37.65

Floor insulation (four packages of 5.5" Roxul mineral wool, ~40 square feet each):
  $172.65

Vapor barrier (one package of 4-mil plastic sheeting, 8'x100')
  $35.13

Construction adhesive (five 28-oz tubes--I expect to buy more as I go!):
  $22.26

Spray foam insulation (five 12-oz cans--again, I'll pick up more later):
  $25.64

Deck screws (2 lbs 1.5", 4 lbs 2.5")
  $50.60

Bolts and accessories for floor box (16 5.5" long 5/8" carriage bolts, plus nuts, washers, and a small tube of thread-locking glue)
   $34.71

Plumbing drain line (10' of 2" ABS and 2 elbow fittings)
  $21.08

Strapping for drain lines
  $3.55

Bathroom exhaust fan (yeah, I already bought my bathroom exhaust fan...):
  $13.64

RUNNING TOTAL: $6,563.52 

NOT INCLUDED:
 - Cost of outfitting our vehicle to tow the trailer
 - Gas and other expenses for trips to pick up materials
 - Work clothes and gloves
 - Tools and accessories that Dad needed to buy/replace anyway
 - Tiny house books and workshops
 - Internet service to research tiny houses and building instructions
 - Food to feed myself and my helpers during building
 - ...