Tiny House FAQ’s

Yes! Our homes are designed for four-season, full-time living. We use high-performance insulation, durable materials, and efficient heating and cooling systems to ensure year-round comfort. Whether you’re in a cold climate or a hot one, our designs maintain a stable indoor environment.

It depends on local zoning laws and regulations. Many areas allow tiny homes as ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), and RV-certified models can often be placed in RV parks. Our modular models can also be installed as a primary residence or cottage or an individual property. We recommend checking with your municipality or county about long-term living options. Our team can provide guidance and documentation to support your application.

We start by understanding your needs through an inquiry form or direct consultation. You’ll choose between a standard model or a custom design. After a detailed quote and contract, we require a deposit to secure your build slot. The build typically takes 5–8 weeks, and we keep you updated throughout. Once complete, we arrange delivery or pickup, and you’re ready to enjoy your new tiny home!

Yes! We offer a  3 years manufacturer’s warranty covering structural integrity, materials, and any work done by our team. Each system/equipment/appliance had its own manufacturer warranty; all the instructions and documents are provided upon delivery. We build our homes to last, so maintenance is minimal and issues are rare.

Pricing varies by model and customization. Our smaller models start around CAD $100,000, while larger or fully custom models can exceed CAD $200,000. We provide transparent pricing and can work with you to find a solution within your budget.

Whether you are looking for a model on wheels or on foundation, financing is possible for our tiny homes. Models on wheels are typically financed through RV loans and models on foundation can qualify for a regular mortgage, depending on the nature of your project. Check out our Financing options for Canada or Financing options for the USA here.

Consider the following questions:

• Where will your tiny home be located?
• What services are available on the land?
• If you don't have land yet, where do you plan to settle?
• How frequently do you intend to move your tiny house?
• What is your budget?
• What are your needs and desires?
• What compromises are you willing to make?

These answers are vital for both you and Minimaliste, aiding in the design of your tiny house. Given the limited space, understanding your essentials is crucial for satisfaction in your new environment. Certain elements, such as structural components and HVAC systems, are non-negotiable due to their impact on the building's integrity and resale value. It's important to account for these factors from the outset, as they need to be incorporated into your budget.

For more information, visit Minimaliste's contact page.

Begin by completing the form on Minimaliste's website, providing detailed information about your needs and personal situation. Upon reviewing this information, they will contact you to determine the appropriate approach, whether it's selecting an existing model or embarking on a custom project. If the provided quote meets your expectations, the next steps involve signing a sales contract and reserving a slot in their construction schedule. The construction of a tiny house on wheels typically takes between 5 to 8 weeks, depending on the project's complexity and scale. Timelines may also be influenced by material choices and their availability.

Since its inception in 2015, Minimaliste has evolved significantly. The complexity of their initial models provided substantial experience in tiny house construction. Feedback from customers living in their homes has facilitated continuous improvement. Quebec's extreme climate, ranging from -30 to +30 degrees Celsius, necessitates designing high-performance buildings capable of withstanding such variations. Their units adhere to strict building standards, with expertise in structure, insulation, and systems specific to tiny dwellings. Utilizing quality materials and meticulous attention to detail ensures long-term durability. All processes are managed internally, allowing for optimal quality control.

The delivery process depends if the model is on wheels or modular (no wheels). For models on wheels, the carrier will simply bring the tiny house from point A to point B and the installation will be just like a recreationnal vehicle. The price per mile or kilometer will depend if the model is 8ft wide (travel trailer size) or 10ft wide (park model size). For models on foundation, the unit will be placed on a flatbed trailer, then brought to the client's property and installed on the foundation (helical piles or concrete crawl space) with a crane or specialized equipment.

Sustainable tiny houses are constructed using materials and techniques that ensure longevity. Minimaliste aims to simplify home maintenance, enabling homeowners to undertake upkeep using traditional renovation methods. Sustainability also encompasses minimizing ecological footprints. Their factory construction process reduces waste, and the compact size combined with superior insulation leads to lower heating and electricity costs.

Before investing in an off-grid system, it's essential to assess your actual need for autonomy. Pursuing self-sufficiency without a genuine requirement can consume a significant portion of your budget, potentially diverting funds from other essential areas. Moreover, infrequent use of such systems can lead to unnecessary battery degradation. If an off-grid setup aligns with your needs, various options are available. It's also crucial to determine the availability of services on your land. For more insights, refer to Minimaliste's blog article on self-sufficient housing.

Depending on the size of your home and local laws, you may need a special license or permit. Check regulations in your area.

Most Minimaliste tiny homes require a heavy-duty truck for delivery due to their weight. The only model that is safe to move around on your own, with no special license, is the Nomad model (8ft wide). You need at least a 3/4 ton truck and also proper experience in order to safely move your Nomad model.

No, zoning laws vary by location. Some areas allow tiny homes in RV parks, private land, or special tiny home communities.

Yes! Our tiny homes on wheels meet RVIA or NOAH certification standards, ensuring they are safe and road-legal.

Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs and must be registered with your local DMV or vehicle license office. We help guide you through the process.

While it is not recommend to do so in order to avoid higher costs, it is possible to add space to a modular home in the future or to connect to units together for a bigger living space.

Actually, modular homes are often built stronger than regular homes, due to the fact that they will be lifted and transported to the installation site. Also, factory made modular homes are built in a controlled environment, sheltered from the elements, which guarantees a much better quality control.

Minimaliste modular homes can be placed on concrete crawl space foundation, pier foundations, helical piles or full basements, depending on your location and needs.

Yes, they must meet local building codes and zoning regulations. We help you navigate the permit process.

A modular tiny home is placed on a foundation and follows traditional building codes, making it a permanent structure. A tiny home on wheels is built on a trailer and meets RV standards, offering mobility. Both are well-insulated and energy-efficient, but the choice depends on whether you want a home that stays put or one that can move.

We offer solar power, composting/incinerating toilets, holding tank options, etc on the Nomad models only. If you plan on geing off-grid with one of our modular homes OR one of our park model size model on wheels, you need to have an off-grid setup installed on your property, then connect our tiny house to it.

All of our models are built to withstand extreme weather. It is important for the off-grid setup to be powerful enough to be able to properly feed the tiny home, not matter the weather. We recommend having a backup generator if you plan on going off-grid, since not all climates are ideal for solar panels.

Solar panels, battery banks, and propane generators are common solutions for powering an off-grid Minimaliste home.

If you are installing a tiny house on wheels on your property like you would do with a regular RV, you typically pay property taxes only for the land and not the tiny home on wheels itself.

Loan terms vary from 5 to 25 years, depending on the financing plan and type of tiny home you’re purchasing.

Down payments typically range from 5-20% of the total cost, depending on your credit and the financing option you choose.

Yes! We partner with lenders to provide financing solutions, including personal loans, RV loans, and mortgage-style options.

While we don’t offer in-house financing, we work with lenders familiar with tiny home loans. Most buyers use RV loans (for on-wheels models), personal loans, or home equity financing. If your tiny home is placed on a foundation, a mortgage or construction loan might be an option. We provide all necessary documentation to help streamline the process.