Living small doesn’t mean you can’t be creative with architecture.
Greg Parham, who owns Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses in Durango, Colorado, shows that even the roofs of tiny houses can be unique.
He believes that a roof’s design does more than just protect the inside of the house—it’s a place where imagination can soar.
We talked to Greg recently to learn more about how he builds tiny houses and his experiences living in one.
Here’s what he told us:
What types of tiny homes do you offer and how much do they cost?
We create each tiny home to be unique, although some customers start with an existing design and change it a bit to save money.
The prices usually range from $30,000 to $100,000, with the average cost around $58,000.
Which model is the most popular and why do people like it so much? What inspired its design?
The Boulder is very popular because it was the first house we built, and it was quite unique when it came out.
However, the Pequod is the model that gets the most enthusiastic feedback.
We designed the Pequod based on what the customer wanted and needed, and we also tried to stretch the limits of tiny house design a bit.
Here’s the Boulder:
And the whimsical Pequod:
What design features do you really like and why?
We are especially proud of our unique roof shapes. Roofs must protect the house from weather, fit the inside design, handle road travel, and look good.
I believe the roof shape is the most important part of a tiny house where you can really use your imagination.
Many people are building their own tiny houses, even without design or building experience. As a professional, what advice would you give them?
Study hard by reading books and watching videos on the topic. You might also want to buy courses or go to workshops.
If you can, get help from friends or family who know about building. Be ready for the building process to take three to four times longer than you expect.
Here’s the Stanley:
Have you ever thought about living in a tiny house yourself?
Yes, the first tiny house I built is the one I live in today. The best part is having no mortgage and no utility bills.
Tell us one surprising secret about living in a tiny house.
Living in a tiny house isn’t for everyone. I can often tell right away if it won’t suit someone.
Some people get caught up in the trend and the TV shows about tiny houses. I try to talk them out of it if I think they won’t be happy later.
It’s better for them to stay happy and not stress about selling their tiny house to get their money back.
I prefer not to sell a house than to have unhappy customers later on.
Here’s the Voight model:
