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What does the kit include?

Although the image on the website displays a fully furnished home, the kit only includes the steel frame and the necessary components for assembling.

The company notes the steel frame is fire resistant, corrosion resistant, recyclable and “not affected by termites, mold, rodents, or bugs.” It’s also apparently resilient to extreme weather and fires.

Outside of the steel frame and components, the home kit package price also includes the cost of delivery, preliminary design plans, engineering plans and framing calculations.

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What extra costs are involved?

Here’s the catch: Home Depot lists the tiny home kit as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and cabin guest house on its website. Like with any tiny home, this means you’re going to need some land first.

You could install the structure on an existing property like a backyard — if you have one. But before building, you’ll need to take the preliminary plans to your local authority to get a permit first.

Home service marketplace Angi estimates the average cost of a building permit is around $1,350, but this can vary depending on where you live.

If you’re building your tiny home in California, the permit could cost you between $10 to $12 per square foot. A 540-square-foot ADU will cost between $5,400 and $6,480.

As an upgrade option, you can get the deck and flooring system, but you’ll also need to buy things like doors, windows and finishes — not to mention furniture and decor.

Then there are the plumbing, electricity and HVAC costs — which could tack on thousands more to your total.

Read more

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Serah Louis is a reporter with Moneywise.com. She enjoys tackling topical personal finance issues for young people and women and covering the latest in financial news.

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