[Image: courtesy Haus.me]
Building a backyard cottage can be expensive: In the San Francisco Bay Area, for example, even a small accessory dwelling unit (ADU) might cost more than $200,000. And getting permits can take months.
Several startups are working on shrinking the cost and permitting timeline, but one tiny house goes especially far. The Microhaus, with a base model that starts at $35,000, is designed to avoid needing any permits at all.
“This is the fastest housing solution in the world,” says Max Gerbut, cofounder and CEO of Haus.me, the company making the factory-built Microhaus. The tiny structure, at only 120 square feet, isn’t intended for long-term housing. But for someone who wants to rent out space on Airbnb for extra income, it’s designed to be particularly easy to install.
First, the diminutive size means that in most jurisdictions it’s considered an accessory structure and doesn’t require a permit. The company dug through regulations across the country to find ways for the design to avoid other features that would trigger a permit.
Unlike a typical house, it doesn’t require a foundation—another factor that would normally require permitting. The startup uses an extra-strong, fire-resistant polymer composite material for the walls instead of typical wood construction. (The founders previously used the same material in a startup called PassivDom that began selling off-grid tiny houses in Europe; Haus.me spun off as a new company.) The strength of the material means that it doesn’t need a foundation for stability. The company says it’s strong enough to withstand a Category 5 hurricane or an earthquake; it’s also strong enough that it’s technically possible to stack another tiny house on top, or carry a heavy load of snow.
It’s built to be ultra-efficient, so it uses little energy for heating, cooling, or lighting. A homeowner installing a Microhaus in their backyard can plug it into an extension cord, rather than needing a permit for a new electrical connection. Efficient appliances use little water, and the house can be hooked up to a backyard hose. Like an RV, the tiny house has a sewage hose that can be connected to a black water tank or the city sewer system. It has large windows for natural light, with curtains for privacy if it’s built in a backyard.
For an extra $9,990, it’s possible to go off the grid, with solar panels, battery backup, a water tank, and a composting toilet. (Note that many areas do have restrictions on composting toilets—if you’re considering buying one of these, you’ll have to research what’s actually allowed where you live.)
The startup also offers pricier versions of the same house. The basic version is designed for mild climates like California, so you’d have to pay more for extra insulation if you have cold winters. A “Pro” option, at $89,000, is built to be ready for use, with everything from a Murphy bed and kitchenette to internet and every other detail that guests would need, including towels. Separately, the company offers larger off-the-grid houses, starting at $199,000 and $399,000, that could serve as full-time homes.
Currently, workers assemble the houses in a factory in Southern California; the company is planning to open a second factory in Florida. (Delivering the house can cost thousands more depending on your location.) Haus.me started installing the Microhaus in a handful of states this year, and Gerbut says it has hundreds of orders for 2025. The actual installation process is simple. “A truck comes to your backyard with a crane and unloads it and hooks it up in 15 minutes,” Gerbut says. “And you’re ready to go”.
Fonte Fast Company
