Living tiny can feel like a dream come true when it’s done right. But deciding between a tiny home kit and a fully built park model tiny home can leave you with a few questions. What’s the difference between the two? How much can you customize? And which option makes the most sense for the way you plan to use your home? In this blog, we’ll break down the differences between tiny home kits and park model tiny homes to help you find the right fit for your needs.
What is the difference between a Tiny Home Kit and a park model tiny home?
A tiny home kit and a park model tiny home differ in one major way: what’s finished when the project is delivered.
With a tiny home kit, you’re often taking on a large part of the project yourself. You may receive a tiny house shell, an unfinished shed cabin, or a storage container with the basic structure in place. From there, the rest of the work is up to you, including finishing the interior, installing utilities, and making the space livable.
A park model tiny home is a different experience. These homes are delivered ready to use, so you can enjoy your space without taking on the rest of the construction project yourself. You choose the home that fits your needs, and it arrives ready for you to make it your own.
It’s also important to know that not every towable tiny home on wheels is a park model tiny home. Another popular option is a NOAH tiny home. While NOAH tiny homes can look similar to park model tiny homes, they are built to different requirements. We break down the differences in our blog, Park Model Tiny Home vs. NOAH Tiny Homes.
Spoiler alert: All of the homes Zook Cabins offers are built to park model tiny home standards, so you get a finished home without taking on the bulk of the construction yourself.
Are all tiny home kits the same?
No, not all tiny home kits are the same. There are 3 main styles of tiny home kits. Sheds, noah shells, and steel framed. Each one of these can actually be a great option if you aren’t going for ht epark model tiny home route.
Tiny Home Shed Shells
A tiny home shed shell is just that, a shed that you convert into a tiny home. In the video above, this customer received a blank canvas and took on the rest of the project himself, including the electrical, plumbing, and other finish work.
If you have the experience and enjoy taking on projects like this, it can be a fun way to create a tiny home that’s truly your own. But it’s important to remember that these projects can involve a lot more work than they may look like in a video. What this customer makes look simple takes time, skill, and plenty of hands-on work.
Tiny Home On Wheels Shell
Tiny home shells on wheels are a bit of a unique option. You’re essentially buying a half-finished project on purpose, with the expectation that you’ll take it from there. But even then, there are a couple of ways this can work. You could purchase someone else’s unfinished tiny home project, or you could start with the bare bones and buy a shell that you’ll finish yourself.
As you can see in the video above, starting with a shell can come with its own challenges. In this case, even transferring the title of the shell created an unexpected hurdle. It’s a good reminder that there’s more to consider than just the cost of the structure itself when you’re taking on a project like this.
Steel Framed
Steel-framed tiny homes and shipping container tiny homes are popular choices because they can feel like the “most completed” option among these half-finished projects. However, the opposite can actually be true. While they may arrive looking like there is more of the home already in place, there can still be a significant amount of work left to do.
As you can see in the video above, there are plenty of customization options, but many of them require a fair amount of know-how to complete. What looks like a nearly finished tiny home can quickly become a much bigger project once you start tackling the electrical, plumbing, insulation, interior finishes, and other details yourself.
What is bigger: a park model tiny home or a tiny home kit?
It’s hard to say which is bigger when comparing tiny home kits and park model tiny homes. In reality, park model tiny homes cannot exceed 400 square feet and still qualify as a park model tiny home. The same 400-square-foot limit applies to NOAH-certified tiny homes. Shipping container tiny homes can be even smaller, with a standard 40-foot container offering around 320 square feet.
But if you choose a shed tiny home kit, you may be surprised by the sizes available. For example, Stoltzfus Structures can build sheds up to 672 square feet.
So, it really comes down to what matters most to you. If you want to maximize size and flexibility in your design, a shed tiny home kit may be the better option. If you want to maximize convenience and start with a finished, high-end home, a park model tiny home will likely be the better fit for your needs.
Is it easier to find a tiny home kit or park model tiny home with multiple bedrooms?
This is a bit nuanced. You can find park model tiny homes with two bedrooms and even a loft space that can function like a third sleeping area, such as our Cascade and Pinecrest models.
With a tiny home kit, you have more flexibility when it comes to the layout and can choose how many rooms you want in your home. Since many tiny home kits can reach around 800 square feet, you could create a layout with more than two bedrooms if that works best for you.
The tradeoff is cost. The more rooms and bedrooms you add, the more your project is likely to cost. If you are looking for a simpler, more affordable way to fit two bedrooms into a smaller footprint, a park model may be the better option.
What is more customizable a tiny home kit or a park model tiny home?
Generally speaking, a tiny home kit is going to give you more flexibility than a park model tiny home. You have the opportunity to make more decisions about your layout, including interior wall placement, room count, and room sizes.
But more choices are not always better. Having complete control over the layout can quickly lead to analysis paralysis. Sometimes, it is helpful to have a floor plan already designed for you, so you can spend less time trying to figure out where every room should go and more time focusing on what you actually want from your home. This is where park model tiny homes excel: quality building, turn key and ready to go.
Which one is usually more turnkey: tiny home kits or park model tiny homes?
Park model tiny homes tend to be much more turnkey than tiny home kits. To qualify as a park model, the home must be completely finished and built to the ANSI 119.5 standard.
Tiny home kits, on the other hand, do not have to meet a specific national construction standard simply because they are sold as a kit. That means the level of completion and construction can vary significantly from one kit to another.
For you as the buyer, that distinction matters. A park model gives you a finished home built to an established standard, while a tiny home kit can leave more of the construction and finishing decisions in your hands.
What Is faster to build a park model tiny home or a tiny home kit?
Here’s the thing both park model tiny homes and tiny home kits have similar lead time a few weeks toa few months. It all comes down to how many jobs are going at specific time as to when your project will be in queue.
Here at Zook Cabins, it typically takes just a few months to build your park model tiny home. When it arrives, it is completely finished and ready for you to move into. Just have a prepared site and utilities and you are ready to go.
On the other hand A tiny home kit can take a similar amount of time to get to you, but there is still plenty of work left to do. Once you have the kit, you are responsible for finishing out the rest of the home.
That means the timeline may look similar on paper, but what you are getting at the end of that timeline is very different.
With a park model you hav e a move in ready home witha tiny home kit the project is just beginning.
Which has stricter building standards: Park Model Tiny Homes or Tiny Home Kits?
Park model tiny homes have a defined building standard they must meet, while tiny home kits can vary depending on the company you purchase from.
Park models are built to the standards required to qualify as an RV park model, giving you an established set of requirements for how the home is constructed. Tiny home kits, on the other hand, do not have one universal construction standard simply because they are sold as a kit.
That difference matters when you are deciding what to buy. With a tiny home kit, you need to look closely at what is included, how the home is constructed, and what standards the builder follows. You are responsible for making sure the kit you purchase meets your expectations and the requirements of your project.
With a park model, you have an established construction standard that gives you a clearer idea of what you are getting and what to expect from the finished home.
Do Tiny Home Kits or Park Model Tiny Homes Require a Foundation?
It depends on the code your home is built to and how your local regulations classify it.
Park model tiny homes are not required to have a permanent foundation. We recommend placing yours on a gravel pad or concrete slab to give your home a stable, finished base.
Tiny home kits can be different. For example, a shed-style tiny home kit may require a permanent foundation if you plan to use it as a residence. Because these requirements can vary from one location to another, it is always best to check with your local zoning board before starting your project.
To make that process a little easier, check out our regulations page. We have compiled information on tiny home regulations across the lower 48 states, helping you get a better idea of what is and is not allowed in your area.
Is it easier to get permitting for a tiny home kit or a park model tiny home?
Generally speaking, permitting a park model tiny home can be a little more straightforward than permitting a tiny home kit.
Park models are built to an established standard, which gives local officials a defined set of requirements to review. Tiny home kits can be more complicated because there is no single construction standard that applies to every kit. The requirements can depend on how the kit is built, how you plan to use it, and what your local regulations require.
Is it easier to connect tiny home kits or park model tiny homes to utilities?
Connecting either type of home to your utilities can take about the same amount of work. The difference is what you are working with when it is time to make those connections.
Park model tiny homes are built to an established code that includes requirements for plumbing and electrical systems. That means when your electrician or plumber arrives, the home has already been built with those systems in mind, making the final utility connections much more straightforward.
With a tiny home kit, the process can be different. Depending on the kit and how it was built, you may have additional work to bring the home up to the standards required for residential use. If you know what you are doing, that may be manageable, but figuring it all out on your own can add significant time, cost, and complexity to the project.
And when it comes to electrical work, this is not an area where you want to learn as you go. Improperly installed electrical systems can create serious safety hazards, which is why we recommend working with a qualified professional for your home’s electrical connections.
Are Park Model Tiny Homes More Affordable than Tiny Home Kits?
Generally speaking, a park model tiny home is not going to be less expensive than a tiny home kit. The reason is pretty simple: tiny home kits typically cost less upfront because much of the finishing work is left up to you.
A park model tiny home costs more upfront, but you are paying for a finished, turnkey home. Instead of spending additional time finishing walls, installing systems, and completing the interior yourself, your home arrives ready to use.
So while a tiny home kit may have the lower starting price, a park model can give you a much more finished product without taking on all of the work yourself. It also prevents material and scope creep, as everything has been given a set price.
Is it easier to finance a park model tiny home or a tiny home kit?
Financing a park model tiny home can be easier than financing a tiny home kit because lenders are generally more familiar with park models and how they are classified.
A park model may not qualify for a traditional home mortgage, but that does not mean you are on your own. Here at Zook Cabins, our finance team can help you explore the loan options available for your project and find the financing solution that makes the most sense for you.
With a tiny home kit, your financing options may be more limited. You may need to work with the kit company’s financing program or consider options such as rent-to-own. Neither option is necessarily a bad one. In fact, a rent-to-own program can be a helpful option for buyers who may have difficulty qualifying for traditional financing. However, these programs can come with higher interest rates and additional fees, so it is important to understand the total cost before you commit.
So when it comes to financing, a park model tiny home may give you more traditional options, while a tiny home kit may require you to get a little more creative with how you pay for it.
Are Park Model Tiny Homes or Tiny Home Kits Easier To Insure?
Park model tiny homes are generally easier to insure because many insurance companies are familiar with them and offer coverage through RV or mobile home insurance policies.
Tiny home kits can be a little trickier because insurance options depend heavily on the type of kit you purchase and how you plan to use it. If the tiny home is located on a property with a primary residence, you may be able to insure it as an outbuilding or additional structure under your existing homeowners policy.
If your tiny home kit does not fit neatly into one of those categories, you may need to work with an insurance agent who specializes in alternative or non-traditional homes. They can help you find a policy that fits the way your tiny home is built and how you plan to use it.
So while insurance is not necessarily impossible with a tiny home kit, park model tiny homes tend to have a clearer path to coverage.
Are Tiny Home Kits or Park Model Tiny Homes Easier To Move?
Tiny home kits may be easier to move, depending on their size and how they are built. For example, the standard road width for tow-behind campers is 8 feet 6 inches. If your tiny home kit stays within standard towing dimensions and your vehicle is capable of safely towing it, you may be able to move it without the same permitting requirements as a larger home.
Park models are a little different. Because they are typically wider and larger than standard tow-behind campers, moving one will generally require special permits, proper equipment, and transportation planning.
So if being able to move your tiny home easily is a priority, the size and design of the home can make a big difference. A smaller tiny home kit may give you more flexibility, while a park model is better suited to being placed and enjoyed in one location.
Is there a better resale market for Tiny home kits or park model tiny homes?
Generally speaking, park model tiny homes tend to have a stronger resale market than tiny home kits. One of the biggest reasons is that a park model is a finished, move-in-ready home, so a potential buyer can see exactly what they are getting.
With a tiny home kit, resale value can depend heavily on how far along the project is. If you are selling a basic shell, you are asking the next buyer to see the potential in your plans and take on much of the work themselves. That can make finding the right buyer more difficult.
But if the framing, layout, and major construction are already in place, the story can be very different. A buyer may be able to look at the home and see that it already fits what they need, with only the finishing work left to do.
So when it comes to resale, a park model gives you a more predictable finished product, while the value of a tiny home kit can change significantly depending on how much of the project has already been done.
Conclusion…
In most of our blog posts, we try to give you a straightforward answer about which product might be the best fit for you. This one is a little different because there really is not a right or wrong answer.
It comes down to one simple question: Do you want a turnkey, ready-to-use park model tiny home, or do you want a project that you can customize and finish yourself?
Neither choice is wrong. It is simply a matter of deciding how much of a project you want to take on.
If you decide a park model tiny home is the best fit for you, we’re here and ready to help. At Zook Cabins, we’d love to help you find the right model for your needs.
