Property in Australia can be extremely expensive, which makes it difficult to get into the housing market. With real estate prices skyrocketing, there has been a demand for affordable housing.
Cue the tiny house movement. A lot of people have turned towards storage sheds for housing.
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Now, you might think a shed is a simple storage unit, but by converting a shed, or building a shed from scratch, you can have your own tiny house for a low cost.
Read on for more information about living in a shed, and how a shed house can benefit you and your family.
The Benefits of a Shed House
Here are a few reasons why a shed house is a better choice than a typical house.
More affordable
In Australia, a small house can cost you $100,000 to build. Tiny houses – especially shed homes – cost about $10,000 or less to build.
Most Australians with full-time employment who live frugally should be able to save this amount within just a few years, making it a viable housing option for many.
If you build your own shed, you will also save on labour costs. By building a shed house, you can avoid mortgage payments or monthly rent, and the maintenance cost of a shed is lower than a house, making it a cost-effective housing solution.
Excellent addition to your living space
If you already have a home with a large outdoor area, then a shed house is a great living space addition.
The shed house can be used to store things or can provide extra space when guests come over. It can be used as an outdoor office, guest room, a place to store garden tools, and a getaway space to just relax – all in one!
Very fast to build
Shed houses have many practical benefits, the biggest being that they are very easy and quick to build. You can buy a prefab shed house, or a shed kit that contains all the materials you would need.
If you are building from scratch, your shed home could take a few weeks to build (if you are only able to build on weekends and after work), however, it is still much shorter than the months needed to build a brick house.
Does not take up a lot of space
One of the most talked-about benefits of living in a shed is the small space the shed takes up. A shed home will only require a couple of hundred square feet, and because of their small size, they also use less electricity and water.
Shed homes can be built to be mobile, which means you can move them onto the property of friends if they have the space available, and simply link up to their water and electricity.
How Much Do Shed Homes Cost?
Prices will vary, depending on the size and materials of your shed home. You can expect to pay anything from $1,000 to $30,000.
This is more affordable than most tiny homes, and much more affordable than a traditional house.
Is it Legal to Live in a Shed Home in Australia?
It is legal to live in a shed home if you have the required permits. The permitting requirements and legal regulations will depend on the zoning of the property you plan to locate your shed house.
Permits are also determined by the site and the design of the house. It is best to consult your local council to make sure whether your shed house would be permissible or not.
To Build or To Buy?
If you want a shed home, but you are conflicted between whether you should build it yourself or buy a prefab shed, ask yourself these questions:
- What can I afford? Your budget will determine whether you can build or buy a shed home.
- What skills do I have? If you have a broad range of DIY skills, then it is a great idea to build the shed yourself. However, if you think you will need a lot of DIY advice, then perhaps consider buying a ready-built shed.
- What will my shed be used for? A simple outdoor structure with basic components will be easy to build yourself. If you plan on spending lots of time in your shed and using it as a home, then perhaps buying it would be the best option and place less demand on your time and resources.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of benefits to living in a shed. Sheds are affordable, quick to build, and can be customised to be a comfortable forever home for you and your family.
