What is a Tiny Home?
There are lots of possible differences to think about, especially when the term “tiny home” itself has different interpretations. For the purpose of this article I want to talk about different distinctions in the tiny home world as far as what that actually might look like, what someone might refer to as a tiny home or tiny living that could cause confusion, and what sets Humble Bee Builds apart.
Let’s talk about what a tiny home is… Is it an RV? Is it a converted travel trailer? What about a modular home? Those things are pretty small, and might constitute a tiny home to some, but none of them bring to mind a sense of space or luxury, two things we don’t believe you need to sacrifice in your pursuit of living small.
Importantly, a tiny home is not an RV or travel trailer. While all Humble Bee Builds homes are built on trailers and can be pulled behind a heavy duty pickup, they are not designed or intended for road trips or camping excursions (Consult our FAQ for more information on transporting a tiny home.). But one purpose of a tiny home is to reduce our footprint and increase the sustainability of our living needs, and so our homes are built to be taken with you when you move to a new community or location.
For example, consider the snowbird population, people, often older adults, who choose to migrate south during the colder months. “Why couldn’t they have something a little bit more elevated than an RV?” Dennis (HBB owner/designer/builder) remarked. “Why couldn’t they experience the luxuries of a well established home after a career or whole life’s work? Just because they want to be able to live somewhere warm in the winter and perhaps move that home back to Canada with them shouldn’t mean they can’t live in a space they are proud of and comfortable in and that supports their greatest vision for retirement.”
Why are Humble Bee homes different?
Something that sets Humble Bee designs apart is the consideration that went into the homeowner’s maintenance needs. Dennis says, “I’m a homeowner and I know what it’s like to take care of your house and deal with hot water tanks and fuse panels. The one thing I didn’t like about most tiny homes is that they would have a cabinet here and you’d lift the top up and inside would be the batteries and then over here in this closet would be a different component to it.”
When designing his first tiny home, Dennis originally planned a 26 foot tiny home but ultimately decided to extend the design to 28 feet. The new, longer design allows for a sealed and insulated maintenance compartment with doors at the front of the home to provide easy access to water tanks, plumbing manifold, solar system setup and batteries if you have them. Our builders and each of our customers will know exactly how this compartment will look and function every time. What components it contains will be determined by what we’re building, but this will be a staple feature in our tiny homes.
Easy to fix. Easy to replace. Space for everything. These design principles are incorporated into every Humble Bee tiny home.
With tiny home living and free and nomadic lifestyles increasing in popularity, there are companies that promise fast production and quick turnaround. Leaning on practices like prefabrication, repeatable fast processes and designs that are quickly reproduced can provide a product faster, but often at the cost of quality. Quick production often means utilizing easily-accessible supplies and materials, resulting in a reliance on fast shipping options from big internet companies or ordering large bulk orders from overseas.
That is why Humble Bee is dedicated to building our company and our homes with deliberation and care to assure the job is done right and with intention. Dennis is committed to the lifestyle and ideals that go hand-in-hand with the tiny home movement. He looks at where products come from, how they were made, and the carbon footprint for shipping as well as specific processes that come along with using certain products.
For example, an insulation made within our region from natural materials might be less convenient than some other standard insulation options, but Dennis didn’t believe regular industrial options were in alignment with the principles of Humble Bee and sustainable living and so he made a different choice.
Other areas where plenty of thought and intention has gone is in the use of space throughout the home – especially in the bathroom and the loft bedroom. Dennis is a tall man so naturally he builds in line with what would be comfortable for himself.
In the loft, the roof is sloped, with the head of the bed at the higher end, complete with a custom headboard, nightstands and storage above for books and personal items, all with natural light from a skylight. The loft bedroom assures that even a tall man like Dennis can comfortably sit up in bed. He promises he will do everything he can to create the most space possible without compromising the roofline.
The bathroom contains a full 32 inch by 48 inch shower. Dennis says he wouldn’t want to shower every day in a tiny little shower and it is important to him that people feel comfortable long term.
All HBB tiny homes will be designed for easy conversion to and from off-grid living. The toilet is set up to be changed out for a composting or incinerating toilet. The home is completely wired for 110V while also including infrastructure to accommodate a solar power system and batteries. There are two holding tanks as well as regular plumbing that hooks into the sewer system, and many other conveniences that have been carefully considered and planned.
Stairs are another thing that can feel like a real waste of space in a tiny home, but they’re essential when you have a loft. HBB solves this problem by incorporating the staircase into a cupboard that gives you added counter space! Pull out the cupboard, you have stairs to your loft. Close the cupboard, you have a continuation of your counter space!
With hidden cupboards everywhere and a smart and practical look at space creation and space saving, Humble Bee Builds covers all the bases and does that extra level of thinking for their customer. As Dennis says, “I don’t want complaints. I build for myself. I want it to be something that I would want and love and not have to worry about what might come up. Having my background, I know people, I’ve seen people do bad things and wrong. I don’t want that for anyone. That’s not the idea.”
How did Humble Bee Builds get started?
Humble Bee’s beginning is grounded in Dennis’s 20 years of practical experience in the construction industry where he specialized in home renovations including kitchens, finishing carpentry, tiling, countertops and so much more. Combining that with his experience in drafting and design plus his previous career as a cabinet maker has Dennis poised to be a leader in custom tiny home construction.
We all know the best products come from the people who are passionate about what they’re doing. They feel happy coming to work at a job they are excited about, spending each day creating something they love. One of Dennis’s key priorities is his commitment to making sure his employees are excited to come to work everyday. He wants his employees to feel valued and inspired by the company they work for, and he wants them to feel like they are a part of something special.
“I would like to grow a business that people love to come work at. Where my employees have a good time. It’s not just the run of the mill things and it’s not just standing in front of a saw or laying tile all day long. I want to create something that people will come to and be as passionate about it as I am.”
We are a young company currently in the midst of our first build and we are certain we will be able to create a product that our clients adore, that makes them feel good to live in, and that will last them forever. Our dedicated focus on quality assures our clients of a quality product, but also makes damn sure the Humble Bee legacy carries on in the areas that are most important to us, and our contribution to the planet.
We are Humble Bee Builds and we intend to see this revolution done right.
