Today I am going to provide a review of my Tumbleweed Tiny House. I was hesitant to do this post because I don’t want to be perceived as offering advice about tiny house builders, but some of the most common questions I get are whether or not I like my Tumbleweed Tiny House and if I would buy from them again.
Before I start with my review, I want to make it clear that I have no affiliation with Tumbleweed, other than being a customer and at one point a guest blogger (See the two part story here and here). This is simply an explanation of my experience with the company as tiny house dweller.
I need to start with explaining why I chose Tumbleweed. When I started my tiny house journey I knew I wanted to buy rather than build. However, two years ago there were very few reputable tiny house builders. In fact there weren’t that many tiny house builders period.
I narrowed my search down to three companies that looked reputable and had homes I liked. Ultimately I chose Tumbleweed due to the quality of construction and the fact that their builder was based out of Colorado Springs, CO, which is where I was living at the time.
The first time I walked into a Tumbleweed Tiny House, I fell in love with it. The quality of construction was better than I had imagined. It looked like a custom home on a small scale. (You will notice that my house looks very similar to the model! 😉 )
I spent hours at the location where they had their model. I walked through the house, sat on the bench and imagined how my life would be and where I would put my stuff. I am sure they thought I was crazy!
At the time, Tumbleweed had a small company that was building for them. The individuals that built my house had been custom home builders, who had transitioned into building smaller structures like sheds and playhouses. They ultimately built my tiny house for me. My understanding is that since that time Tumbleweed has changed who builds their homes.
I loved the fact that I was able to have lots of conversations face to face with my builder. He provided me detailed plans that I had the opportunity to review and update. I was able to add additional things I wanted like a desk, extra shelves and additional electrical outlets and light switches. This sounds silly, but it made the buying process a lot less stressful.
I have been extremely happy with my home and have to say from a construction and quality standpoint I would absolutely buy from Tumbleweed again. With that being said, there are a number of other builders out there now that have amazing floor plans I love. So I am not sure I would buy this exact model again.
The advantages to Tumbleweed in my mind boil down to three things. Quality of construction, length of time in the business and ability to get RVIA certified (something I cared about since I knew I would be living in RV parks). The downside is price. I paid $75,000 for my tiny house with all of the upgrades. Today their are a lot of quality builders who can match the quality for less money.
As with any decision, it is important for you to decide what is important to you and what isn’t. I encourage you to meet with a builder and tour their homes before you start building. Make sure you understand how your builder does business and what is included in pricing.
I would love to hear about your favorite builders.
kathleen says
I enjoyed your review of tumbleweed tiny house company. I have also purchased a Cypress 26 model from Tumbleweed company. After a rocky start I now have a person who is working with me on a regular basis,. Texting at least once a week. I live on the east coast so long distance doesn’t t help when trying to imagine what the end product will look like,. I am expecting a early October completion date. I am having a hard time trying to find a place for my tiny home. RC park in Connecticut said yes now has changed her mind and had said no. Did you have a hard time finding a place to call home?
lora higgins says
Hi Kathleen! Sorry for the late reply. I was able to find a couple of parks that were able to accommodate me. I made sure I told them I was professionally built, RVIA certified, and insured like a conventional RV. This seemed to help.
Lynn says
Hi Laura , I am having a hard time finding a builder in Pennsylvania.. do you have any advice on who to call.
lora higgins says
I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas on builders there in your local area. However, most tiny house companies will deliver if you decide to buy from one out of state. I know that doesn’t help tons!
L says
Just saw Liberation Tiny Homes, in PA.
Peggy Bender says
Hello I have been looking @ Tiny House’s & builder’s too. I want to have Liberation Tiny Homes to build my Home. And I would love to have a small Land Lot to put my tiny house to live on, after I’ am done Traveling. As a Disabled Person I don’t have a lot of Money to Spend on Land . I have been Looking in Different States for a small Lot, But having a hard time with County laws against tiny houses. Also Real Estate Agents don’t know or want to deal with you when you say you are going to want to put a tiny house on it. Even when the County has Codes that allow tiny home there. Could some one Let me Know How to get a Good Agent to work with. I have a House to sell in Pa. were I live Now. I was looking @ N.C. Area & I had the Money to pay in full for the Land there, But they want a House Built on the Land. Can any one Help me out, with this issue? Thank-you So Much
Tommy says
How did you build turn out?
Heather Campbell says
Liked your blog, except you spelled “their” wrong in one of your sentences
It should read there are a lot of…….
lora higgins says
Heather, thanks for the catch!
Joanne Wilson says
Heather, you left out a period.
Lori says
LOL!
tracy says
Currently doing a lot of research on tiny living. So much fun!! I’m in the downsizing and getting out of debt phase so just having a good time looking at all options. Was wondering if you could tell me how u like your washer and dryer combo? And I see you have a dog…how is that working with the tiny home? I have a cat right now but hoping in future to have a dog again and wondered about that. Thanks for all of your wonderful information!
lora higgins says
Hi Tracy, I am so glad you found my blog. Check out the following posts that will hopefully help answer some of your other questions:
http://www.tinyhouseteacher.com/laundry/
http://www.tinyhouseteacher.com/fur-buddies-tiny-house/
Good luck in your journey!
Debbie LaFleiche says
Thank you for the review. I’ve been on their website many times and really like the look and layouts of the tiny homes. When I was consider different options a tiny home was definitely among them. Ultimately I decided to purchase an RV and travel the country (launching next summer!) but a tiny house hasn’t been ruled out as an option when I’m ready to settle down.
lora higgins says
Hi Debbie! Travel sounds so fun. Once I retire from the AF, I want to travel in a t@b! Stay in touch and let me know how things go.
Sarah Jones says
Thanks for sharing so much Lora! We’ve been living and traveling the US in a T@b for the last year and are thinking that a piece of land with the Cypress 26 might be the next step. I love your designs and layout. Thanks for your honest review! After living in the T@b (2 people, a dog, and a cat) a Tumbleweed seems like a mansion! 🙂
lora higgins says
Hi Sarah! I am so glad you found me. I want to move into a T@b when I retire for at least part of the year so I can travel tons and visit all the national parks! Like you, at some point I’m going to buy a piece of land to drop my Tumbleweed on near family for my “permanent” home.
Joyce says
I’m new to this lifestyle so can someone tell me what a T@b is?
Lora says
Hi Joyce,
I T@b is a very small RV. You can check them out at: http://tab.nucamprv.com/