A Tiny House Built by Hand and Heart
When Caitlin welcomes you into her tiny house, she isn’t just showing a place to live—she’s sharing a dream she built with her own hands. From the very beginning, her goal was simple but ambitious: to build a home for herself. With the help of her dad, a carpenter who was fully on board, Caitlin set out to create a space that felt personal, functional, and deeply rooted in the land she loves.
From Dream to Dirt Road Reality
Caitlin began building her tiny house in 2014 with the intention of eventually moving it somewhere nearby. As fate would have it, she found the perfect piece of land right next to where the house was being built. When it came time to move the home, the “road” was little more than a dirt path. The house was towed up the hill by a small bulldozer—a fittingly rugged start to a home that would go on to anchor her life for the next eight years.
The build took about three years, largely completed solo and over time, without a full crew or big budget. The process demanded patience, persistence, and problem-solving—but it also made every square inch feel earned.
A Cost-Effective, Road-Ready Build
Built on a 24-foot trailer and expanded to 27 feet total, the house measures 8.5 feet wide and 13.5 feet tall. Though designed to be road-legal, it ultimately never needed to travel far. By sourcing used materials and spreading costs over time, Caitlin estimates the total build came in between $30,000 and $40,000—proof that thoughtful design and resourcefulness can go a long way.
Living Off-Grid, Surrounded by Family
Caitlin’s tiny house is fully off-grid. Propane powers her stove, oven, fridge, and heat. Solar panels provide electricity, and water is collected from a nearby spring and stored in tanks uphill, filtered before use. While off-grid living requires constant effort and upkeep, Caitlin has been able to make it work thanks to something just as essential as infrastructure: family.
Her brother, sister, and mother all live nearby, creating a close-knit support system—especially important as Caitlin navigates chronic health issues and a current season of rest.
If you would like to help Caitlin please visit her GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-overcome-chronic-illness-support-jaw-surgery?attribution
Designed for Comfort, Cooking, and Care
Inside, the house reflects Caitlin’s priorities. A large kitchen anchors the space, complete with a deep cast-iron sink found secondhand, a full-size propane fridge, and custom wood countertops crafted by her dad. Storage is everywhere—drawers, cabinets, and clever built-ins make the most of the compact footprint.
The bathroom includes a full-size shower, a washer, and thoughtfully sourced secondhand fixtures and tiles. Upstairs, the loft features pine walls and ceilings for a cozy cabin feel, a full-size bed, abundant airflow from windows and a skylight, and a ceiling fan that regulates temperature year-round.
A Labor of Love and a Life of Freedom
More than anything, this tiny house represents freedom. Free from large loans, free from excess, and free to live at her own pace. Caitlin calls it a project from her heart—and it shows. Built with care, patience, and love, this tiny home is both a shelter and a sanctuary, offering her a place to rest, heal, and truly be herself.
Watch Caitlin’s full tour here:
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That oven is so cool! I know I saw this video before so I didn’t watch the whole thing. One question is what did it cost you? It is done so nice inside and utilizes the space like a class B. I would not choose a van/RV etc that did not have a dinette.
How did you find the land? Not even sure what state your in actually but NJ is not tiny house friendly. If you rent the land, what does that run you?
Author
Caitlin happened to be building her home on a property that went up for sale so she and her family bought the land and all live on several acres in California