Debbie had always been intrigued by the idea of living in a tiny house.
For years, she dreamt of it, even though people told her she would never fit into one because she was a hoarder of things. "Yes, I do like my things," she admits, "but not to the extent that I cannot get rid of things if need be." The decision to downsize and embrace a tiny house lifestyle came as she and her husband, Ron, realised they were only using a quarter of their large house, yet they had to maintain the entire property. With their three sons and four grandsons grown, they no longer needed the extra space. "With a tiny house, you can lock up and leave. We have no animals now," Debbie also explains.
Their journey began with extensive planning and facing many challenges along the way. Debbie and Ron looked at numerous house plans, but most were standard rectangular boxes, which didn’t appeal to Debbie. She wanted something unique. After encountering builders who weren’t interested in her vision, Debbie finally found a builder through a local ad and Facebook who was willing to create her dream tiny house. "Stick to what you want. Pick your contractors carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions, and read your contract carefully," she advises.
The building process wasn't smooth. Debbie's initial design was too big for a single unit, so they had to split it into two units, one 48 sqm and one 40 sqm. Despite the setbacks, Debbie was determined to get what she wanted. "I have a full-size kitchen with a butler sink, a full-size stove and gas hob, and an amazing pantry. It’s the biggest one I’ve ever had, everyone was surprised that it fitted so much."
Moving the tiny house onto their new land turned into a dramatic ordeal. Debbie recalls the initial optimism when the builder advised them to prepare a flat platform by spreading metal and removing a few trees and a gate. However, when the time came, the truck driver placed their house on a neighbouring farm and left, saying the section was too wet. "We were in shock. He was never coming back, it was all on us," Debbie remembers. The community rallied together, and a local crane company eventually helped move the units into place.
Living in the tiny house has brought immense joy to Debbie and Ron, despite the challenges they faced. Debbie loves her new lifestyle. "I love the tiny house. We are living next to family, and our views are amazing. No traffic, we can do what we want when we want, no work hours." Adjusting to retirement has been a positive experience, especially with their 21-year-old grandson living with them.
Reflecting on their journey, Debbie offers valuable advice to others considering a tiny house lifestyle. "Go with your gut feeling and stick to what you want. Pick your contractors carefully. When shifting the houses on site, make your carrier have a look at the section and ask lots of questions about everything." She also emphasises the importance of community support, "Community and support is definitely a must. Most places have heaps to do and join. You will love tiny house living."
For now, Debbie and Ron are enjoying their tiny house and the freedom it brings. They have designed their tiny house to be mobile, ensuring the trailers are roadworthy in case they ever decide to move again. Debbie hopes others will learn from their experience, stressing the importance of thorough planning and asking the right questions. "It’s crucial to sort out all legal and logistical aspects beforehand to avoid any issues. Happy tiny living!" she concludes.
