Tiny Home Service Core Planning

Sorting the Wet Trades, Wiring and Frame

• 1. Define Purpose & Size: Determine occupancy, storage, and mobility needs. Minimum 15m² for single occupancy.
• 2. Site Assessment: Check AS/NZS 1170.1 for load-bearing, drainage, and wind exposure.
• 3. Power System: Solar panels (300-600W), battery (100-200Ah), and inverter (2000-3000W).
• 4. Water System: Rainwater tank (100-300L), filtration, and greywater recycling.
• 5. Insulation & Ventilation: R1.5 insulation (Bunnings), cross-ventilation, and heat pump.

Budget Ranges in Australian Dollars

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring AS/NZS 3000 electrical standards (costs $500–$1,000 for compliance).
• Underestimating water needs (add 50L per person per day).
• Overlooking maintenance schedules (e.g., solar panel cleaning every 6 months).
• Using substandard materials (Jaycar offers certified components).
• Not accounting for seasonal weather (e.g., bushfire-resistant materials).

Service Intervals I Set on Every Tiny Home

The Tools I Run on Site

• Portable Power Station: Anker 20000mAh (AUD $399)
• Solar Charge Controller: Epever Tracer 150 (AUD $499)
• LED Lighting: Osram LED Strip (AUD $149)
• Water Filter: Aquasana Whole House (AUD $599)
• Insulation Panels: Knauf Isotherm (AUD $2.50/unit)

What People Ring Me About Before We Cut Any Timber

Council Sign-Off: What the Planner Looks for First

Yes, but check local council regulations. Minimum 15m² and AS/NZS 1170.1 compliance required.

How I Cut Power Costs on Tiny Home Builds

Solar + battery system (AUD $2,000–$5,000). Avoid diesel generators due to maintenance costs.

Pressure, fittings, backflow: the three water checks I run before handover

Use a 100L rainwater tank with a 1-micron filter and UV treatment. Regularly test for contaminants.

Council Bylaws and Off-Grid Builds: A Lesson the Hard Way

Register with local council, obtain a building permit, and ensure compliance with AS/NZS 3000 for wiring.

Service Core Jobs I Won't Let Clients Touch

DIY for non-critical tasks (e.g., insulation). Hire licensed electricians for wiring and plumbing.

Conclusion

Get the budget, compliance, and safety sorted before you touch a saw. I run every job against AS/NZS first and keep a maintenance float tucked aside, because cutting corners early means paying for them later. Learned that the hard way on a 4m2 slab where a council's drainage bylaw got overlooked in the original paperwork. Spent three weeks arguing my case and forked out for an engineer to redraft the whole thing — ate a solid chunk of what should've been profit. So do yourself a favour: check every local bylaw yourself. Skip that step and the redraft will blow your numbers before the first piece of timber is even ordered.

The Permits and Safety Items I Sort Before the Frame Goes Up

Stick to AS/NZS standards and your local council regs — that's not optional, it's the baseline. Electrical work goes to a licensed sparkie, full stop. I don't touch it, you shouldn't either, and Off-Grid Master carries no liability for dodgy installs or paperwork you failed to lodge.