A commonly asked question amongst first-time tiny home on wheels/DADU buyers seems to be, what is the difference between the two? We decided to break it down for you and create this easy-to-use guide:
THOW (Tiny House on Wheels):
Built on, and designed to stay on the trailer
Licensed as an RV/Travel Trailer or Park Model RV
Certified through the WA Dept. of Labor and Industries, built to RV or Park Model RV building codes and standards
More significant overall size constraints
Power and utility constraints
Considered a “mobile structure” and may not be legally allowed to park or be used for long term dwelling in some jurisdictions (we can help determine legality for a given address/area if people want help)
Does not typically add taxable or sellable value to the property that it is placed on
More flexibility to move later
Can be financed as a recreational vehicle through any RV financing lender
Can be financed as a THOW through a variety of other lenders (we can provide info of some lenders we know of)
Is typically lower cost and quicker turnaround time
THOWs are the “typical” tiny house that people think of when they think of a tiny house
DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit)/Tiny House on Foundation/ “Backyard Cottage”:
May be built at our factory, may be built on-site, depends on various factors
If built in the factory, it is licensed as a Modular structure and built to International Residential Code (IRC)/Washington State Building Code
Will need to be fully permitted and inspected by local building jurisdiction
Fewer size constraints
Fewer power and utility constraints
Permanent structure that adds value to the property
Multi-story, story-and-a-half, lofts have much more flexibility in size and dimension
Typically higher cost with a longer turnaround time
Can typically be financed through a HELOC, home improvement loan, or construction loan with any major lender
Much more flexibility in what can be built in and around the house
Much more flexibility as to what the house is legally allowed to be used as (e.g. short term rental, long term rental, guest house, office)
If you have any questions, please reach out to us. If we’ve inspired you to take the leap into building a THOW or DADU of your own, we’d love to hear from you and get the ball rolling!
Want Us to Build You Something Cool?
We’d love to chat! Please call (206)910-1813 or email info@chnwbuilds.comto schedule your visit. We are seeing customers by appointment only currently.
We just finalized our first Magellan series travel trailer. We are going to start building it this summer. If you’re interested in more information, updates, etc. reach out and we’ll be happy to fill you in!
