Reputable Builders of Custom Tiny Houses on Wheels: What to Look For and How to Choose
Finding a reputable tiny home builder is one of the most important decisions you'll make in this process. The wrong builder can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and leave you with a home that doesn't work. The right builder makes the whole experience smooth, exciting, and worth it.
So how do you tell the difference? Here's a practical guide.
What "Reputable" Actually Means in This Industry
The tiny home industry is less regulated than traditional homebuilding, which means quality and reliability vary a lot. A reputable builder, in this context, means someone who consistently delivers homes that are well-built, on budget, on time, and built to code.
The best way to verify this is through past customers. Ask any builder you're considering for references — and actually call them. Ask about the build quality, the communication, the timeline, and whether they'd work with that builder again.
Key Things That Separate Great Builders from the Rest
They build to a standard. The two main standards for THOWs are ANSI A119.5 (park trailer standard) and RVIA certification. These certifications mean the home has been inspected for fire safety, electrical, and plumbing compliance. If a builder can't tell you what standard they build to, that's a problem.
They have a real design process. Custom doesn't mean "we'll figure it out as we go." It means there's a design phase with floor plans, material selections, and your input at every step. Good builders have designers or architects involved, not just carpenters winging it.
They're transparent about what's included. The price you see should cover the home itself. But what about delivery? Land development? Utility hookups? A good builder is clear about what's in the quote and what's not — and helps you plan for the rest.
They help with the stuff after the build. Permitting. Zoning navigation. Financing connections. Insurance guidance. The best builders don't just hand you a home and disappear — they support you through the entire process of actually living in it.
What Cocoon Homes Brings to the Table
We build custom THOWs from $55,000 to $115,000, and we've built across California, Oregon, Washington, and beyond. Our process is collaborative — we work with you on design, walk you through permitting, handle construction, and deliver nationwide. We also do land development at cost, which is a line item that a lot of builders either skip or mark up significantly.
Our trailers are custom-designed: removable tongue for a permanent look, no wheel wells, four-corner leveling jacks. And we help connect clients with financing options when needed.
For Developers and Community Builders
If you're building a tiny home community, workforce housing project, or disaster relief housing — the stakes are even higher. You need a builder who can deliver at scale, consistently, and on a timeline. That's a different conversation than a single custom build. We do both.
Start the conversation at mycocoonhomes.com
