A SAVVY builder is saving nearly £1,000 a month after he ditched his rented home in favour of a tiny ‘eco home’ that costs just £15 every four weeks to run.
Chris Marsh, 36, moved into the tiny 180 sqft wooden cabin on wheels having previously spent nearly £1,000 per month to live in a two-bedroom house in Hexham, Northumberland.
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He previously paid £650 a month on rent, £100 a month on electricity bills and £160 on council tax, working out as £910 per month.
After buying a plot of land in Northumberland for £110,000 in January, he spent 11 weeks building the new eco home himself.
It boasts two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living area and a large shower room over two floors, and he now lives in the building almost for free.
Singleton Chris, who previously worked as a building manufacturer, now sells 30 of the mini homes a year to other buyers across Europe – with each one retailing for £50,000.
He said: “My old house was lovely but it wasn’t remotely economical; it had single glazed windows and oil heating that I’d rarely put on with it being so expensive to run.
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Caters News Agency
“The house was constantly cold and I was tired of paying out so much money each month – it was hard to maintain and keep it up to scratch.
“I then came across these ‘tiny houses’ on an American website and thought I’d give it a try making one myself.
“I’ve now been living in my new house full time since the end of March and completely love it – I won’t be rushing to move back into a proper house any time soon.”
Since moving into the tiny house, Chris only pays around £15 a month in electricity bills and doesn’t pay for water as it’s retrieved through a rain collection system.
Caters News Agency
Caters News Agency
Caters News Agency
Chris, who lives on his own, has planning permission on the land where his house is located, meaning he is legally able to use it as a permanent form of residence.
He said the money he is saving from living in his eco house – which he only had to sacrifice a few clothes to move into – is being put towards having an easier lifestyle and for future retirement plans.
Chris’ business Tiny Eco Homes UK – which he launched in 2017 – makes the properties bespoke for customers all over Europe and he personally delivers them.
Due to the unique materials Chris uses to build the homes, which take two to eight weeks to make depending on specifications, he promises a life time guarantee as the wood won’t rot.
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Caters News Agency
Caters News Agency
They are suitable for all types of weathers and climates, and are easily towed by car.
Chris, who currently has six builds on the go, said: “I’ve sold the houses to wide range of people – from young families and elderly couples, to first time buyers and people just wanting an accessible holiday home.
“Each house is completely different and I build it the way to customer wants it making.
“People are often shocked with how luxurious they are – many want an easy holiday home, but don’t necessarily want a caravan, so the tiny eco homes are a good in between.”
Sun Online Travel previously revealed the “most liveable tiny house” in the UK, which would cost Brits just £60,000.
The 256 sqft house, called the Kokosing, was revealed by Modern Tiny Living.
It features a mezzanine bedroom, as well as a kitchen and 32 inch flat screen.
One of the smallest houses in the UK, which isn’t on wheels, can be found in Stockport, and costs £70,000.
