Two friends set out to build separate tiny homes but ended up with one and have been married for six years

Alex and Al spent two and a half years building their eco-friendly tiny home, working evenings and weekends while both held full-time jobs.

Now living in the southern Gulf Islands on Canada’s west coast for more than three years, they describe their home as “such a beautiful space,” surrounded by nature and filled with hand-selected, reclaimed materials.

For both, the tiny house was actually an upgrade from the smaller spaces they lived in before.

A major reason they built it was housing security—finding affordable rentals in the area was nearly impossible. Today, their tiny home provides stability, creativity, and a sense of freedom.

Their story is also a story of collaboration and love. Alex, a trained carpenter, learned many building skills from his father, who even helped frame the roof.

Al, a long-time friend and fellow builder, joined him on the project. Alex explained, “I want to build a tiny house, too. So, let’s build two tiny homes side by side.”

Initially, they worked on two homes, step by step, but eventually focused solely on Alex’s house as their shared home.

Now, five years into their relationship, they are married and happily living in the space they built together.

Building an eco-friendly tiny home: Materials, size, and costs

Their eco-friendly tiny home sits on a 24-foot Iron Eagle trailer, extended to 28 feet with two-foot bump-outs at each end.

It measures 8.5 feet wide and 13.5 feet tall. The sunken trailer floor provides extra headroom on the main floor and in the lofts, creating an open, airy feeling.

The home’s floor plan totals roughly 430 square feet, including 200 square feet on the main floor, 100 square feet across two lofts, and a 130-square-foot covered deck.

Alex and Al made sustainability a priority by using as many reclaimed and local materials as possible.

Cedar shingles on the gable ends were salvaged from a construction site dumpster and resawed.

Most of the siding came from a 100-year-old house, giving the materials a second life.

Flooring came from a friend’s old bowling alley. At the same time, interior walls were built with Wedi board and plastered with Venetian plaster for a smooth, insulated finish.

They also sourced locally milled wood and, wherever possible, ethical old-growth wood.

The total cost for materials, plumbing, electricity, and fixtures was about $75,000 Canadian, excluding labor.

Alex estimates their hours at around $160,000, but building it themselves saved that entire amount.

“A carpenter’s house is never truly finished,” Al said.

Even after three and a half years, there are still a few cabinet doors and trim to complete, but for the couple, the home feels finished and full of life.

Rooms and their functions: Comfort meets functionality

Living Area

Inside, the home is designed for both comfort and practicality. Visitors are greeted by two portraits painted by their friends, individually framed to honor their work.

The dining nook, initially planned to sit lower, was raised on Al’s suggestion so they could enjoy the view from the window.

The space includes three large drawers below and can convert into a daybed when needed.

Loft Bedrooms

The loft above the dining area serves as a guest space with a twin bed. The main loft, above the bathroom, houses a king-size bed with a bookshelf behind it.

Skylights let them watch the stars at night, and they use eye masks when desired.

Accessing the lofts does not require a ladder or stairs—they simply step onto counters and shelves, a clever solution for the compact layout.

Kitchen

The galley kitchen is surprisingly spacious for a tiny home. It has a large sink, ample counter space, and two burners plus a single induction element for bigger meals. An apartment-sized fridge has a countertop oven above it.

Alex said, “It isn’t the most convenient place, but ultimately we didn’t want to waste any space on our counters or below our counters, so we popped it up here. It is so wonderful and can fit a quarter-size baking sheet; we’ve never wished for a bigger oven, and we’re big cooking people.”

Bathroom

Storage was a major priority. With 38 drawers throughout the home, every inch of space is utilized efficiently, allowing the couple to keep the house tidy while storing clothes, kitchenware, and daily essentials.

The bathroom features a black toilet connected to a septic system, a copper sink, and a shower carefully selected to avoid cracking when the house is moved.

Two large closets provide even more storage, and a washing machine allows them to do laundry efficiently.

Heating

Heating comes from a WETT-certified wood stove that also doubles as a clothes dryer.

Water comes from a well feeding large blue tanks, and the home is connected to the grid with 50-amp service.

Seasonal outdoor and indoor features include a willow soaker and a cold plunge tank, as well as a greens bed for herbs and kale that Alex built for daily use.

Outdoor features and additional details

The home’s covered porch, built with driftwood posts and recycled sliding-glass doors, almost doubles the living space in spring, summer, and fall.

The deck is built in four sections so it can be moved if needed. Utility lines for water, power, and septic are easily accessible, and the porch also doubles as Alex’s weaving site.

Parking their tiny home has been a challenge. Their first site was an old covered mill where construction began, but eviction forced them to move.

Their second forested site had no services, so it only served to complete construction.

Finally, they secured their current location by posting waterproof flyers in neighborhoods where they wanted to live.

The site has electricity, water, and septic, and they brought in only their internet.

Rent is more affordable than city apartments, and the couple contributes to their landlords by chopping firewood, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.

To secure insurance, the couple skirted the home. It removed the wheels, qualifying the mobile home for lower-cost mobile home insurance than tiny house insurance.

The result is a practical, insured, and beautiful eco-friendly tiny home that combines sustainability, art, and functionality.

Selling a tiny home: Clearing debt and building savings

Before fully settling into their shared space, Alex and Al made a strategic decision to sell the second tiny home Alex had originally started.

This step was crucial in helping them manage finances and move forward with security.

The sale allowed them to pay off student debt and other obligations, giving them a fresh start while continuing to live frugally and sustainably in their completed home.

Alex reflected on the impact, saying, “I was able to sell the tiny home that I built… and now we have some savings and secure housing.”

The experience reinforced their belief that tiny homes can provide not only creativity and comfort but also practical financial freedom.

Living in an eco-friendly tiny home: Lessons and insights

For Alex and Al, living in a tiny home has exceeded expectations.

“People often ask us if it’s hard to live in a tiny home, if we feel claustrophobic or like we don’t have enough space or space away from each other. But honestly, we love living in this house,” Al said.

Their lifestyle allows them to save money, live sustainably, and enjoy a slower pace. Growing food on a friend’s farm and hunting their own meat helps reduce living costs.

Selling the second tiny home they initially started allowed them to pay off student debt and save for the future.

The experience also inspired new creative work. Alex, originally a videographer, took a weaving course and now works professionally as a weaver while documenting the process online.

Their home’s reclaimed materials, artistic touches, and efficient design reflect a life rooted in sustainability, creativity, and love.

Gratitude and dreams for the future

Living in their eco-friendly tiny home has given Alex and Al a sense of security, independence, and creativity.

Each day brings small moments of gratitude, whether watching the stars through the skylights, cooking big meals in the galley kitchen, or enjoying the greenery outside.

While they hope to build a larger home one day to start a family, for now, their tiny home perfectly balances practicality, sustainability, and beauty. It is more than a house—it is a home built with love, careful thought, and an appreciation for simplicity.

Their journey proves that an eco-friendly tiny home can provide both freedom and comfort, showing that living small does not mean giving up on dreams.

Every reclaimed plank, plastered wall, and carefully measured drawer tells a story of care, creativity, and partnership. This story inspires anyone imagining life in a tiny, sustainable, and meaningful space.

Watch Alex and Al share how their eco-friendly tiny home became the safe, loving space they always dreamed of.

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