Bruce M Firestone, PhD, with help from tiny homeowners Ron Murray and Michaela Jurdanovova
When getting ready to install your tiny home on a new parking pad, here are a few things to take into account—
1. Legal & Regulatory
• ☐ Ensure CSA Z240 or A277 certification for mobile units (if applicable)
• ☐ Get insurance coverage for the unit and site
• ☐ On completion of your purchase, make sure you get the trailer registration signed into your name and then go to your local Transportation Department outlet and get your own license plate[1]
2. Site Preparation
• ☐ Ensure parking pad is level and adequately compacted (gravel about 4-inches above grade is preferred as it sheds water)
• ☐ Confirm drainage slope (away from unit) to avoid water pooling
• ☐ Clear low-hanging branches or obstacles from access roadways and from parking pad itself
• ☐ Arrange tie-down anchors or wheel stops to prevent shifting
• ☐ Use adjustable leveling jacks on a compacted base to balance your tiny home and take some of the load off the tires of your trailer[2]
3. Utilities
• ☐ Electrical: Confirm amperage, install RV or direct connection panel (30A/50A/100A)
• ☐ Water: Connect municipal supply or well; install hose bib or insulated pipe
• ☐ Sewer: Connect to septic/sewer system or install holding tank/composting toilet
• ☐ Internet: Arrange mobile or hardline connectivity if desired
4. Access & Amenities
• ☐ Build safe steps or small landing deck with railing or consider adding a larger deck and a 3-season room
• ☐ Add exterior lighting and motion sensors plus a video doorbell such as Ring
• ☐ Consider fencing, privacy screens, or landscaping
• ☐ Provide garbage/recycling storage and ask if there is room for a storage shed onsite
• ☐ Plan for snow removal, grass cutting or shade as needed
• ☐ If you have a side hustle, see if there is the possibility of adding a small workshop to your site to accommodate it
• ☐ Consider an outdoor kitchen for summer months plus an organic garden
• ☐ Make sure you can park your car or truck and ask if you are permitted to have a place for your RV/caravan if you have one
5. Transportation & Setup
• ☐ Hire professional mover (if required)
• ☐ Confirm pad access for delivery vehicle/trailer
• ☐ Level and stabilize the home with jacks or blocks; adjustable jacks are, in our experience, preferred
• ☐ Make sure you water intake and outflow are protected from frost using heating cables (heat trace) and don’t forget to skirt your tiny home to a) keep pests from settling underneath and b) to keep wind and cold air as well as snow away from the your floor
• ☐ Inspect home after setting up for transport damage
• ☐ Photograph condition for insurance and records
6. Post-Setup
• ☐ Test all utilities and appliances
• ☐ Notify municipality or utility providers of occupancy/start date
• ☐ Add address marker or 911 sign (if applicable)
• ☐ Obtain USPS and CPC mailbox
• ☐ Review safety: smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, egress windows
Remember, the tiny house motto is LESS HOUSE, MORE LIFE. So moving towards a less stressful, less costly way, more self-sufficient way to live where you have a small but comfortable home, a supportive community, a side hustle and an organic garden to grow some of your own food may be appropriate for you…
Wishing you well,
Prof Bruce
FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS COACHING THAT’LL HELP YOU PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FOR 3-GENERATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Bruce M Firestone, B Eng (civil), M Eng-Sci, PhD
Real Estate Investment and Business coach
Ottawa Senators founder
ROYAL LePAGE Performance Realty broker
613-762-8884
bruce@brucemfirestone.com
brucemfirestone.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/profbruce
• MAKING IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE
You can also download a copy from, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cbzllrcbzpgsk0jh598mx/tiny-home-installation-checklist-final-bruce-m-firestone-phd.pdf?rlkey=g3r5j4abmk79w83vrvzfvgvlr&st=xr1olqww&dl=0.
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[1] Your trailer comes with a unique VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Your license plate protects your ownership. It also allows you to put financing in place (if you require it) on your tiny home, much as you can on your car, RV/Caravan or truck, each of which, of course, have their own VIN numbers.
[2] We recommend checking the level of your tiny home every year, especially after wintertime in northern latitudes once the frost is out of the ground. We also recommend keeping your tiny home on wheels so, if necessary, the unit can be relocated. Having said this, many tiny homeowners prefer to sell their tiny homes in-situ (along with a long-term land lease) rather than moving them as the cost of unhooking tiny homes from services and hooking them up at a new location is costly not to mention, it may be possible to sell your “no hassle” tiny home in place to a occupant for more than you paid for it…