Frequently Asked Questions

The best place to start your journey is right here on our website. We’ve thoughtfully designed it to be a comprehensive and current resource—whether you’re drawn to a Tiny Home or a Modular Home set on a permanent foundation.

After you’ve had a chance to explore, consider putting together a vision board to help capture your style and layout preferences. This is also a good time to start outlining a realistic budget and timeline. Thinking ahead about where your home will be located and how you’ll finance it will help lay a solid foundation for the next steps.

After this is completed, schedule a call or site visit with one of our representatives to customize your home.

​The timeframe for completing your Great Lakes Tiny Home can vary depending on a few key factors—our existing production schedule, the type of home you choose (Tiny Home on Wheels, Commercial Unit, or Modular), and the amount of customization required.

Phone : 855-855-Tiny (8469)

Website: greatlakestinyhome.com

Email : [email protected]

To get the most precise estimate for your unique project, we encourage you to connect with our team directly. We’ll be glad to guide you through our current timeline and help set expectations. Contact us today.

Yes, we do offer On-Site Tours, by appointment, to help our customers get a hands-on experience of how our homes are structured. This also helps get a great idea of the space in your home.

For many, the dream of placing a tiny home on their own land is appealing—but it can also come with its fair share of challenges. We highly recommend beginning by contacting the zoning and building departments in the city or county where you intend to live. They’ll let you know if Tiny Homes on Wheels are permitted and whether there are minimum square footage requirements that might impact your plans.

Online communities and social media platforms—particularly Facebook groups—can also be valuable sources of information. You’ll often find insights on tiny home-friendly areas and listings for available properties nearby.

RV parks are increasingly welcoming to tiny homes, especially Park Model RVs. A simple phone call is often all it takes to find out if a specific park allows Tiny Homes on Wheels.

Although we wish we could provide a complete list of approved locations for tiny homes, park models, or modular homes, zoning regulations differ greatly from place to place. Whether your plan involves a Tiny Home on Wheels, a Park Model RV, or a Modular Home, doing thorough research is essential. Working with a local real estate agent who understands zoning codes—or reaching out directly to your local zoning office—can help make sure your home is set up both legally and safely.

We don’t offer services for finding land or parking spaces. Our primary goal is to design and build a high-quality home that fits your unique preferences. Since zoning laws and regulations differ greatly from one area to another, we’re not able to provide a complete list of approved placement locations. We suggest checking out our “Where can I place my home?” FAQ and doing some online research or reaching out to your local zoning office for more detailed information.

Phone : 855-855-Tiny (8469)

Website: greatlakestinyhome.com

Email : [email protected]

Ask us about Tiny Home Communities!!

Although both provide compact living solutions, the main distinctions lie in their construction, mobility, and placement options.

Tiny Homes

✔ Built on trailers for mobility

✔ Built to ANSI A119.5 standards 

✔ Perfect for travel and flexible living

✔ Usually between 8’6” & 14’ wide and under 400 sq ft.

✔ Meant to be transported once or infrequently and then set up long-term

✔ Often used as a guest house, vacation home, or full-time residence in RV parks or on private land (where permitted)

✔ Still considered a “Park Model” RV, but more spacious and not intended for frequent travel

✔ Customizable to match your preferred layout and design

Modular Homes

✔ Constructed to meet state residential building codes
✔ Delivered in sections and permanently set on a foundation
✔ Considered traditional homes for permitting, zoning and financing purposes
✔ Ideal for full-time residences, guest homes, or rental units
✔ Generally larger, starting around 400 sq. ft.

Not sure which option suits your needs or property best? Our team is here to help you figure out the perfect fit.

Modular Homes

Phone : 855-855-Tiny (8469)

Website: greatlakestinyhome.com

Email : [email protected]

✔ Constructed to meet state residential building codes
✔ Delivered in sections and permanently set on a foundation
✔ Considered traditional homes for permitting, zoning and financing purposes
✔ Ideal for full-time residences, guest homes, or rental units
✔ Generally larger, starting around 400 sq. ft

✔Great for full-time living with long-term durability

Manufactured Home

✘ Built to the federal HUD code, not state residential code

✘ Often placed on blocks or piers, though some may be permanently affixed

✘ May face more zoning restrictions and community limitations

✘ Typically mass-produced with limited customization

✘ Not offered by Great Lakes Tiny Homes

If you are looking for a Tiny Home or Modular Home, built with top – quality materials and expert craftsmanship, Great Lakes Tiny Homes may be the perfect fit! Schedule a call today to find out!!

Here is a list of people to call with questions to ask regarding permitting for tiny homes.

Calling your township for zoning regulations

• What permits are required from the township
• Can I have a Tiny Home on the property
• Can it be on a trailer or foundation 
• Are there any size restrictions
• What are the property line setbacks required
• Can this be a primary or ADU residents

Your county building department

• Are there any building restrictions for a Tiny Home
• What permits are required from the county
• Can the Tiny Home have the RVIA certification if less than 400 sq ft

If you have a private septic system, call your county health department to see if you can tie it into your current system.

In most cases, if you have a private water well you are able to tie into it.

Phone : 855-855-Tiny (8469)

Website: greatlakestinyhome.com

Email : [email protected]

If you have public sewer and water, call your city/town to see what you need to tie into the current sewer and water.

In most cases, if you are already tied into the electric service, you are able to run a 50 amp or 100 amp service to your Tiny Home, depending on the amperage that’s needed.

While we do offer some Tiny Homes In-Stock, at Great Lakes Tiny Homes, we specialize in custom-built “Park Model” Tiny Homes, and mobile commercial units. Because every home is tailored to your unique needs, pricing will vary depending on the size, layout, and finishes you select. There’s no flat rate—but we invite you to browse our website for examples of previous builds, including pricing, to help guide your expectations.

For Modular Homes, pricing is based on the specific model you choose. Please note that listed prices cover the home only and do not include transportation, permitting, site prep, or foundation work, which vary by location.

Our homes are built for lasting quality, not mass production. At Great Lakes Tiny Homes, each build is carefully crafted with high-grade materials and expert workmanship—as if we were building it for our own family. We work from a fully equipped facility, not a backyard, and follow strict codes and building standards with certified professionals.

The price also reflects rising material costs and the personalized nature of each home. Unlike factory-built units, our homes are handcrafted one at a time, with attention to every detail. We believe you’ll see and feel the difference in durability, comfort, and long-term value.

While we do offer a financing option for our Park Model Tiny Homes, It is generally more beneficial to contact a Bank or Credit Union to inquire about an RV Loan,  Personal Loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit. A few other financing options Tiny Home Financing options are Lightstream and SoFi.

Phone : 855-855-Tiny (8469)

Website: greatlakestinyhome.com

Email : [email protected]

Our modular home pricing varies depending on the model. We build Modular Homes with custom layouts for the best fit for your lifestyle. Each home is built to meet applicable building codes and includes a range of high-quality features.

Contact one of our representatives to discuss your interests.

Phone : 855-855-Tiny (8469)

Website: greatlakestinyhome.com

Email : [email protected]

Financing a modular home is generally similar to financing a traditional home. If you’re installing a modular unit as an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) on a property that already carries a mortgage, a traditional home loan may not apply. In these cases, many clients explore options such as HELOCs or personal loans. Great Lakes Tiny Homes accepts financing from a variety of lenders, and if you need assistance, we can connect you with one of our trusted lending partners.

We do not offer our modular floor plans for sale. Our designs are proprietary and exclusive to Great Lakes Tiny Homes. However, we’re here to help you choose the model that best suits your lifestyle and space requirements.

Contact one of our representatives to discuss the best floor plan for you.

At Great Lakes Tiny Homes, we hold several certifications that allow us to offer a diverse range of home types tailored to different needs and lifestyles. These credentials ensure we meet high standards for safety, construction quality, and legal compliance. These certifications allow Great Lakes Tiny Homes to offer both mobile and permanent housing solutions—all built with precision, safety, and long-term value in mind.

Phone : 855-855-Tiny (8469)

Website: greatlakestinyhome.com

Email : [email protected]

This license qualifies us to oversee and complete residential construction projects, including site preparation and installation of our modular homes, ensuring every build is safe, secure, and code-compliant.