Tiny Pallet House

First choose a flat stable surface to build on like a concrete slab or flatbed trailer. Count on the house weighing between 4000 and 5000 pounds when complete and choose your trailer carefully.

I’m suggesting this arrangement for the shipping pallets because it would most likely fit on many common double axle trailers you’ll find. It also is less than 8′ wide which is the legal limit for trailers in many states. In the drawings you’ll see the steps for bringing the pallets together. Continue Reading »

Now attach 4×8 sheets of plywood or another sturdy sheet material to the pallet subfloor. You might also want to take the extra step to sheet both sides of the pallet floor structure and insulate it. This will give you a very strong and sealed base for your house. The thicker the plywood in the floor the better, especially the surface you walk on. Continue Reading »

Once the floor is down and solid start lifting prepared pallets into place. By prepared I simply mean pallets with 2x4s screwed or nailed onto the open ends. Doing this quickly gives you four sides of the pallet to screw or nail into. It also makes the pallet stronger. Continue Reading »

Once the walls are up get out the reciprocating saw and cut out spaces for the windows and door. Use new 2×4′s or some from dismantled pallets to frame rough openings for your windows and doors. It’s best to build the window and door bucks from your best and longest wood since most doors and windows require strait and plumb surfaces. Continue Reading »

Before adding siding or insulation be sure to bolt the pallets together. The stronger the connection between pallets the stronger your house will be. I would not trust nails or screws alone. I would use some bolts as the final connector.  Also be sure your walls are strong before lifting the roof pieces into place. Continue Reading »