Before choosing a tiny home, it helps to be clear about what you actually need it to do.

It might be a permanent home, guest accommodation, a rental, farm stay, worker accommodation, retreat, off-grid setup or the first stage of something larger.

That purpose affects almost every decision that follows.

FM DIRECT (FMD) helps people work through those early needs before choosing a builder, design, supplier or site.

Start with the purpose

It is easy to begin with floor plans, photographs, finishes and prices.

They all matter, but they do not answer the first question:

What does this home need to do every day?

A full-time home may need very different storage, privacy, appliances, power, water and access from a guest unit or weekend retreat.

What to consider before choosing a build

Before choosing a build, work through:

• Intended use
• Full-time, part-time, guest, rental, or retreat use
• Number of occupants
• Sleeping arrangements
• Kitchen and appliance needs
• Bathroom and toilet expectations
• Storage needs
• Power and off-grid requirements
• Water and waste requirements
• Site availability
• Delivery access
• Stairs, decks, and outdoor access
• Future expansion plans
• Budget priorities
• Suppliers and product choices

The decision chain

One early choice can affect several other parts of the project.

The roof affects solar. The toilet affects waste. The fridge affects cabinetry. The washing machine affects plumbing and space. The deck or stairs affect access, safety and outdoor use.

FMD helps bring those connections into the discussion before one decision quietly limits another.

Built from CABO Solana

CABO Solana showed how many decisions only become obvious once a project begins taking shape.

The build, delivery, placement, solar, appliances, stairs, outdoor area and later expansion all affected one another.

FMD brings those lessons forward so the next project can ask better questions earlier.

Important limits

FMD is not a building service and does not replace qualified builders, trades, engineers, electricians, plumbers, certifiers, planners or council advice.

It helps identify the practical questions that should be answered before committing to a build, supplier, product or site.

Start with what you need the project to do

Before choosing a tiny home, be clear about how it will be used, where it may go, who it needs to serve and what systems it will rely on.

FMD starts there.