Inspiration
As a homeowner frustrated by the lack of accessible tools for ADU planning, I saw friends struggle to navigate zoning laws, cost guesswork, and financing hurdles for tiny homes. Minimalist living shouldn’t be complicated – that’s why I built TinyHouse Calculator, to demystify every step of the process for fellow seekers of affordable, intentional living.
What it does
It’s a one-stop web tool for tiny home/ADU planning: validate local zoning rules for your address, design/customize floor plans, estimate construction costs by build type, calculate financing payments, and forecast rental income/ROI for investors. Every module flows seamlessly, with data carrying over to keep planning intuitive.
How we built it
We started with mapping core user needs (zoning checks, cost estimates, ROI) to page structure, then built the frontend with React/Bootstrap for a minimalist, mobile-responsive UI. Backend logic (cost/financing/ROI calculations) was coded in Node.js/Express, with MongoDB storing template floor plans and local market benchmarks.
Challenges we ran into
The biggest hurdle was aligning cost/ROI calculations with real-world regional variations – balancing accuracy with simplicity so users wouldn’t be overwhelmed. We also struggled with making zoning data presentation clear, avoiding jargon while keeping critical details intact.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Creating a smooth, intuitive flow between modules (no repeated data entry!) and a UI that stays true to minimalist design principles while being functional. Users can go from address input to ROI forecast in minutes – exactly what we set out to build.
What we learned
We learned to prioritize user-centric design over technical complexity; even robust calculations need to feel approachable. We also gained insight into regional housing regulations and how to translate that into digestible, actionable data for non-experts.
What's next for this project
We plan to expand zoning data coverage to more regions, integrate local builder/lender matching tools, and add customizable expense trackers for ongoing ADU/tiny home ownership costs. Eventually, we’ll add resources for permit preparation to make the process even more seamless.
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