ROLLING BEAR TINY HOMES British Columbia 

Builder John Beck stands in front of Rolling Bear Tiny Home in Langley. Photo and Article by Dan Ferguson, Langley Times 2018

John Beck thinks there is a market for an upscale kind of “Tiny House.”

“Maybe just a little bit bigger and better than a tiny house, something elegant on wheels,” said Beck, as he guided a reporter through a 420-sq. ft. house nearing completion on a Langley property, a few days before it was about to be officially unveiled for the first time by Rolling Bear Tiny Homes.

The rustic-style “Black Bear” log cabin design is built on a custom-made three-axle trailer and includes a loft area, master bedroom, full bath, full fridge, French doors and high vaulted ceilings.

“We thought it was important to have vaulted ceilings so that when you’re in a tiny home it would feel a lot bigger,” said Beck as crews rushed to complete installation of cabinets and bathroom fixtures before the June 30 open house. Beck, a resident of the Semiahmoo Peninsula who has 12 years experience as a residential builder in Richmond, as well as 20 years in landscaping and development, said the Rolling Bear Tiny Homes target market is people looking for a starter home or a recreational property.

Beck said he was one of four people behind the Rolling Bear Tiny Homes concept, the others being Luke McDonald, Mike Fournier and Margaret Rose of West Coast Gardens.

“We saw that there was a need for more affordable housing but at the same time (for) something people can feel comfortable (living) in,” Beck said. “I think a lot of people are downsizing and finding simpler and happier lives.”

Rolling Bear Tiny Homes has three blueprinted designs ranging from 200 sq. ft. to the 432 sq. ft. flagship.

An even bigger model is in the works.

Prices are expected to range from $59,000 to $199,000 or more if buyers want to add extras like solar panels or a jacuzzi tub.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As housing prices continue rising, tiny homes are seen by some as an affordable alternative for younger and lower-income buyers.

READ MORE: It will cost you $1 million to live in Langley

READ MORE: Millennials in Vancouver get least value for their real estate dollar: report

Stats show people aged 25 to 31 years old earn an average salary of about $38,000 a year, which translates into a typical maximum homebuying budget of about $203,000 — at a time when the aggregate Canadian home value sits at about $605,500.

The tiny house movement, also known as the “small house movement” promotes smaller, less expensive and more eco-friendly homes, usually under 500 square feet (46 sq. metres).

The BC Tiny House Collective defines a tiny house as a home on wheels or foundation within that size that “has the amenities of a dignified permanent home: kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area.”

Because it is a new type of housing stock that has only recently been introduced, regulations for tiny homes can vary from place to place.

Supporters of tiny homes are lobbying for changes to the laws to provide consistent standards and eliminate confusion.

While THOWs are often compared to RVs, the difference is the tiny homes are built to last as long as traditional homes and use traditional building techniques and materials.