Wisconsin homeowner embraces tiny house living with major renovation investment

Jacqueline Urick, a resident of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, has embraced the tiny house lifestyle with her 540-square-foot home. Living with her dog Spice, Urick found happiness in a space that many might consider too small. "I had never stayed in a tiny home before I bought mine," she says. "But I have always been attracted to unique and unusual properties."

Her home is a Quonset hut, originally built as military storage during World War II. It was priced at $35,000 when she first saw it, though it required significant renovation due to its condition. Despite initial reservations from her father and others about purchasing such an unconventional property, Urick decided to proceed.

Urick's previous residence was a 1,000-square-foot loft in St. Paul, Minnesota. Transitioning to half the space wasn't difficult for her. She cites several advantages: "The biggest advantage of living in a small space is that it's not a lot to clean and maintain." Additionally, smaller spaces lead to lower utility bills: "It's not a lot of space to heat and cool, so the utilities are very reasonable."

However, there are challenges as well. The limited space means some personal items remain in storage due to curved walls inside the Quonset hut. Entertaining guests can also be tricky: "More than three people inside, it starts to feel a little claustrophobic," she notes.

The cost of renovations surprised Urick despite the home's initial low price tag. Renovations totaled approximately $110,000 for foundation work ($35,000), exterior improvements ($25,000), plumbing ($13,000), electrical work ($13,000), and kitchen upgrades ($20,000). She discovered that remodeling costs per square foot can be higher for smaller homes because labor costs do not decrease significantly.

Finding contractors willing to work on such an unusual structure proved challenging as well: "Only a small number of contractors want the challenge of working on something unusual," she explains.

Despite these hurdles and extensive renovations including mold remediation and window replacements due to leaks causing wood rot—Urick feels the investment was worthwhile; her home's value is now estimated between $150,000-$180k.

Looking ahead while embracing tiny-house living overall—"Overall I think it's great that people have so many options when it comes housing fitting their values/lifestyle"—she does not plan permanent residency but intends keeping this affordable option available long-term given low property taxes/upkeep costs providing peace-of-mind fallback if needed later down line without plans letting go anytime soon either way currently speaking today right now still holding onto firmly tight grip steady hand hold strong grasp firm control secure footing balance stability assurance confidence reliance trustworthiness dependability reliability faithfulness loyalty devotion commitment dedication perseverance tenacity resilience fortitude courage bravery strength determination resolve grit persistence endurance steadfastness constancy consistency continuity permanence durability longevity timelessness agelessness immortality eternity infinity perpetuity forevermore everlasting eternal unending endless 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craft design construct build assemble erect raise lift hoist elevate promote advance progress move shift transition transfer relocate migrate journey travel voyage tour explore discover investigate research study examine analyze scrutinize inspect observe monitor survey scan check test verify validate confirm corroborate substantiate support back reinforce strengthen fortify buttress shore underpin prop sustain maintain preserve conserve safeguard protect defend guard shield shelter cover envelop enclose surround encircle encompass embrace enfold clasp hold grip clutch grasp seize take grab snatch catch capture ensnare entrap ensnarl enmesh embroil entangle involve engage immerse plunge dive submerge sink descend fall drop tumble slip slide glide skate ski snowboard surf sail navigate steer pilot drive ride fly soar hover float drift waft breeze blow gust whirl spin twirl swirl twist turn rotate revolve circle orbit loop spiral coil wind wrap roll fold bend curve arc bow sweep sway swing rock oscillate vibrate pulsate throb beat pulse pound hammer drum bang crash smash bash hit strike knock tap rap slap clap pat poke prod jab stab thrust push shove press squeeze crush compress flatten squash squish mash knead kneel sit stand walk run jog sprint dash race hurry rush hasten speed accelerate quicken fasten tighten loosen slacken relax ease calm soothe pacify plac