Is the Amazon Foldable Home Worth it? Surprisingly Yes! (2024 Guide)
The Amazon Foldable Home has taken the internet by storm and with recent the housing market crisis, its no surprise people are finding more affordable ways to live.
Wether you’re thinking of installing an additional guest unit in your backyard or property, wanting some extra storage, or need an AirBNB, the amazon foldable house is a great option for those who want an affordable and easy installation.
The foldable home is gaining popularity for it’s versatility and convenience; it has a modern chic interior to it.
House Features
The foldable house is in the style of a studio room and comes with one bathroom. It has a built-in shower, kitchenette, windows, a septic outlet,
It comes in four different sizes, 13×20 ft, 15x20ft, 16.5×20 ft, and 19x20ft. For the proposer of this article, I will be referring to the most popular size 19x20ft.
Consider placing your foldable amazon home on land that is owned by you or someone who has granted you permission to live on their property.
Installation can take as quick as 10-15 minutes to an hour, depending on how many people you have helping you. That is insane!
- Size: 290 sqft2
- Rooms: Studio, 1 bath
- Flame Resistant (Made of fire retardant walls)
- Steel Frame
It has room for a 80 inch TV.
Connecting Sewer, Water, and Electricity
“Incredibly Tiny Homes” has fantastic in depth tutorial on how to connect water, sewage, and electricity which we highly recommend you follow for self sustainability.
Another great resource for connecting utilities for small living is a guide by the United Tiny Homes.
There are plenty of great guides
Setting up the Water Well
You will need a water source to hook up the unit
Septic Tank (Sewage)
Due to the nature of the house, you will need to install a septic tank for all your wastewater appliances through your sink, shower, and toilet.
Lowes has decent septic tanks that are suitable for the amazon foldable house.
If you aren’t familiar with up keeping a septic tank, we would recommend being prepared to clean and take care of it.
Setting Up Electricity
The Foldable house does come with outlets, but you will have to set up your own electricity.
Obtaining an ADU permit
Ensure you have the proper permits when introducing an additional dwelling unit on your property. This will vary depending on where you live. Some states also have certain regulations on additional units, so be sure to be within compliance.
Alternative: Getting a Generator
If necessary, it is always efficient to have a generator.
Another great popular alternative is getting a generator like the Ecoflow Delta 2 or theGENMAX.
We recommend doing more research on what generator will work best for your unit. You may need to calculate which generator will fulfill your needs.
There are also solar powdered generators.
Cost Break Down
So is the foldable house worth living in? For $34,900, the amazon foldable house could cost around as little as $300-$500 a month, depending on if you are using an installment plan through your credit bureau.
Unfortunately, Amazon does not let you do an installment plan on their end as the total purchase exceeds $17,500.
However, it is much more appealing to own rather than rent.
With setting up the essential self sustaining utilities such as water, electricity, and sewage
The units don’t come with AC or a heater, so consider adding that to the cost of living.
Overall, in the long run the foldable house will definitely save you a lot of money.
Can it Survive Weather?
Nautrally, we want to know if something this affordable actually can withstand weather changes like rain, wind, fires, etc.
Wind: According to the manufacture, the foldable house is able to withstand at least 70 miles per hour (MPH) of wind. If you live in a windy area, have an extra layer of protection.
Fire: The walls contain fire retardant foam, so the foldable house should be fairly fire resistant.
Rain: Users who have gone through rain storms say it survives, however overtime the roof will need additional protection.
Snow: Currently, there is no data indicating the foldable house is capable of surviving snow. It is not reccomended to be used in the snow.
Helpful Small Living Tools
Heater: Consider getting an indoor heaterto keep you warm. It does not come with heating, so this would be very useful.
Fridge: You will need to install a fridge to keep your perishable foods cold. A mini fridge could work, but the house is also compatible with a small fridge. If you can, we would recommend using an old smaller fridge to save some extra cash.
Air conditioner: These units do not come with air conditioning, so consider adding this to your list.
Conclusion
So yes if you are considering downsizing and wanting to live sustainably, or create a rental space for airbnb, the foldable home is a great affordable option.
February 5, 2024 @ 12:32 am
Water heater? In cold weather water pipes will freeze unless coming from under the ground. Probably best if sewage, water and electricity are setup before and a concrete slab is constructed to place the folding house on. Build a small solar farm with battery storage. Seems this would be best in a warmer climate.
February 5, 2024 @ 12:50 pm
Hi wally,
That is great input. We will look more into that. That is definitely the best solution for a foldable house. You are correct, the pipes will freeze in colder climates. I like the solar farm idea!