Storage Building – Used as a Tiny House – Backyard Apartment

Over 10 years ago, I started, marketed, worked, built, and completely ran (with an occasional helper) a company dedicated to building storage sheds in the Dallas metroplex.  The photos below are one of the larger buildings that I built – that was later renovated to be a back-yard apartment.  The construction photos below show the process up until the point that the city approved the building as built per their issued permit for a “portable building /outbuilding /storage shed”.  All rules and laws were adhered to by me for the construction of this building.  After the permit / inspection approval… the homeowner contracted with “someone” for some additional upgrades to the structure.

16×20 Organizer – Built by Rex Smith

At Customer’s Request:

• Upgraded all siding to HardiPanel siding
• Upgraded to 5 skids instead of the standard 3 skids
• Plastic sheet vapor barrier laid in advance of building the building
• Ridge vent as well as end-vents installed on front and back
• Primed and painted body of building as well as the trim
• Pressure-treated ramp
• Anchor kit (per Garland city ordinance for buildings under 400′ Sq.)

Unofficial Upgrades:

I can also attest to the fact that after this building was built, interior was finished out with electrical outlets and a breaker box for the building.  A few windows and a window a/c unit was installed, and a proper French-door for entry was installed.   The interior walls (and roof-line) were insulated, and drywall paneling was installed, and taped/bedded… I’m pretty sure that the homeowner was using the building not for “storage” but as a rental “apartment”.  A total of 320 square feet – this is rather large for a “tiny house”.