New Jersey has builders who specialize in tiny homes built for coastal living and local regulations. This guide ranks the top 4 builders serving the Jersey Shore, Ocean County, Monmouth County, and communities throughout the Garden State. We looked at experience, craftsmanship, and knowledge of New Jersey's building requirements.
AuthorLittle Houses For Sale Team
Last Updated
TLDR: Best New Jersey Tiny House Builders
Gambrick Construction leads New Jersey with 40+ years of Jersey Shore building experience
84 Lumber Tiny Living offers budget-friendly options starting at $30,000-$60,000
Wind River Built provides turnkey tiny homes with nationwide delivery to New Jersey
New Jersey coastal builds require special materials for salt air, humidity, and high winds
Zoning varies by municipality—local builders help navigate town-specific permitting
Prices range from $30,000 for basic models to $200,000+ for custom foundation builds
New Jersey Builders
4 Companies
Ranked by coastal expertise, craftsmanship, customer reviews, and local knowledge
Builder availability, pricing, and timelines vary by location and project scope. Verify current information and local zoning before hiring.
Why Choose a New Jersey Tiny House Builder?
Building a tiny house in New Jersey comes with unique challenges. The coastal environment along the Jersey Shore exposes homes to salt air, humidity, and strong winds. Local builders understand these conditions and use materials that hold up over time.
New Jersey also has complex zoning rules that change from town to town. What works in Point Pleasant might not be allowed in Toms River. A builder with local experience can help you work through the permitting process and avoid costly mistakes. They know which towns are tiny house friendly and which have strict requirements.
Whether you want a beach retreat, backyard guest house, or full-time residence, New Jersey builders can create a tiny home that fits your property and lifestyle. The best ones handle everything from design to permitting to final construction.
1. Gambrick Construction - Best Overall New Jersey Builder
★★★★★ Best Overall | Point Pleasant Beach, NJ | gambrick.com
Gambrick Construction has built homes at the Jersey Shore for over 40 years. Based in Point Pleasant Beach, they design and build fully custom tiny homes that match your lifestyle and vision. Every home is created from scratch—no stock plans or prefab models.
What sets Gambrick apart is their deep knowledge of coastal building. They use weather-tested materials and techniques that stand up to humidity, salt air, and high winds. They also handle all the local details—zoning, inspections, and permitting specific to your town.
What Makes Gambrick Stand Out
Fully Custom Design: Every home is created from scratch to match your goals, property, and style. No stock plans mean your tiny home is truly one of a kind.
Coastal Building Expertise: 40+ years building at the Jersey Shore means they know exactly which materials and methods work in New Jersey's coastal environment.
Local Permitting Help: They work directly with local authorities in Ocean and Monmouth Counties to handle the often-complex permitting and zoning process for you.
Versatile Use Options: They build primary residences, guest houses, backyard offices, and vacation retreats. Whatever you need the space for, they can design it.
Best For: New Jersey buyers wanting true custom builds, Jersey Shore homeowners needing coastal expertise, customers who want one builder to handle design through permitting, and those building in Ocean or Monmouth Counties. Also see all New Jersey tiny house builders.
Gambrick Custom Tiny Home Pricing
Simple build (100-300 sq ft, trailer)~$100,000
Mid-range custom with upgrades$150,000+
High-end with foundation & luxury finishes$200,000+
Typical Range$100K - $200K+
NoteCoastal locations may cost more due to special materials
84 Lumber's Tiny Living division offers affordable tiny homes starting at $30,000 to $60,000. Part of the larger 84 Lumber company, they have the resources and buying power to keep costs down while maintaining quality materials.
They offer several base models that can be customized to your needs. While not as custom as a local builder, this approach gives you a quality home at a lower price point. Their homes are designed to be energy efficient and built with proven construction methods.
84 Lumber Tiny Living Pricing
Price Range$30,000 - $60,000
Model TypeCustomizable base models
Company Backing84 Lumber (national)
Energy EfficiencyBuilt-in
Best ForBudget-conscious buyers
Contact them at 800-359-8484 to learn about available models and customization options for New Jersey delivery.
Best For: Budget-conscious buyers seeking quality at lower prices, those who want a proven base model with customization options, and buyers who don't need fully custom designs.
New Jersey Coastal Building Tip
Building near the Jersey Shore? Your tiny home needs materials rated for coastal conditions. This includes corrosion-resistant fasteners, coastal-grade siding, and impact-resistant windows. Local builders like Gambrick know which products work best—ask about their coastal material specifications.
Wind River Built has been crafting tiny homes for 10 years, serving over 30 states including New Jersey. Their 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility and team of 105 employees allow them to build quality homes efficiently.
The company was founded when owner Travis Pyke built and moved into a tiny home with his family. This personal experience with tiny living shows in their designs, which focus on practical functionality and simple living without sacrificing style.
Wind River by the Numbers
•10 years in business
•Serves 30+ states including New Jersey
•105 employees
•100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility
•Turnkey process: Design, Build, Deliver
Wind River offers a turnkey process—design, build, and deliver. They provide quick guides for setup, transport, water, and power needs. While they're not local to New Jersey, their systematic approach and delivery experience make them a solid choice for buyers who want a finished home delivered to their property.
Best For: Buyers wanting a complete turnkey solution, those who prefer factory-built quality control, customers comfortable working with a non-local builder, and people who value established processes and transparency.
Utopian Villas creates custom tiny homes starting at around $112,000. Based in Wisconsin and Texas, they serve homeowners throughout New Jersey looking for high-end, luxurious builds at a fraction of traditional home prices.
They work with clients to create sophisticated designs with layouts that maximize every square foot. Their experienced builders can pack a lot of value into a relatively small space, so owners don't have to give up modern amenities when going tiny.
Utopian Villas emphasizes that while building your own tiny house might seem fun, the realities of managing all the moving parts can become overwhelming. Hiring experts from the start often saves money in the end.
Best For: Buyers seeking high-end, luxurious tiny homes, those who want sophisticated designs and layouts, customers looking for full-service building experience, and anyone wanting premium finishes without traditional home prices.
Building Tiny Houses in New Jersey: Key Facts
New Jersey presents specific challenges for tiny house owners. Understanding the coastal environment, zoning rules, and building requirements helps you plan a successful project.
Coastal Building Requirements
Salt Air and Corrosion: The Jersey Shore environment is tough on buildings. Salt air corrodes regular metal fasteners and damages standard siding over time. Coastal tiny homes need stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized hardware, fiber cement or vinyl siding rated for coastal use, and regular inspections for saltwater corrosion.
Wind Resistance: Coastal areas experience high winds, especially during storms. Your tiny home needs proper anchoring, impact-resistant windows, and construction methods that meet wind load requirements for your location.
Humidity Control: New Jersey summers bring humidity that can cause mold and moisture problems. Good ventilation, proper vapor barriers, and dehumidification keep your tiny home healthy and comfortable.
New Jersey Zoning Varies by Town
Every municipality has different rules for tiny homes. Some allow ADUs, others have minimum size requirements. Check with your local planning and zoning commission before building.
New Jersey tiny house rules change from town to town. Some areas in Ocean and Monmouth Counties welcome tiny homes as guest houses or ADUs. Others have strict minimum square footage requirements that may exclude tiny homes.
Builders like Gambrick handle permitting for their clients, working directly with local authorities. If you're using an out-of-state builder, plan to work with the local building department yourself or hire a permit expediter familiar with your town's requirements.
Popular Areas for Tiny Homes
Tiny homes work well in various New Jersey locations. Explore these areas and their surrounding communities:
NJ Areas to Explore for Tiny Homes
Point Pleasant Beach - Strong tiny home builder presence
Toms River - Growing interest in ADUs
Sea Girt - Coastal community options
Cape May - Vacation retreat potential
Surf City - Beach living opportunities
Trenton area - More affordable land options
Financing Options
Financing tiny homes in New Jersey works differently than traditional mortgages. Options include personal loans, home equity lines of credit, and some traditional mortgages. Local builders often work with lenders who understand tiny home financing and can help you find the right solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gambrick Construction ranks first in New Jersey for their 40+ years of home building experience at the Jersey Shore. Based in Point Pleasant Beach, they specialize in custom tiny homes built for coastal living with weather-tested materials that withstand salt air and high winds. They handle zoning, inspections, and permitting specific to your town.
Tiny houses in New Jersey typically cost $30,000 to $200,000+ depending on the builder and features. Budget options from 84 Lumber start around $30,000-$60,000 for base models. Custom builds from local builders like Gambrick range from $100,000 to $200,000+ for foundation-built homes with luxury finishes. Coastal locations may cost more due to special material requirements.
Yes, tiny homes are legal in New Jersey, but zoning laws vary by municipality. Each town has different rules about minimum square footage, foundation requirements, and where tiny homes can be placed. Work with a local builder who understands your town's specific regulations to avoid permitting issues.
In many cases, yes. New Jersey allows ADUs (accessory dwelling units) in some areas, but zoning codes differ by town. You'll need to check with your local municipality about setbacks, size limits, and utility requirements. Local builders can help navigate the permitting process for your specific location.
Custom tiny homes in New Jersey typically take 3 to 6 months from design approval to completion for homes on trailers. Adding a foundation and utility hookups adds another 1 to 2 months. Timelines vary based on design complexity, permitting, and material availability in your area.
It depends on your plans. Stationary tiny homes on your property typically require a permanent foundation. Mobile tiny houses on wheels don't need a traditional foundation but still need proper setup for utilities. Your local municipality's rules and your intended use determine the requirements.
Finding Your New Jersey Tiny House Builder
New Jersey offers several paths to tiny house ownership. For buyers wanting true custom builds with local expertise, Gambrick Construction provides 40+ years of Jersey Shore experience. For budget-conscious buyers, 84 Lumber Tiny Living offers quality at lower price points. Wind River Built and Utopian Villas provide turnkey options from experienced national builders.
The coastal environment makes choosing the right builder important. Materials and methods that work inland may fail near the ocean. Local builders understand these challenges and build accordingly.
Take time to research zoning in your target area before committing to a builder. Contact your local planning department or work with a builder who handles permitting. For more builders serving New Jersey, visit our New Jersey builders directory.
