Comparison and alternatives

Tiny house, modular building, caravan or container: which is the right answer.

These four are often compared as if they were versions of the same thing. They are not — they differ in how they are classified, how long they last, and what they are allowed to be used for.

In short

These four are often compared as if they were versions of the same thing. They are not — they differ in how they are classified, how long they last, and what they are allowed to be used for.

Tiny house versus caravan

A caravan is designed to be towed frequently and parked temporarily; its build-up, its insulation and its service life are all specified for that. A tiny house is a building that can be transported — the difference shows in winter, in the twentieth year, and in how the authority classifies it. If you genuinely want to move every few months, a caravan is the right product. If you want to live somewhere, a caravan is the wrong one.

Tiny house versus modular building

Modular construction scales: modules combine to make something larger, and the economics improve with size. A tiny house is deliberately singular and deliberately small. Where a project needs 60 or 120 square metres, modular is usually the better answer — which is why MODUNERA builds both, and why we will say so when the brief points that way.

Tiny house versus container conversion

A converted shipping container starts with a structure designed for stacking and sea transport, not for thermal performance or for human proportions. It can be made to work, and the aesthetic has its followers. What it rarely does is beat a purpose-built unit on insulation, on daylight, or on the ratio of external size to usable interior.

When the honest answer is 'not yet'

If the plot question is unresolved, no comparison between products matters. Establish admissibility for your intended use first. It costs a letter and some patience, and it is the only part of this decision that cannot be corrected later by spending more money.

Guides

Detailed guides in this area.

Poland, Romania and Türkiye comparedRead more
Questions

Frequently asked, answered here.

Per unit, usually. Per square metre, usually not — modular economics improve with size. Above roughly 60 square metres, ask for a modular comparison.

It is built to a different standard for a different purpose. A caravan is specified for frequent towing and temporary parking; a tiny house is specified for the heating season at a fixed address.

It can be made to work, but the starting structure is designed for stacking and sea transport rather than for insulation or interior proportion. Compare the finished U-values and the usable interior width, not the shell price.

MD 2 for four people or MD 3 for two with a room that closes. Neither replaces an apartment on area; both replace one on cost, location freedom and running expense.

Five destination markets

What has to be settled in each country.

The same question is answered differently in Copenhagen than in Zurich. These five points belong in every project check, whatever detail you are researching right now.

Germany

Responsible: the lower building authority of the district or independent city.

Governing plan: the Bebauungsplan, or an assessment under §34 or §35 BauGB where there is none.

Permanent living is possible where the plot lies within a built-up area or a Bebauungsplan permits residential use and the project is approved. In the outer area under §35 BauGB, living is privileged only in narrowly defined cases — the most common reason German projects fail.

Germany →

Netherlands

Responsible: the municipality, through the Omgevingsloket.

Governing plan: the municipal omgevingsplan under the Environment and Planning Act.

Permanent living requires a residential function in the omgevingsplan. Many attractive sites are designated for recreation, where permanent residence is not allowed — even where it happens in practice.

Netherlands →

Denmark

Responsible: the kommune.

Governing plan: the lokalplan together with the zone status (byzone, sommerhusområde or landzone).

Permanent living requires a site in byzone or an equivalent designation. In sommerhusområder year-round residence is restricted in principle, and exceptions are tied to personal conditions.

Denmark →

Luxembourg

Responsible: the commune.

Governing plan: the plan d'aménagement général (PAG) and the associated plan d'aménagement particulier (PAP).

Permanent living is possible where the PAG zone permits residential use and the autorisation de construire is granted. Because municipalities are small, practice differs noticeably from place to place.

Luxembourg →

Switzerland

Responsible: the municipality together with the canton.

Governing plan: the municipal land-use plan and the zoning ordinance.

Permanent living is possible inside the building zone where the zone permits residential use and the Baubewilligung is granted. Outside the building zone, living is admissible only in narrowly defined exceptions — the most common reason Swiss projects fail.

Switzerland →
All questions and answers per destination →
Models

Which models come into question.

Eight plans on one technical basis, 2.55 metres wide. What differs is length, layout and specification depth.

ModelLayoutLengthEx works
MD 1Panorama and loft8.00 m or 9.70 m44,900 €
MD 2Two lofts for families9.00 m52,900 €
MD 3Loft plus extra room8.00 m or 9.70 m47,900 €
MD 4Loft, room and veranda8.00 m or 9.00 m50,900 €
MD 5Compact with extra room8.00 m or 9.00 m46,900 €
MD 6Chalet with pitched roof8.00 m or 9.00 m54,900 €
MD 7Entry model8.00 m42,900 €
MD 8Compact, upgraded line8.00 m45,900 €
See MD 1 to MD 8
Checklist

Five points before ordering.

  • A written answer from the responsible authority on admissibility at the specific plot — verbal assurances do not carry a project.
  • Access and unloading point, with photographs and dimensions. In practice the last hundred metres cause more trouble than the long haul.
  • Servicing: the distance to power, drinking water and sewer. That distance sets one of the largest secondary items.
  • Type of use and number of people. Permanent living, holidays and letting lead to different specifications of the same model.
  • Budget range including foundation, connections, unloading, planning, fees and insurance — not just the ex-works price.

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