Breckenridge Texan

A little more than six months after setting up shop on Breckenridge’s Industrial Loop, New Vision Manufacturing has added a new item to its product line – tiny houses.

The manufactured housing company started out focusing on “man camps,” heavy duty housing units frequently used in the oil field industry, but the long-term plan has always included other products, such as tiny houses, HUD homes and other modular houses.

The New Vision Manufacturing facility has about two dozen tiny houses built. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Tiny houses are a trend that has been on the rise for about five years, according to the Tiny House Society, an online group of enthusiasts.

“There’s a ton of interest,” said New Vision Plant Manager Andy Nauert. “The market is very good right now for tiny homes.”

In general, tiny houses range in size from 100 square feet to 500 square feet. The tiny houses that New Vision builds are 396 square feet.

The tiny houses have kitchens with full-sized appliances. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/ Breckenridge Texan)

A couple of the tiny houses are on display in front of the New Vision facility, 820 Industrial Loop. There are two models, the Aspen and the Vail with slightly different layouts (see the floor plans at the end of this article). Both models have metal roofs and feature a living/dining area, a small kitchen with full-sized appliances, a ceiling fan, a bathroom and a bedroom with a closet. There are a few options that can be added or deleted. For example, they can be built with or without a porch. Additionally, there’s a model that comes with a washing machine and dryer.

The tiny houses are constructed at the New Vision plant in a manner similar to modular homes. “This thing is constructed like a tank,” Nauert said. “It has all 2-by-4 framing and 2-by-6 floor joists and modular-type rafters.”

Not all communities allow tiny houses to be in residential areas, but in Breckenridge, they are legal in R-4 housing zones. Basically, they are allowed anywhere in Breckenridge that a mobile home is allowed. Outside the city limits, in Stephens County, tiny houses can be placed on any property. “In general, they can go anywhere an RV or a mobile home can go,” Nauert said. “But, every city has different zonings in different areas.”

The New Vision tiny houses are available in several colors. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Anyone interested in buying a tiny house can stop by the New Vision facility to get a close-up look and talk to Jeff Baker, assistant general manager, for more information. He can also be reached at 817-757-0216.

“These are pretty much the rage right now due to HGTV and things like that,” Baker said, explaining that the tiny houses are the perfect size for a lot of older mobile home parks and newer RV communities that are common in many areas now. “College housing…these could be great for that, when you look at how much housing costs. And, a lot the inner cities are doing tiny houses for homeless people, homeless veterans and things like that.”

One of New Vision’s goals is to build affordable housing, Nauert said, so their plan is to offer the tiny houses in the mid- to upper-30s price range. Prices for specific houses will vary, depending on several factors; check with Baker or another New Vision representative for details.

“This price point is perfect for retirees, lake homes, hunting cabins, student housing, homeless housing,” Baker said.

This floor plan is for the Vail model of New Vision’s tiny houses. (Courtesy image)

This is the floor plan for the Aspen tiny house model. (Courtesy image)

Story by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

Cutline, top photo: A team of New Vision employees work on the outside and inside of a tiny house at the Breckenridge manufacturing facility. The crews are now building both “man camp” housing and tiny houses. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

For previous Breckenridge Texan articles about New Vision Manufacturing, click the links below:

• New business in town to hire up to 50 employees this week
• New Vision plant rolls out first finished ‘man camp’
• New Vision Manufacturing Tour and Ribbon Cutting (Breckenridge Texan Photo Gallery)