Crafting quality homes

When local custom home builder Jason O’Neill faced rising costs during COVID, the Surf Coast resident changed tactics and made the switch to constructing tiny homes.

After taking some time away from building and working out what he wanted to do next, Mr O’Neill kept going back to the idea of tiny homes – defined as moveable dwellings, often built on trailers, that are suitable for residential use.

Coming from a registered building background, he will include all the elements normally built into a custom home, using his experience and knowledge from across his 35 year career.

“I want to bring a modern, architectural look to these homes,” he said.

“There’s nothing wrong with how they are, they’re functional and some of the builders are quite amazing at it, but I want to bring a registered builder with years of experience and throw some really great ideas into it.”

Mr O’Neill sees the homes as an option for young adults wanting to move out of home but can’t afford rent, or for those unable to buy a house.

The new business is a family venture, with Mr O’Neill working alongside his son and nephew, while his wife Tania is on hand for all things interior design, elevating the homes even further.

Inspiration for the business came after attending the Tiny Home Expo in Geelong several years ago where Mr O’Neill and his family noticed the need for housing.

 

“People were crying in the forums because they had nowhere to rent,” he said.

“I got into it because I wanted to help people and do something that stimulated myself as well, because I’m a real craftsmen, so I can do most of it myself.”

Trading as Little Luxe Haus by Jason O’Neill Builder, the local team intend on constructing the homes to a high quality that will withstand the test of time.

“These could be an 80 to 100 year package the way I plan to build them, they’ll be built exactly like a house, but on a trailer,” Mr O’Neill said.

“Coming from a registered building background, nothing will break or go wrong with these homes and they [the customer] will have that knowledge, years and years of knowledge.”

The Surf Coast Shire is presently trialling a Tiny Houses on Wheels Pilot across the municipality as it seeks solutions to affordable housing and key worker accommodation.

Running until 2026, the pilot aims to assess the impacts and evaluate the contributions of tiny houses on privately owned land.

Mr O’Neill would also like to see tiny houses used more across the region and hopes to introduce the buildings to vineyards and farmland to create the ultimate holiday stays.

“I want to provide an avenue for farmers to make an extra income,” he said.

“My real target audience would be from Torquay to Apollo Bay and farms towards Colac so they could have farm stays.

“People could sit there and take in farm life, potentially wake up to the produce from the farm to throw together as breakfast and listen to the birds in a beautiful tiny home.”

For more information, head to jasononeillbuilder.com.au