An Airbnb cofounder's new startup is building $289,000 prefab tiny homes that can be set up in a few hours see inside the units
![An Airbnb cofounder's new startup is building $289,000 prefab tiny homes that can be set up in a few hours — see inside the units](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-95559114%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-416276%2Fan-airbnb-cofounderaposs-new-startup-is-building-289000-prefab-tiny-homes-that-can-be-set-up-in-a-few-hours-ampmdash-see-inside-the-units.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Samara
- Airbnb's Joe Gebbia is now the cofounder of Samara, a startup building backyard tiny homes.
- Samara's studio and one-bedroom ADUs start at $290,000 including instillation costs.
Airbnb's cofounder Joe Gebbia has said goodbye to short-term rentals and hello to backyard tiny homes, signaling the continued boom of the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) market.
![Airbnb](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559600,width-700,height-525,imgsize-34832/airbnbaposs-cofounder-joe-gebbia-has-said-goodbye-to-short-term-rentals-and-hello-to-backyard-tiny-homes-signaling-the-continued-boom-of-the-accessory-dwelling-unit-adu-market-.jpg)
Mike Windle/Getty Images for Airbnb
Gebbia is now the cofounder of Samara, a tiny home startup with plans to factory-build studios and one-bedrooms that can be dropped into its customers' backyards.
![Gebbia is now the cofounder of Samara, a tiny home startup with plans to factory-build studios and one-bedrooms that can be dropped into its customers](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559594,width-700,height-525,imgsize-456376/gebbia-is-now-the-cofounder-of-samara-a-tiny-home-startup-with-plans-to-factory-build-studios-and-one-bedrooms-that-can-be-dropped-into-its-customersapos-backyards-.jpg)
Samara
Samara started as Airbnb's in-house design studio in 2016 before becoming its own entity this year, Konrad Putzier reported for The Wall Street Journal.
![Samara started as Airbnb](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559586,width-700,height-525,imgsize-104644/samara-started-as-airbnbaposs-in-house-design-studio-in-2016-before-becoming-its-own-entity-this-year-konrad-putzier-reported-for-the-wall-street-journal-.jpg)
Samara
Source: Airbnb, The Wall Street Journal
But the startup hasn't wholly abandoned its relationship with Silicon Valley's beloved company.
![But the startup hasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559574,width-700,height-525,imgsize-138996/but-the-startup-hasnapost-wholly-abandoned-its-relationship-with-silicon-valleyaposs-beloved-company-.jpg)
Samara
Instead, it's backed by Airbnb.
![Instead, it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559563,width-700,height-525,imgsize-72952/instead-itaposs-backed-by-airbnb-.jpg)
Tero Vesalainen / Shutterstock
And Samara's first employees — including its other cofounder Mike McNamara — all previously worked at the vacation rental company.
![And Samara](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559554,width-700,height-525,imgsize-127586/and-samaraaposs-first-employees-x2014-including-its-other-cofounder-mike-mcnamara-x2014-all-previously-worked-at-the-vacation-rental-company-.jpg)
Samara
The new Bay Area, California company isn't selling a novel idea.
![The new Bay Area, California company isn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559541,width-700,height-525,imgsize-142562/the-new-bay-area-california-company-isnapost-selling-a-novel-idea-.jpg)
Samara
Accessory dwelling units have been making waves in the real estate market for several years now.
![Accessory dwelling units have been making waves in the real estate market for several years now.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559532,width-700,height-525,imgsize-514404/accessory-dwelling-units-have-been-making-waves-in-the-real-estate-market-for-several-years-now-.jpg)
Samara
The detached ADUs — often affectionately called "tiny homes" — add extra square footage to a property, increasing value while giving homeowners a separate guest bedroom, office, or gym.
![The detached ADUs — often affectionately called "tiny homes" — add extra square footage to a property, increasing value while giving homeowners a separate guest bedroom, office, or gym.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559516,width-700,height-525,imgsize-182940/the-detached-adus-x2014-often-affectionately-called-quottiny-homesquot-x2014-add-extra-square-footage-to-a-property-increasing-value-while-giving-homeowners-a-separate-guest-bedroom-office-or-gym-.jpg)
Samara
And when rented out (often for a price more affordable than traditional homes), these little units can generate a stable stream of income for the property owner.
![And when rented out (often for a price more affordable than traditional homes), these little units can generate a stable stream of income for the property owner.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559507,width-700,height-525,imgsize-103254/and-when-rented-out-often-for-a-price-more-affordable-than-traditional-homes-these-little-units-can-generate-a-stable-stream-of-income-for-the-property-owner-.jpg)
Samara
Homeowners on the West Coast have been increasingly adding these popular little living units to their backyards …
![Homeowners on the West Coast have been increasingly adding these popular little living units to their backyards …](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559504,width-700,height-525,imgsize-91914/homeowners-on-the-west-coast-have-been-increasingly-adding-these-popular-little-living-units-to-their-backyards-x2026.jpg)
Samara
Source: The Atlantic
… and with the help of new local ordinances, the trend is now picking up on the east coast as well.
![… and with the help of new local ordinances, the trend is now picking up on the east coast as well.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559498,width-700,height-525,imgsize-103556/x2026-and-with-the-help-of-new-local-ordinances-the-trend-is-now-picking-up-on-the-east-coast-as-well-.jpg)
Samara
Source: The New York Times
And as more states and cities begin promoting ADUs, these tiny but mighty homes could spur what The Atlantic has called a potential "housing revolution" in the suburbs.
![And as more states and cities begin promoting ADUs, these tiny but mighty homes could spur what The Atlantic has called a potential "housing revolution" in the suburbs.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559492,width-700,height-525,imgsize-122812/and-as-more-states-and-cities-begin-promoting-adus-these-tiny-but-mighty-homes-could-spur-what-the-atlantic-has-called-a-potential-quothousing-revolutionquot-in-the-suburbs-.jpg)
Samara
Source: The Atlantic
Over the years, several tiny home makers have accumulated months-long waitlists.
![Over the years, several tiny home makers have accumulated months-long waitlists.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559479,width-700,height-525,imgsize-119034/over-the-years-several-tiny-home-makers-have-accumulated-months-long-waitlists-.jpg)
A photo shared with Insider appears to show Boxabl delivering a Casita to SpaceX. Jorge Ramirez 9:44
Source: Insider
And now, Samara is looking to cash in on this skyrocketing ADU trend.
![And now, Samara is looking to cash in on this skyrocketing ADU trend.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559471,width-700,height-525,imgsize-79148/and-now-samara-is-looking-to-cash-in-on-this-skyrocketing-adu-trend-.jpg)
Samara
Like any backyard tiny home, the startup says its units can be used as backyard sanctuaries, offices, rentals, and guest rooms.
![Like any backyard tiny home, the startup says its units can be used as backyard sanctuaries, offices, rentals, and guest rooms.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559466,width-700,height-525,imgsize-137858/like-any-backyard-tiny-home-the-startup-says-its-units-can-be-used-as-backyard-sanctuaries-offices-rentals-and-guest-rooms-.jpg)
Samara
Source: Samara
It currently has two models: a $290,000 studio and a $330,000 one-bedroom. Both prices include installation costs.
![It currently has two models: a $290,000 studio and a $330,000 one-bedroom. Both prices include installation costs.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559456,width-700,height-525,imgsize-106432/it-currently-has-two-models-a-290000-studio-and-a-330000-one-bedroom-both-prices-include-installation-costs-.jpg)
Samara
The homes will power themselves using solar panels.
![The homes will power themselves using solar panels.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559448,width-700,height-525,imgsize-363878/the-homes-will-power-themselves-using-solar-panels-.jpg)
Samara
And inside, the units will look akin to a small city apartment.
![And inside, the units will look akin to a small city apartment.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559442,width-700,height-525,imgsize-138916/and-inside-the-units-will-look-akin-to-a-small-city-apartment-.jpg)
Samara
Think window-lined walls, open floor plans, and modern amenities.
![Think window-lined walls, open floor plans, and modern amenities.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559436,width-700,height-525,imgsize-104446/think-window-lined-walls-open-floor-plans-and-modern-amenities-.jpg)
Samara
The 430-square-foot studio has a kitchen with a cooktop and dishwasher, a full bathroom with a washer and dryer, and enough space in the living room for a bed …
![The 430-square-foot studio has a kitchen with a cooktop and dishwasher, a full bathroom with a washer and dryer, and enough space in the living room for a bed …](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559429,width-700,height-525,imgsize-93700/the-430-square-foot-studio-has-a-kitchen-with-a-cooktop-and-dishwasher-a-full-bathroom-with-a-washer-and-dryer-and-enough-space-in-the-living-room-for-a-bed-x2026.jpg)
Samara
… while the larger 550-square-foot build has all the same amenities plus an additional bedroom that can accommodate a desk and a dresser.
![… while the larger 550-square-foot build has all the same amenities plus an additional bedroom that can accommodate a desk and a dresser.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559422,width-700,height-525,imgsize-144392/x2026-while-the-larger-550-square-foot-build-has-all-the-same-amenities-plus-an-additional-bedroom-that-can-accommodate-a-desk-and-a-dresser-.jpg)
Samara
And customers won't have to wait years for their build: Samara's units have a seven-month lead time with the help of the manufacturing process.
![And customers won](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559413,width-700,height-525,imgsize-417774/and-customers-wonapost-have-to-wait-years-for-their-build-samaraaposs-units-have-a-seven-month-lead-time-with-the-help-of-the-manufacturing-process-.jpg)
Samara
The steel-framed homes will be built in Samara's factory and delivered to the customers' backyards using a flatbed truck.
![The steel-framed homes will be built in Samara](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559409,width-700,height-525,imgsize-49340/the-steel-framed-homes-will-be-built-in-samaraaposs-factory-and-delivered-to-the-customersapos-backyards-using-a-flatbed-truck-.jpg)
Samara
Source: Samara
To make the setup and delivery process easier on the buyer, Samara will also handle logistics like preparing the backyard foundation, handling the permitting process, and using a crane to install the home.
![To make the setup and delivery process easier on the buyer, Samara will also handle logistics like preparing the backyard foundation, handling the permitting process, and using a crane to install the home.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559397,width-700,height-525,imgsize-231442/to-make-the-setup-and-delivery-process-easier-on-the-buyer-samara-will-also-handle-logistics-like-preparing-the-backyard-foundation-handling-the-permitting-process-and-using-a-crane-to-install-the-home-.jpg)
Samara
For now, the startup's tiny homes will only be available in California, a particularly ADU-friendly state.
![For now, the startup](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559378,width-700,height-525,imgsize-61050/for-now-the-startupaposs-tiny-homes-will-only-be-available-in-california-a-particularly-adu-friendly-state-.jpg)
Samara
But with the rapid growth of the tiny home market, don't be surprised if you see a Samara — or any other tiny home — in your neighbor's backyard soon.
![But with the rapid growth of the tiny home market, don](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-95559357,width-700,height-525,imgsize-222158/but-with-the-rapid-growth-of-the-tiny-home-market-donapost-be-surprised-if-you-see-a-samara-x2014-or-any-other-tiny-home-x2014-in-your-neighboraposs-backyard-soon-.jpg)
Samara
Advertisement