Perch & Nest

Perch & Nest is a North Carolina-based builder of RV-certified tiny homes on wheels, spanning from the compact 18-foot Roost18 to the expansive 36-foot Roost36 that sleeps a family of four. The company began as a multi-generational carpentry and home restoration business before pivoting in 2014 when its founders helped friends build their first tiny house on wheels. That single project became a turning point, and the team has spent the last decade refining its craft, combining handmade construction with precision engineering to create homes that are equally at home parked in a resort or serving as a primary residence. The business now operates from a working farm in North Carolina with rental properties across the state, giving prospective buyers the chance to experience life in a Roost before committing to purchase.

The Roost lineup covers several tiers of involvement and budget. The Roost18 is a "back to basics" design that packs four sleeping spots, a soaking tub, roof access, and luxury finishes into just 18 feet of chassis. Moving up, the Roost22 and Roost32 expand the footprint with additional living space and bedroom configurations, though specifics vary by order. The flagship Roost36 is 36 feet long on an 8.5-foot-wide chassis, 13.5 feet tall, and built on a travel trailer RV title that qualifies it as a certified recreational vehicle. It features two bedroom lofts, a farmhouse-style kitchen, full bath, and a screened-in porch that extends the usable outdoor space. The company also introduced a new 10 by 38-foot park model line, pushing into the upper range of park model specifications. Each model is RVIA-certified, meaning it meets the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association standards for construction, safety, and habitability as a mobile RV. This certification opens doors to RV parks and resort communities across the country that require formal RV compliance.

Perch & Nest operates three core business lines. The DIY shell option is the entry point for customers who want to build their own interior with the company providing the structure, utilities rough-in, and framing. This path dramatically reduces cost and gives builders complete control over layout and finishes. The RV-certified shell sits in the middle: a pre-built exterior and utilities core ready for interior finishing by the buyer or a contractor. The move-in-ready tiny house RV (THRV) is the turnkey option, fully finished and ready for immediate occupancy or rental. Move-in-ready models start around $49,000 for a 12-foot single-level unit, with pricing scaling upward into six figures for the larger Roost models; a 2017 Roost36 has sold for between $95,000 and $140,000 depending on condition and market timing. The process is designed to be customizable at any tier, with the company offering detailed quotes and virtual tours so buyers can plan before committing. Perch & Nest also operates a rental arm, with furnished Roost units available for short-term stays across several North Carolina locations including Black Mountain, Raleigh, and Sylva, letting curious buyers test drive the tiny-home lifestyle before purchase.

The construction philosophy emphasizes handcrafted quality and material durability. Perch & Nest uses high-quality building materials and pays attention to details that make a difference in daily living: water systems engineered for full-time use, roofing that lasts decades, framing that feels solid, and interior finishes that balance functionality with aesthetics. The Roost36, for example, features retractable rear doors that open the living space to the outdoors when parked, a 100-percent recycled-material deck, and a layout that manages flow and storage efficiently in 360 square feet. The company's history in home restoration and renovation means the team has learned how traditional homes age and what fails first, lessons they've applied to tiny-house design to avoid the rookie mistakes that plague some competitors. Virtual tours and real-time updates from the Instagram account (which tracks new builds and client projects) show work that is thoughtful rather than rushed.

Pricing for a fully custom Roost build generally lands in the $90,000 to $140,000 range for the larger models, though the exact cost depends heavily on customization, materials, and delivery distance. The DIY and shell options are substantially cheaper, as labor is the bulk of a finished-home cost. Perch & Nest quotes by order rather than publishing fixed price lists, a common practice in the tiny-home space because each build is customized and material costs shift. Buyers can also purchase "already hatched" used models that the company has completed or taken back, which can offer savings if the floorplan and features match. Delivery and setup are included in quoted prices within a reasonable distance; moves beyond the regional area would incur additional costs. The rental properties on the website give a sense of realistic operating costs and lifestyle fit, as many rental customers eventually convert to ownership.

The company's location in North Carolina positions it well for customers in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, though the RVIA certification means a Roost can legally travel to RV parks nationwide. The rental presence in multiple NC towns creates a network effect: a customer can rent for a week, connect with local tiny-home owners, and understand the practical realities before buying. For buyers outside the Southeast, the challenge is logistics and delivery cost; a Roost built in North Carolina will need transport to distant states. The company does handle this but the shipping costs add materially to the total.

Perch & Nest stands out in a crowded tiny-home market because it has built a viable, profitable business that spans manufacturing, retail, and hospitality without losing focus on quality. The founders' background in traditional carpentry gives the brand credibility, the multiple revenue streams (sales, rentals, shells) suggest staying power, and the consistent content and active community presence indicate a team invested in the space for the long term. Buyers who are geographically flexible and drawn to the farmhouse aesthetic and hands-on craftsmanship will find genuine value here. Those seeking maximum customization, a proven track record of resale value, or a builder willing to adapt designs on the fly are a strong fit. For anyone in or near the Carolinas considering a park-model or RV-certified tiny home, Perch & Nest deserves serious consideration.