When Boxabl co-founder Galiano Tiramani first chatted with BUILDER in 2022, the tech-based, mass-production home company was getting ready to move into its second factory and had roughly 200 orders under its belt.
Excited for the company’s foldable and shippable Casita homes and future potential, Tiramani was ready for the next phase as they were planning for a third factory and extensive equipment upgrades. Two years later, Tiramani says a third factory is running in Las Vegas but regulations and state building code approvals have often dampened the thrill.
In the very state where the 361-square-foot Casitas are manufactured, Boxabl has yet to gain state approval despite the company’s building panels being recognized as meeting the international building code. A process that has come with resistance yet a lot of persistence on Boxabl’s end.
“For every state that we do get approval, we come back to the drawing board to add or adjust those code changes so that we can eventually hopefully have one universal product,” Tiramani says.
At the end of last year, Boxabl celebrated approval in Arizona after passing testing requirements for safety and building materials and earning the confidence of officials that the Casitas are in line with the rules and regulations of factory-built homes for the state.
In May, Boxabl’s housing modules were approved under the California Residential Building Code. Tiramani believes the Casitas are a perfect fit for the California’s housing needs. He says, "Getting approval to offer our Boxabl Casita in California is a pivotal step forward in our commitment to tackling the affordable housing crisis."
Boxabl has also been approved in Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming (all pending local building department approvals), and most recently, New Mexico, where Boxabl gained regulatory approval to sell its Casitas statewide just last month.
To stay efficient and sustainable, Boxabl has developed a dealer network to help with the boots-on-the-ground tasks associated with ordering and installing a Boxabl unit.
“Customers are able to look up a dealer in their area, but also dealers are able to see the potential customers as well,” Tiramani explains. “Organically, they can connect for a site visit. The dealer is somewhat the ‘customer’ of Boxabl who is buying the unit from us while also holding the hand of the end user to get it done.”
Boxabl now has a network of 80 dealers and counting with Casitas being available to order online. So far, the factories have produced 600 units and Tiramani says there are many more underway. This includes a 100-home project with partner D.R. Horton plus additional Boxabl “villages” through a strategic partnership with Diamond Lake Minerals, Inc.
As for what’s next, Boxabl is looking at expanding its Casita offerings to meet larger footprints through connectable and stackable products and scouring the Lone Star State for its fourth “monster” factory location.
Despite the weary process of pushing for state approvals, Tiramini is confident in the company's progess so far and remains hopeful. “We’re going to keep working,” he says.
The co-founder recommends keeping an eye on social media for updates, and if visiting Nevada, touring factory 1 which is open for tours.
