Most people would probably have built their dream home when they were at least 30 years old.
The exciting feeling of building the house of your dreams with your own hands is unmatched.
Imagine designing a plan, investing your blood, sweat, and tears, and finally seeing everything come true.
That’s exactly what Tom did. With his craftsmanship, ingenuity, and perseverance, he managed to turn his dream into reality.
And you know what? He was only 17 when he started!
High house prices and Tom’s desire for freedom motivated him to build his modest abode using recycled materials.
He realized he could build everything from scratch, using recycled materials and staying within budget.
„The idea of building the tiny house was to keep it simple and live a stress-free, simple life, honestly.
Now, I own everything I have, and I paid for everything – it all belongs to me.“
Now, at 20 years old, Tom is relieved not to have to spend his hard-earned money on rent.
„It’s just a simple life, and everything you own, once built, belongs to you…“ Tom said.
Tom’s house is located on his grandfather’s extensive property.
You can still notice that he has preserved the traditional and rustic English look with a window on the side.
He bought the trailer when he was 17 and immediately started construction, working and learning the carpentry craft, which he completed only at the end of December.
Tom used larch wood on the front, purchased from a local sawmill at an affordable price. The side panels on the back and front are fencing panels.
All the windows are recycled, bought from a store selling second-hand materials.
He recently installed the porch after buying planks from a scaffolding construction company, along with other reclaimed wood he obtained from work.
When you enter Tom’s house, the first thing you notice is the beautiful recycled wood and a poster with a picturesque seascape.
„My goal was to use only recycled wood for construction because it’s cost-effective,“ Tom said.
Most of the wood Tom used in his house was salvaged from old houses.
He took away this wood, sanded it, and reused it.
The living room has a small work area that Tom uses for work and meals.
You see a standard sofa and a wall-mounted TV. In the future, he would like to replace it with a versatile sofa with integrated storage space.
Tom also loves his kitchen. He built a fully functional countertop using recycled materials such as scaffolding planks that he sanded for hours and finally painted.
The kitchen also features essential appliances like a refrigerator, stove, and a handy toaster.
The bathroom is located across from the countertop.
It has a small chemical toilet with an electric flush.
The shower area has corrugated metal walls.
Copper pipes and fixtures give it a rustic and simple farmhouse feel.
Returning to the living room, you’ll notice a ladder leading to the loft.
The ladder can be lowered, taking you to Tom’s small but cozy bedroom with a double mattress.
Tom started building his dream home at 17, with a total cost of $8,200.
He was paid $5.50 per hour.
Despite his modest income, he managed to save most of his earnings, which he then used for the construction of his home with recycled materials at a more affordable cost.
Imagine how his house would look if he completed all the upgrades he has in mind!
Watch the video here for a complete tour of Tom’s house.