Building a Debt-Free High-Performance Home: Our First Year

Starting the Dream

In 2025, we bought six acres of wooded land. After more than 18 months of cleanup, site preparation, designing our house, and splitting the project into phases, we were finally ready to start.

The goal was simple but ambitious: build a debt-free, high-performance, addition-ready home.

Breaking Ground

On march 21st, 2025, we officially broke ground on our garage apartment. This was the start of countless nights and weekends of hard work, balanced alongside full-time jobs.

The first shovel into the earth marked the beginning of a journey we had been planning for years. We knew the work would be long and tough, but the dream of building a home with our own hands pushed us forward.

Early Foundation Work

We began with site excavation and footings. Anchoring, leveling, and preparing the ground were the first major steps.

Some unexpected moments added humor along the way, like when a frog decided the center footing was a perfect spot to take a bath.

We carved out stone, anchored bolts, and secured plates. Our slab was tarped over and watered daily, protecting it as it cured. There were lessons learned and challenges faced, but every small milestone moved the project closer to reality.

First Day of Framing

By July 2nd, 2022, the first day of framing arrived. Carefully laying out the structure square was critical. Each piece had to be precise, since this was the base that everything else would connect to.

We found a jib boom crane on a marketplace, which turned out to be an incredible help. Lifting heavy beams became manageable, and the process moved faster. Slowly, the walls rose, and the garage apartment began to take shape.

Plumbing and Mechanical Work

Alongside framing, the plumbing system started to come together. Our manifold would be mounted nearby, and we began installing pipe runs and fittings.

We tarped over the slab, watering it daily to help it cure, and we faced a few issues along the way — lessons that would stay with us as we moved forward.

Electrical Beginnings

Temporary power and lighting were essential to keep the work going into late evenings. A few inexpensive lights made it possible to work after dark, and the excitement of seeing the very first electric meter spin to life was unforgettable.

“Wait for it… we have power.”

Personal Milestones Alongside the Build

This project was more than construction — it became the backdrop of our lives.

• A marriage proposal: After six years together, the words came: “These have been the best six years of my life. Will you marry me?” The answer: “Yes.”
• Birthdays on site: Work didn’t stop for celebrations. On Alex’s 27th birthday, the day was still filled with measuring, cutting, and lifting.

These moments reminded us that building a home is about much more than materials — it’s about building a life.

Water Connection

Another major highlight was finally connecting water. The sound of it flowing for the first time was incredible.

“We got water. I’m stoked.”

It meant no more hauling water from elsewhere, and it symbolized another piece of independence falling into place.

Painting and Early Finishes

As framing and systems took shape, we reached the point where painting could begin. It was simple: two buckets, rollers, and patience.

Seeing fresh paint on the walls gave the project new life. It was the first time the garage apartment started to look less like a worksite and more like a livable space.

Septic System Installation

The next big task was the septic system. Finally, we could move on from paying for a portable toilet and invest in a long-term solution.

The key was to protect the topsoil and organic matter while installing the tank and lines. Solid-core pipes were laid out and connected. The system was tested and finalized: pipes designed to disperse wastewater into the septic bed.

“This clean-out here and this stub of pipe will be for our future house connection.”

With everything complete, the system worked exactly as it should. Another huge milestone was checked off the list.

Long Days and Humor on Site

Not every day was glamorous. Some days were spent bending fittings, tightening connections, and redoing parts that weren’t perfect the first time.

“Are you serious? I know, that’s what I just said.”
“It’s not tight enough. Oh, it’s not tight at all.”

There were mistakes, but there was also laughter. Dirty jokes, spilled water, fittings that had to be replaced for the fifth time — all of it became part of the journey.

Enjoying the Small Moments

Through the hard work, we made time to pause and enjoy life. Coffee breaks became a ritual, a reminder to slow down and appreciate the process.

“It’s good to take five minutes and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee every now and then. We only have one life to live, so soak it up.”

Even meals over an open fire turned into memories. “Don’t fall into the fire, that’s key,” one of us joked, while steam rose from the pot.

The project wasn’t just about construction — it was about living each moment to the fullest.

Systems Coming Together

Electrical panels were mounted, pipes were connected, and fittings tightened. Slowly but surely, everything found its place.

“Look at that panel — that’s beautiful.”

Each small success built confidence and momentum.

Final Months of the First Year

As the months rolled on, the site began to transform. What once was only dirt and brush now had structure, paint, plumbing, power, and systems that worked.

By late in the year, we installed final pipes, adjusted fittings, and completed finishing touches. There were setbacks — loose connections, leaks, and repeated adjustments — but every issue taught us something new.

The electrical meter was set, power flowed, and lights glowed for the first time. With temporary fixtures in place, the garage apartment felt alive.

Celebrations Along the Way

Milestones blended with personal life. Birthdays were celebrated on-site with work boots still on. Jokes were shared while tightening fittings. Meals cooked outdoors became rituals after long workdays.

It was during these ordinary moments that the extraordinary became clear: we weren’t just building a structure, we were building a home.

Lessons Learned

Mistakes happened, but they made us better builders. Every loose pipe, every misaligned fitting, every re-do gave us experience we couldn’t buy.

There were nights when exhaustion set in, but we learned to pause, laugh, and remind ourselves of the bigger goal: a debt-free, high-performance home, built by our own hands.

Powering On

The day power officially connected was unforgettable. Watching the electric meter spin up from zero was a reward for every hour of work poured into the project.

“We have power.”

With water and power both running, the apartment was finally functional.

Reflections After One Year

Looking back, the first year was filled with challenges, laughter, hard work, and unforgettable moments. From breaking ground to finishing paint, from water connection to electricity, every milestone built not only a home but also memories that will last forever.

“We’ve come a long way and still have a long way to go. Dream big and get to work, because life is short — and a year from now, you may wish you had started today.”

Table: Year-One Milestones in Our Garage Apartment Build