Eleven-year-old Luke Thill had already started an ambitious project: constructing a miniature house in the backyard of his parent’s home in Dubuque, Iowa.
He worked hard for a year and a half to build a fantastic 89-square-foot home on a budget of $1,500 that he got by doing different things around the neighborhood.
Despite being young, Luke could finish this task because he worked hard and was determined.
He was able to stay within his budget by getting parts from local hardware stores and taking advantage of deals online. He even set aside time to watch carpentry and building videos to develop his abilities.
Luke bought his first house at the age of 13. This is something that many people still want to do.
The ultimate product is a remarkable effort and a reminder that everything is possible if you set your mind to it – no matter your age!
Luke Thill, a seventeen-year-old, has begun a fantastic journey that is only getting started. They have built and added to their ever-growing caravan of small places in the shape of a teardrop camper with his brother Cole.
Luke was determined to make small-scale living a permanent way of life for himself, and he told Insider that the process was “a fantastic experience” that changed his life.
The team worked long and hard hours to build their new mobile home. They worked carefully and with patience until it was done, slowly bringing the teardrop camper to life from the carefully planned blueprints. Luke’s enthusiasm and drive kept them going.
The building process was complicated and required careful attention to detail, like welding steel beams together to ensure they were strong, and the interior design looked good.
Luke and Cole gained valuable skills along the way, including carpentry and welding, which enabled them to build something more significant than just another tiny house.
They made a place where they could go on adventures without giving up the things that made life easier. They also made a powerful statement about how people can live effectively while reducing their environmental impact.
Because of this event, Luke could finally fully commit to his new life of minimalism and simple living.
Luke was about to spend a grey summer with nothing to do until he discovered the tiny home movement on YouTube and was inspired to build his little cabin.
After doing the math, Luke and his father determined that building this dream house would cost approximately $1,500. The 11-year-old saved money by performing different tasks around his area, such as cutting yards, helping at his grandparent’s house, and working part-time for some of his neighbors.
Luke started right away on the adventure of building his tiny house, which took a lot of hard work and dedication.
Luke had to budget carefully before beginning this job to ensure he had enough money to finish it. He performed odd jobs like pet sitting and vehicle cleaning to make ends meet so he could buy all the supplies needed for this project.
It wasn’t easy, but Luke was determined to make it happen no matter what.
Although it was a complicated and often tricky labor, Luke persevered in facing any challenges.
The little child could purchase all of the supplies he needed, including wood panels, nails, screws, bolts, drywall sheets, and instruments such as saws and drills, with the assistance of family and friends.
Luke finally accomplished his ambitions of having a modest place all to himself after months of hard work and commitment, making his vacation much more joyful!
Luke faced a considerable challenge when he built his own house from scratch. Usually, someone so young would have needed to gain the skills to do something like that.
Luke spent around 18 months putting together his ideal home with the support of his parents, with his mother assisting with interior design and his father handling the construction.
He was determined to make it happen. With the assistance of family and friends in the form of donated windows and doors and salvaged materials, Luke could lower his expenditures considerably.
Finally, by the time Luke turned 13 in the fall of 2017, he had accomplished what many would believe impossible: he had his own gorgeous small house.
Luke had stated that the modest house was never intended to be a permanent habitation, so he avoided investing in sophisticated, costly, and labor-intensive plumbing.
The primary goal of this residence was to help him with his social life by providing an enticing retreat where he could relax and entertain guests.
The house’s simple decor reflects its function. A living area with a foldable dining table allows flexible seating arrangements, while a mini kitchen contains an ultra-compact refrigerator, an electric stovetop, and a workstation.
Every detail has been carefully thought out to give you all the comforts you need while keeping things simple.
Luke was excited to start another project after finishing his tiny abode.
His enthusiasm must have been contagious, as it inspired his twin brother, Cole, to embark on a brand new journey of crafting a teardrop camper from scratch.
The tiny house also featured a unique ladder extending towards the high ceiling, where Luke would frequently spend the night and even welcome his family for dinner, including Thanksgiving one year! He also often had movie evenings here, inviting guests.
Not only is Luke’s tiny house aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, but it is also very functional. The ladder leading up to an elevated platform provides enough space for Luke to host events and social gatherings easily.
It is an essential tool for accessing the lofted area where he spends nights sleeping and creates a unique ambiance in the home – perfect for cozy evenings with loved ones or just some alone time.
When Luke and his brother started on the project, they had already invested around two and a half thousand dollars into building their own grand 36-square-foot teardrop camper before they were even 14.
The initial challenge of creating such a structure was more significant than they thought, as they had to ensure every detail was perfect for it to be safe when driving at high speeds.
Luke said building it was a lot harder than planning for a tiny house because you have to ensure the finished product is strong enough to stay together on highways.
He then stated: “You have to get things right. If you drive down the highway at 75 mph, you don’t want anything to fall apart.”
Thanks to the teardrop camper they worked on together, Luke and his brother have had an incredible opportunity to reconnect. Since completing the trailer construction in 2018, the brothers have gone on more than 50 camping excursions in Iowa and surrounding states.
The teardrop camper underwent a complete makeover in 2020, as Luke put a lot of effort into sprucing up its woodwork, fitting out new cabinets, and staining the interior.
Most significantly, though, Luke gained a profound appreciation for the community after experiencing what it was like to build a tiny home with his two hands.
Building something with his own time and money taught him many important lessons, like how important it is to work hard and manage money well and how important it is to be part of a supportive group or movement.
Luke revealed that one of the most important lessons he had learned was the value of having a solid support system from his neighbors.
He illustrated how this benefited him while constructing his camper by trading tools and electrical assistance in exchange for housekeeping. This simple project created by Luke in his backyard allowed it to become a line connecting the local community.
The teen is now more prepared than ever to embark on another venture after finishing up this camper project. He is a junior in high school, but his top priorities are spending quality time with friends, getting a part-time job, and ignoring all of his schoolwork.
Although he has set his focus on achieving success during high school right now, Luke admitted that compact living will still be a significant factor in his plans.
He has even contemplated constructing an even larger little house when he enters college as a potential living option.
