Unlike other kids who get shipped off to camp or spend their summers playing video games or just hanging out, 12-year-old Luke Thill of Dubuque, Iowa decided that he would build a house over the summer.
Not only would he build his little house with his hands, but he would also work extra hard mowing lawns in his neighborhood and helping people with errands or tasks that they needed to be done so he could fund his build
Why did this 12-year-old decide to build a home? He didn’t want to be bored. A notion that is likely the start of many important creations and discoveries.
First Luke, did some research into how he would design his home, as well what he would need to build it and how much this would all cost.
About 75 perfect of the pieces Luke used to build with were recycled materials from his grandmother’s house or other people who donated things like a front door.
It cost Luke about $1,500 to build his house. He bartered with some of his neighbors who helped him with electrical and other projects.
His parents did pitch in to help but wanted him to fund most of it on his own.
“Me and my dad really bonded during this process,” Luke said in his YouTube of his home’s tour. “Me and him spent nights and days building it and he really helped me. He was really busy but he made sure to spend time with me and coach me through the process of building a house I’m really grateful for a good dad, mom, and family.”
Not only did Luke learn woodworking, carpeting, framing, and electrical techniques, but he also learned to budget, patience and how hard work pays off.
“It was a chance for a kid to do something more than play video games or sports,” his dad Greg told The Des Moines Register. “It teaches life lessons.”
His home ended up at 89-square-feet, it is 10-feet-long and 5 1/2-feet-wide. It has electricity but lacks running water and a bathroom. The project was an 18-month process.
“I liked the minimalism,” Luke said The Des Moines Register. “And I wanted to have a house without a huge mortgage.”
Now his house, which is in his parent’s backyard, has a loft bed, microwave, TV, sitting area, flip-down table, a small deck, a barbecue and flowers in the backyard.
This is now his favorite spot to do his homework and where he sleeps a few nights during the week. Luke was even asked to speak about his build at the Jasper County Fairground and now has more than 700 subscribers on his YouTube page.
“The main purpose is to be my starter home,” he said. “I’m going to save money and expand.”
His goal is to build a larger house that he can put on a trailer that he wants to live in during college.
“I want to show kids it’s possible to build at this age,” he said.
You can take the full tour of Luke’s mini house by watching the video below.
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