The Boy Who Impressively Built His House at the Age of 13

We all have dreams in life, and one of the most common ones is owning a house one day. This is because it not only signifies a sense of accomplishment but also shows the status of our lives while symbolizing new beginnings. In fact, in the United States, it is part of the American dream for more than 90% of the population, according to Harvard University.

For most people, the road to home ownership involves years of saving to build or buy a dream home. However, nobody expects a middle school child to be worried about owning a house. But 13-year-old Luke Thill was, and despite his age and lack of adequate resources, he worked tirelessly on his dream. Who knew that one could spend just $1,500 to build a complete house? Well, let’s see how he pulled it off.

Small Hands, Giant Dreams

The world is full of wondrous things that we can’t help but marvel at, and Luke’s story is one of them. It’s warranted to have many questions about his thoughts when he planned the 89-square-foot multi-level home project, including a bathroom.

Luke was just bored during summer break, and what started as a search for DIY projects on YouTube ended in an entire house project, much to the disbelief of everyone around him. And he refers to it as his “starter home,” meaning there’s more to come.

A Moment of Inspiration

What Luke did was unheard of, and it raises the question of the reason behind his different idea. Luckily, there’s a simple answer to that: schoolchildren have a lot of time on their hands during long summer breaks.

Like most of his peers, Luke was on YouTube regularly when the idea of a tiny house caught his eye. From then on, he looked at almost every video about the project, and he was simply obsessed and wanted to do it.

Not Your Ordinary Child

Summer breaks are perhaps one of the most boring times in the school calendar, especially for children. Most of them spend their time causing trouble, playing PlayStation, or just idling around, but none of these activities appealed to Luke.

Despite his age, he felt that he could do something different from his peers, and he started working on it. It was only a matter of how much he was willing to put into his dream, but that didn’t deter him.

Getting the Green Light

One of the best things about growing up is that we don’t have to ask for permission from anyone to do anything, at least most of the time. However, at just 13 years of age, Luke had to ask for his parents’ approval.

Luke’s parents had kept a close eye on him, and they knew how in love he was with the project. Therefore, it didn’t take much convincing to allow him to start it on their four-acre family property.

Dad’s Ground Rules

Luke’s father, Greg Thill, was more than okay with his son’s project, and he took the opportunity to teach him about independence and financial management. This meant that Luke would have to raise the money independently and decide on the materials while staying within the budget.

These demands may seem harsh, but Luke wasn’t bothered. With determination, he knew that if he set his eyes on the prize, it would only be a matter of time before he implemented his plans.

You’re On Your Own

While Greg was excited that his son had undertaken the challenge of building his own home, he did not let his daddy feelings get the best of him. Perhaps it was time he allowed his son to learn the hard way—by experience.

The process involved everything it took to build an ordinary home, including research, planning, execution, and budget management. There was a lot to learn along the way, and luckily, Luke was more than willing to experience it all.

Learning The Hard Way

Parenting is one of the hardest things to do. It is always inspiring to see children grow up and start learning about life, and while most parents feel the need to hold their children’s hands, sometimes it’s better to let them experience life on their own.

According to Greg, this was the perfect opportunity for his son to “do something more than play video games or sports.” It’s not that he wasn’t happy for him, but it was better to let him learn life’s lessons.

First Things First; The Money

Money is perhaps the most important requirement for building a home. According to Rocket Mortgage, a simple home-building project costs an average of $285k. However, Luke and Greg set the budget for the mini home at $1,500, which he had to earn.

While $1,500 is not a huge amount for most people, it definitely was for Luke. He knew he would get help from very few people, so he earned money by mowing lawns and getting help online.

Working Smart

As the days passed, Luke discovered the difficulty of the project without sufficient money. He could have easily decided to give up on his dream, but that was never an option; nothing would stand in his way!

Luke had to improvise while looking for people to help him with his project. He had to mow the Scout Leader’s lawn to get a carpet for his bedroom and clean his neighbor’s garage so he could do the wiring for the house.

A Proud Dad

Luke’s dad made sure to follow up on the project to ensure that it was within the budget and to avoid any unanticipated mishaps. With every step of the way, he became more and more impressed by his son’s ability.

In the end, Greg would admit just how driven Luke was for his age. After all, he displayed excellent relentlessness even when the project got stalled due to budget constraints and the execution of the plans that he had made.

Saving Every Penny

Many still don’t believe that Luke’s home cost just $1,500 to build. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without adapting some form of minimalism along the way. And with his father’s help, he could do that effectively.

Some of the things he reused were his grandmother’s house siding and an old door given to him by his uncle’s friend. When asked about his minimalism, Luke commented that he loved that he could build a house with a smaller mortgage.

A Helping Hand

Luke was not only calculating with his budget but also about the help he got. He was able to get the house’s door from his uncle’s friend, who also provided the windows he needed for the house.

His uncle’s friend was supportive of the cause, as he also didn’t want Luke to have a house without a door and windows. After all, no one wants to live in a house without doors and windows and contend with nosy, peeping neighbors.

A Sustainable Home

One of the most important factors to consider when building a house is its environmental friendliness. This is essential in every part of our daily lives, and Luke adhered to it while building his home.

Luke’s house was small to start with. Moreover, he reused and recycled many of the materials, which accumulated into more than 75% of the house. They not only helped to save the environment but also reduced the cost of his construction by a significant amount.

Liveable Home?

Looking at Luke’s home, it’s impossible to tell that it was built by a 13-year-old. It has a small deck outside and a stable floor plan. The used sliding is made of half vinyl and half cedar shakes, making it economical.

From the outside, it is a beautiful work by a talented boy, and measuring 5.5 feet wide and 10 feet long, one can’t help but ask if it really is liveable and if he lives there. Let’s find out.

My Humble Abode

Luke began construction in June 2016, and after nearly a year, it was done, and he was ready to welcome people inside. He held an opening party for everyone to come and witness what he had done with his talent.

Inside Luke’s house are a small kitchen area with a counter and a sitting area with a large ottoman, fit for him and a couple of guests. He also has a mounted TV in one corner and a flip-down table beneath it.

Not a House?

Different countries and cities have different naming conventions when it comes to the types of houses. While Luke and everyone around him believes that his small house is fully qualified to be a home, the city council doesn’t seem to think so.

With little room downstairs and a ladder leading to the upstairs loft, the city codes refer to the structure as a “glorified shade,” according to Luke’s father. However, that did not stop the word about his house from spreading.

Going Viral

Social media has made it easier for people to share their thoughts, experiences, and talents. Luke was not shy about letting the world know about his achievement, so he took a video tour of the house and uploaded it on his YouTube channel.

As expected, the video garnered thousands of views, and it was no surprise, as it was unheard of that a boy as young as he could build his own home. But only he knew the challenges he had to overcome.

Not All Smooth-Sailing

It is in human nature to be critical of ideas that we don’t think will come to fruition. Therefore, it was no surprise that some people, both at home and at school, thought that Luke’s dreams would never come true.

While most of his peers would crumble under such pressure, he was determined to prove anyone who doubted him wrong. He kept working towards his dream, and the end result astonished anyone who saw it, even those who criticized him.

Like Wildfire

In small towns where people live like neighbors, some news doesn’t even have to be on TV for it to spread. Luke’s hometown, Dubuque, had a population of just 58,000 people in 2017. Therefore, it was no surprise that the news spread quickly.

Everyone wanted to see this 13-year-old and the house he had built. Even those who couldn’t come physically took to his YouTube channel to witness the wonder, which made the channel get media attention in no time.

A Special Case

Luke’s story was definitely an inspiring one. This is not only because of the way he built it but also because of his age. This made it even more exceptional and unheard of, which is what almost everyone, especially on social media, loves to see.

He recalls that one of the things that motivated him to start the project was that there was no one younger than him doing all the projects that he had watched on YouTube. So why not be the first?

Looked Up On

Luke had known since the beginning that it would be phenomenal if he achieved the milestone of completing the project, so he started documenting everything in videos, from planning and design to execution. What he didn’t realize was how much of an inspiration he was.

Upon completing his project, Luke was the youngest person to do it. However, many children started texting him afterward and sharing pictures of the tiny homes they were building. Interestingly, some of them were even younger than him.

The Big Story

While at school one day, Luke was called to the principal’s office, and as any student would be, he was terrified that he might have done something wrong. However, he was always a bright student, and his grades never dipped, even when focusing on construction.

The media is always on hand to capture the latest and most exciting events, and Luke’s story was a masterpiece. When he arrived at the principal’s office, a reporter wanted to interview him about his accomplishment.

Cleaning Up Messes

Luke had learned a lot from his time building the house. Most of these lessons had to be learned the hard way through mistakes, and there were countless of them. One of the first things he learned was how to overcome disappointment.

In the process of applying the finishing touches to the house, Luke recalls his experience while designing the countertop with colored broken glass and lacquer. The lacquer, unfortunately, ran all over everything, and it was a tricky mess to clean.

Small Home, Big Lessons

When Luke told his parents about his aspirations, they were happy to let him do it on his own. One of the main reasons for this is that it was easier for him to learn a lot during the project, even if it was through mistakes.

Challenges are part of life, and how we react to them matters. That said, the challenges that Luke faced would rattle any grown person, let alone a child, but his determination was always greater.

A Home to Live In?

Not all houses are liveable, but one can only imagine the experience of living in Luke’s mini home. Looking at it, it has almost all the essentials of a regular home, including electricity, running water, and a bathroom.

However, the house also lacks some basic amenities, such as an A/C and a plumbing system, as it is built in the backyard of Luke’s parents’ home. Other than that, the 89-square-foot tiny home is entirely liveable for him and anyone else who would like to.

A Boy With Many Talents

There are many benefits to parents identifying their children’s talents early on in life. This boosts their motivation and confidence, and KLukes parents have definitely excelled in that area, as it seems like building is not his only hobby.

For the first meal in his new home, Luke posted a photo of himself frying eggs. While we can’t call him a cook for just that, his cooking skills were impressive, and it appears to be one of his other talents.

All In on the Fame

Interesting things are happening all over the world and being shared on social media daily. Luke’s house remained in the headlines for months, and it finally came to the attention of TinyFest Midwest, a festival that promotes and celebrates tiny houses.

Thanks to YouTube, the festival saw his impressive work and contacted him. He was also asked to give a speech and did exceptionally well in presenting a brief talk about his house in the presence of some special guests.

Perfect for You

Luke continued to make some changes to his mini house as he saw fit, and he added an electric stovetop, a small fridge, and a separate bedroom. In the end, the house measured 89 square feet, which is impressive for a 13-year-old.

To make it more suitable for his lifestyle, he also added extra storage space under the marble countertop in the kitchen area. It’s the perfect home for a young boy like him, as it has all the essentials.

Little “Man Cave”

It took Luke at least a year to fully complete his tiny home. However, he was not only looking for fame but also creating a mini home for him to live in, and he did everything he could to make the dream come true.

While he doesn’t live in the house full-time, that’s where he spends most of his time when he’s not in school. Moreover, he also regularly does his homework and sleeps there a few nights a week.

Perfect Hang-out Spot

One may be concerned about the size of the house and if it can accommodate visitors, but it did during the opening party. This is thanks to the massive backyard that it has. And, after all, who doesn’t love backyard parties?

The exterior space in the house comes in handy when Luke invites his friends from school over. They regularly hold parties and even have great cookouts in the area. We are sure his peers can’t help but envy his massive talent.

Front-Page Worthy

The history of tiny houses dates back to the ’30s when the Tiny House Movement was formed to encourage the downsizing of living spaces. Modern pioneers such as Sarah Susanka, who detailed tiny houses in her writing, would be proud of Luke’s work.

However, one may wonder why Luke’s remarkable story gained so much attention. There are many reasons, including that he was just a 13-year-old boy who did something that some people never manage, and the fame didn’t end there.

Made It to TV

Luke’s story grew significantly in popularity as the views on his YouTube channel did. All big media houses were talking about it, and he appeared on the front pages of both the Des Moines Register and the Telegraph Herald.

It was only a matter of time before he was on television, and the first show to contact his parents was ABC’s “Good Morning America.” They all wanted to interview him and see his tiny home, and that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Meeting My Idol

Luke’s dream, determination, and hard work seemed to be paying off with fame and international recognition. However, the best part has to be when he was contacted by Derek Diedricksen, who is a visual artist and author of “Micro Living and Microshelters.”

Luke was more than honored to meet Diedricksen, as he was the main inspiration behind his work. He had inspired Luke to build the house, and he also motivated him to aim higher, which meant a lot to him.

Runs in the Family

Luke definitely surprised everyone around him, but he was not the only one in the family who had an interest and passion for mini houses and building. His brother, Cole, also built a teardrop camper using tons of recycled materials.

This also came as an advantage for Luke, as he could seek Cole’s advice in the course of building his own tiny home. He might have been the luckiest to have someone with as much expertise and experience as his brother did.

That’s Not All

Luke’s story could have gone viral even if he hadn’t shared it on social media, but sharing it grew his following to 79,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel as of March 2023. And he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

After completing his project, Luke had to keep his account active, and he posted his brother’s and mother’s projects, such as renovating a 1972 camper. It has proved helpful, especially for young people looking for motivation to do something creative with their time.

Personal Space

Having personal space is one of the most refreshing things. This is because it not only helps one feel safe and comfortable but also revitalizes the body and mind, especially for introverts, and this is one of the things that motivated Luke to build the mini home.

Luke has a twin brother, and therefore very little personal space. However, with the beautiful abode readily available, he can spend some time alone and do the things he likes there with little disturbance.

Investment Pays Off

After finishing construction, Luke had to look back at his budget, and he had done commendably well to limit himself to using the least amount he could. This is thanks to the minimalistic approach he took by reusing and recycling many of the materials.

To him, it was never about the money, and even though he spent less than what was in his budget, the investment is worth it. He has the fame and a beautiful personal space to show for his determination.

An Inspiration

We are all talented in different ways. There are always ways we can better ourselves, but one of the most effective is by sharing our knowledge with others. Luke created his YouTube channel in a bid to inspire, and he did just that.

Through Luke’s building, many young people were inspired and assured that they could create their own mini homes if they kept their focus on the goal. And who wouldn’t want to motivate others when it comes with some fame?

Greater Things Ahead

After completing his house, most people thought Luke would disappear from the limelight as the years passed. However, he claims that the mini-home was just the beginning of greater things to come.

He has laid out plans to expand his home in the future. After all, he is not going to remain young forever, and he will probably need more space as he grows older. While it will require more money and hands, he is confident he will do it.

Why Not?

Most people strive to prove themselves to others when they should instead be proving to themselves that they can do something. When Luke started, he had critics, but after doing it for the first time, he is determined to do it again.

In an interview with ABC News, he stated plans to expand the house, and everyone believed him after hearing his story. As he said, when “you’ve built a tiny home, you’re probably better equipped to build a large one too.”

Entrepreneurial Mind

Marketing is essential in every field, whether it be business or entrepreneurship. Luke made the most of his fame by making his own branded t-shirts, which he sells to his fans. He seems to have an entrepreneurial instinct in him.

Building a larger home is definitely going to cost a lot more than the first, and Luke knows that. This is why he saves the money from the T-shirt sales to finance his future projects, and it’s working so far.

Bonding Time

Parenting is a complex part of life, but parents always need to ensure that they bond with their children to enable them to grow happier, more independent, and more resilient. For Luke and his father, the time he was building was special for their relationship.

Although his father had let him do the project independently, he was always willing to offer any assistance needed. He was also busy with his job, but that didn’t prevent him from having bonding time with Luke.

The Perfect Career Path

Many people never really know what they want to do or be when they grow up. However, what started as a free-time summer adventure for Luke quickly advanced into a hobby and eventually a career in something that he actually loves.

According to him, no one really needs the extra space at home. He is on his way to becoming an advocate for tiny homes and a minimalist lifestyle, and he encourages people to save that money for other activities.

Just Like You

When Luke was contacted by TinyFest, he was assigned to an organizer named Renee McLaughlin, who also lives in a tiny home. Like Luke, she has an 87-square-foot home, and the story of Luke’s success in building a tiny home definitely caught her eye.

Renee’s story is also a special one, as she had to sell her 3,300-square-foot home as the ultimate sacrifice so she could stop taking up too much space that could be used for other meaningful purposes.

The Latest Sensation

The idea of tiny homes has grown significantly over the years. Any home under 600 square feet in the United States fits the profile of a tiny home, but the average size is 225 square feet, according to Porch.com.

Luke and Renee have the same thoughts about the concept, which explains why she invited him to be a guest speaker at the TinyFest festival. She can even hardly imagine herself living in a home bigger than the one she lives in.

A Small But Simple Life

It is hard to impress everyone with even the best ideas, as some people will always be critical of everything we do. Just like Luke, Renee faces a lot of criticism for her views about living in tiny houses. And it even became worse when she finally moved into one.

Renee is as strong as Luke,and she doesn’t seem to mind what everyone else thinks. This is because she lives a debt-free life, and she uses the money she saves on mortgage for other things.

Sacrificing the Excess

It’s one thing to talk about living a simple life and another to live it fully. Renee not only lives a minimalistic lifestyle but also encourages others to adopt it. They can do this by eliminating excess items in their lives, starting with excess space.

According to her, she was impressed by Luke as his project embodied what she believed in. She gives away extra clothes, recycles, and shops less, and as she says, it doesn’t make her any less of a girl.

Worth the Risk

The Tiny Home Movement has established itself over the years by inviting people willing to change their architectural sense. However, it goes deeper than that and into the possibility of living a simpler life with less space baggage and more savings.

For anyone looking to downsize, the movement is worth considering. Whether downsizing means buying a prebuilt tiny home or taking the time, like Luke, to build one, it has a role in environmental conservation that is hard to overlook.

Trust the Process

It is in human nature to find new ideas and theories interesting, especially if they counter things that have always seemed to be the norm. That is the case with teh idea of living in smaller houses, even though not everyone immediately warms up to the changes.

We can’t deny that not everyone has been convinced that scaling down on their living space is the way to go. However, Luke and Renee both believe they will reconsider and overcome the fear of the inconvenience of change.

Mortgage-Free Home!

The average cost of a tiny home in the United States is between $30k and $60k, depending on the amenities one chooses to include. They can go for as little as $8k, meaning most people who own them don’t pay a mortgage!

A mortgage is one of the most expensive items in most people’s budgets, and without it, it’s easy to save money. Even better, building one is much cheaper than purchasing a premade one and provides room to learn, as Luke did.

Our Part In It

We never thought we would say this, but there is a lot that we can learn from 13-year-old Luke Thill. The list is endless, but for a start, we can embrace his determination to save money, recycle, and live a simple life as he did.

By giving up the extra space and choosing to be creative, we can effectively reduce our carbon footprint and do our part in creating a better world for ourselves and future generations. It goes a lot farther than we know.