In 1995, I built my first home without the help of any contractors. I didn’t do it to prove anything at all; I just wanted my family and me to have a nice place to live without the high mortgage payments. I paid cash for as much of the materials that I could. Most of the time, I used credit cards and builders cards.

I began the foundation and dug it out with a shovel. Then I built the cement forms and poured the cement. After the foundation, I started the first floor by putting on the floor joists then covering them with plywood. Then I built the walls that included the window and door openings.

I also did most of the electrical and plumbing systems while the walls were open and exposed. I built the stairs and started the second floor. Soon I built the roof and enclosed the whole house to keep rain and snow out. I put metal on the roof and installed all the doors and windows.