In this inspiring full tour, James and Doreen take you inside their handcrafted, $39,000 off-grid passive solar home—built in just 9 months with 90% of the labor done themselves. This isn't just another DIY project—it's a fully custom, high-efficiency tiny home designed with natural materials, passive solar heating, and reclaimed finishes, all nestled on 35 acres in rural Colorado.
🏡 Whether you're dreaming of building your own tiny home, interested in off-grid living, or looking for ways to drastically cut housing costs—this tour is for you.
🔨 Why They Built It Themselves: - Tired of high rent and city life after years in a converted bus - Wanted to stay close to family and put down permanent roots - Needed an affordable solution to create a forever home - Believed in using reclaimed, repurposed, and sustainable materials
💰 What It Cost: - Total Build Cost: ~$39,000 - Concrete Color Mistake: $3,000 (learn from it!) - Well Installation: $17,000 - 35 Acres of Land in Colorado: $100,000 - Ongoing Monthly Expenses: ~$85 gas + $1,500 annual property tax
🧱 Key Design Features: - Passive Solar Layout – Oriented for optimal sun exposure and thermal mass - Concrete Floors with Custom Linseed Finish – Holds solar heat for night warmth - Round Log Spruce Beams & Ponderosa Ceilings – All milled onsite - Shou Sugi Ban Charred Wood Siding & Copper Windowsills – Durable & low maintenance - Reclaimed Slate Shower & Tadillac Vanity – Handmade Moroccan-inspired bathroom - Homemade Masonry Heater Pizza Oven – 12,000 lbs of sand holds radiant heat for days - Custom Triangular Kitchen Layout – Max cooking efficiency with repurposed cabinets - Commercial Sink with Concrete Drain Slopes – Smart water-conscious design
🌞 Off-Grid Lifestyle: - No monthly electricity bill – powered by solar & heated with passive solar mass - Minimal maintenance – stucco, copper, and tin roof are built to last 50+ years - Rainwater catchment system (with cistern + filtration) - Zoned for domestic well use with animals and gardening rights
👩❤️👨 Built by a Husband & Wife Team: - After 46 years of marriage, they’ve mastered the art of teamwork - They share how learning to trust each other’s strengths made the build possible - Their message: you can do this too—but it will take grit, planning, and patience
🎯 Who This Video Is For: - Aspiring DIY homebuilders - Off-grid and homesteading enthusiasts - Retirees or downsizers seeking debt-free living - Fans of reclaimed, natural material construction - People curious about passive solar design - Anyone who wants to live affordably and intentionally
✅ DIY Building Advice (From Experience): - Plan your material purchases early—don’t buy in a panic! - Shop from local auctions, salvage yards, and neighbors - Live in the area before building to learn zoning, code, and climate - Don’t underestimate the labor—DIY is slow but rewarding - Customize for your lifestyle—like open closets, multipurpose rooms, and cozy nooks
💬 “It’s kind of like running a marathon... You’ll question it at times, but one little step at a time, the house gets built.” – James
If you're dreaming of a handcrafted, affordable, and resilient home, this tour proves it's possible with determination, smart design, and teamwork. Let this build inspire your next step toward a more intentional life.
