My Journey from Owner Builder to Experienced in Building

In 2020, I embarked on an incredible journey—building my own home as an owner-builder. What I didn't anticipate was how much this experience would shape not only my personal life but also my professional path. Juggling full-time work at a construction company while dedicating every spare moment to this project, it took me two years to complete my first home. The stress of the final stages was so intense that it pushed me to make a life-altering decision: I resigned from my full-time job and ventured out on my own.

Since then, I've been building my own building design firm, focusing primarily on serving owner-builders. Having gone through the process myself, I now fully understand both the rewards and the challenges that come with it. Despite the availability of an owner-builder course and support from building certifiers, surveyors, and industry professionals, navigating the design and approval process for a home is far from simple. This realization is what inspired me to write this book.

Building my own home—the first I've ever owned—was a transformative experience. As a building designer, I admit that I may have over-designed it, only to face the challenge of figuring out how to bring it to life. Today, I look back and laugh, but the journey taught me countless lessons and added a wealth of knowledge to my 12 years of experience in building design and construction.

Now, more than ever, I'm passionate about what I do. I'm driven to help others transform their lives by designing spaces that are not only comfortable and enduring but also sustainable. This blog is just the beginning of sharing my journey, insights, and expertise with those who are ready to embark on their own building adventures.