Mother Of Four Builds House All By Herself Using Just Youtube Tutorials, But There’s More To It Than That
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Meet Cara Brookins – an Arkansas-based mother of four who did something so extraordinary, it left thousands of people in awe. After abusive relationships, two marriages filled with violence, and being stalked by a man with a mental illness, “my kids and I needed something,” Cara said. “I felt ashamed and I was worried that they had no self-esteem and no confidence.” So, the woman set out for a fresh start for both her and her family. Unfortunately, Cara couldn’t afford a new house but that didn’t stop her. Instead, she decided to build one – on her own with zero experience and zero knowledge.
It all started in 2007 when Cara spotted a tornado hit house with only the foundation left… “It made me think, ‘what if we bought some 2’x4’s and sheetrock and put that together? What would our dream house be? Would we want to build it?,’” Cara said. Her kids (then 2, 11, 15 and 17) were absolutely up for it, as after all the domestic violence, this was a way for them to improve their lives.
So, using a bank loan of $150,000 for materials, lots of Youtube tutorials, and team work – the family did it! They learned how to frame a house, pour a foundation, and before they knew it they had built a 3500 square foot house with five bedrooms, a three-car garage, a huge shop, and a two-story treehouse – and the family was stronger as ever! Cara and her family have been living in the ‘Inkwell Manor’ for the past eight years and she can bravely say her kids are “now fearless”. “They dive into anything. There’s nothing you could suggest to them that they could not do. it’s an incredible thing.”
You can read more about Cara and her family in her new book called ‘Rise’, which will be available to purchase through Amazon on January 24th.
More info: carabrookins.com | Amazon (h/t)
Meet Cara Brookins and her kids Jada, Roman, Drew and Hope
Image credits: Ashley Murphy
Cara has been in abusive relationships, two marriages filled with violence, and was stalked by a man with a mental illness – it affected the whole family
Image credits: Cara Brookins
“My kids and i needed something,” Cara said
Image credits: Cara Brookins
“I felt ashamed and I was worried that they had no self-esteem and no confidence…They had been powerless”
Image credits: Cara Brookins
So the whole family (kids aged 17, 15, 11, and 2 at the time) set out for a fresh start by building their own house, as they couldn’t afford buying one
Image credits: Cara Brookins
The only problem was they had zero knowledge and zero experience – but that didn’t stop them
Image credits: Cara Brookins
Using a bank loan of $150,000 for materials, lots of Youtube tutorials, and team work – the family did it
Image credits: Cara Brookins
While they learned how to frame a house
Image credits: Cara Brookins
How to pour concrete
Image credits: Cara Brookins
How to lay bricks
Image credits: Cara Brookins
And how to work together
Image credits: Cara Brookins
They also learned how to rebuild a broken family
Image credits: Cara Brookins
And before they knew it…
Image credits: Cara Brookins
They had built a 3500 square foot house with five bedrooms, a three-car garage, a huge shop, and a two-story treehouse
Image credits: Cara Brookins
And the family was stronger as ever
Image credits: Cara Brookins
Cara and her family have been living in the ‘Inkwell Manor’ for the past eight years
Image credits: Cara Brookins
And she can bravely say her kids are “now fearless”
Image credits: Cara Brookins
“They dive into anything. There’s nothing you could suggest to them that they could not do. it’s an incredible thing”
Image credits: Cara Brookins
You can read more about Cara and her family in her new book called ‘Rise’, which will be available to purchase through Amazon on January 24th
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wow.. this is amazing.. i was still proud with myself fixing up a ikea shelf =x
and so are we ;)
@Samantha P Are you serious?
Lol :)
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Fixing up a IKEA shelf??? After hearing this really?? A family build a big house and u are still proud of fixing a shelf?? Selfish..
I Think it was a joke :D
So am I the only one who thinks this is kinda bs? You have to have licensed contractors to build certain things, licenses electricians, etc. They don't give building permits to anyone to just build anything they want.
Not BS, although I'd be surprised if they did do EVERYTHING themselves. While laws/building codes do vary from state to state, it's not so much that licensed people are required as it is that everything meets code and works. People in building trade businesses require licenses because of laws that govern building trade businesses, not because of building codes. A lot of D.I.Y. stuff could not be done if licensed tradespeople were required to do them. Lots of people act as contractors and build their own house, but sub-contract out the stuff they have no experience doing. Permits are given based on submitting building plans; meeting codes at that stage; making corrections, if needed; and resubmitting plans to meet permit requirements. During construction, as long as everything meets code and passes inspection, you're fine. Who and how got you there doesn't matter. Know this from personal experience.
I think they were talking about buying land to build a house on, not uniquely licensed people. I dunno how it works in America, but I know in both Croatia and Korea, you need to own your own piece of land in sqare meters first, and get permission to build something on it by the government (no need involving licensed people, that's entirely up to you, but the documents need to be made). I wouldn't immediately call bs on this one, but I though so as well, that this particular info was missing.
Don't know what the codes are in Arkansas but where I live you can do all the work yourself as long as it's inspected and signed off on by a licensed tradesman.
Thank you, man.That's exactly what I thought about this story , Inspirational as it seems, there are still certain laws about construction and certain permitions to be acquired. Not just 'having zero experience and using Youtube tutorials' I've built a house. Not in America.
This a reply to you and Daria B. Not to be insulting, but there appears to be a reading comprehension issue here, or maybe it's a translation issue depending on where you guys live. At no place in their story is it stated that they built their house without permits or ownership of the property. What this family did is very do-able here in the U.S., where they (and I) live. The U.S. has a national building code that all states adhere to along with regional differences to account for climatic and other differences. One example; foundations for houses in the southwest U.S. don't have to be as deep as those in the farthest northeast and northwest due to the differing depths of the frostline. California and Florida have unique additions/exceptions to the codes for their states. Nothing in the code requires people to use licensed building trades people to build their house, nor to even own the land they build on. However, that does not mean that someone can build anything they want, a
(continuing the first part of my reply However, people do need building permits before starting to build; (during the building process) inspections to insure adherence to basic rough construction, electrical, plumbing, and sanitation codes; pass those inspections, and a final occupancy inspection, before being allowed to move in. I know these things because my extended family built their house on property I owned while it was being built. They could do that because I gave my permission for them to build it there and they mortgage company was satisfied with that arrangement.
Not BS, you can google her name to get more detailed articles. You guys are such haters.
No you are not the only one who finds excuses not to do things. I am with you bro. This is total BS. Going to watch something real - new Netflix series.. Cya.
Actually they do if you are an owner builder. She would have hired an electrician to do the "hot" wiring and a licensed plumber to do the heavy stuff or just overseen what she did but so long as everything is built to code when they come out to inspect you are good to go. I have built two houses from the ground up as a woman, the second one without help other than the plumber and electrician. I actually had to redo the plumber's work because he was an alcoholic and drunk the whole time.
Mostly, you need to be licensed if you are doing something for a pay, If you are doing something for yourself, go ahead on your own risk. It's like if I want to sell my cookies, I have to do a lot of paperwork and get a lot of permits. If I invite people to my home and offer them my cookies, I'm fine without any licence, permit etc. Building permits are actually a kind of tax local authorities collect. You pay, and build, that's it.
Me and you. Total bs. When you don't know how to build a house and then you build a freakin' hotel not a normal small house.. And all the rest, it's just total bs.
I do believe it's b******t too. And in my opinion it's also kind of a dangerous message to be sent out. Building a house with no skills, using just the Youtube University, could lead to dangerous and unstable buildings.
Agree. What about wiring the house for electricity and all the plumbing work. It's a neat sounding story that leaves out alot.
Those are things that anyone can do -- they won't be nearly as fast or efficient as a professional, but can learn how to do from YouTube if they learn that way. All that needs to happen is that the wiring, plumbing, etc. is inspected afterward and meets code. Hiring an electrician or plumber is really only necessary if you want efficiency or are uncomfortable doing the work.
That first photo of the family in front ofthe house is clearly photoshopped
Nope, as I explained in another post. PhotoShop is not necessary to make a photo look that way. Source: twenty years of photography and PhotoShop experience in graphic design.
Not necessarily. They are just lit separately so that both the house and them can be exposed evenly.
Who cares?
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LOTS of people around the world build their own homes. No one is fascinated by that. But if it's an 'Murrican lady, then it's a SENSATION! Not to mention, in the US you are not allowed to let your kids pour concrete and set up the plumbing, to say the least. There are so many wrong things about this story. So she was in two abusive marriages, made the decision to have 4 kids with abusive men, and suddenly had the epiphany that her kids lack self-esteem. Now, in true American movie style, she comes up with a project, that will fix EVERYTHING! Yay!
I wonder how long it took and how they manage to do during this time (having to work and build something from scratch must be pretty difficult)
wow.. this is amazing.. i was still proud with myself fixing up a ikea shelf =x
and so are we ;)
@Samantha P Are you serious?
Lol :)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Fixing up a IKEA shelf??? After hearing this really?? A family build a big house and u are still proud of fixing a shelf?? Selfish..
I Think it was a joke :D
So am I the only one who thinks this is kinda bs? You have to have licensed contractors to build certain things, licenses electricians, etc. They don't give building permits to anyone to just build anything they want.
Not BS, although I'd be surprised if they did do EVERYTHING themselves. While laws/building codes do vary from state to state, it's not so much that licensed people are required as it is that everything meets code and works. People in building trade businesses require licenses because of laws that govern building trade businesses, not because of building codes. A lot of D.I.Y. stuff could not be done if licensed tradespeople were required to do them. Lots of people act as contractors and build their own house, but sub-contract out the stuff they have no experience doing. Permits are given based on submitting building plans; meeting codes at that stage; making corrections, if needed; and resubmitting plans to meet permit requirements. During construction, as long as everything meets code and passes inspection, you're fine. Who and how got you there doesn't matter. Know this from personal experience.
I think they were talking about buying land to build a house on, not uniquely licensed people. I dunno how it works in America, but I know in both Croatia and Korea, you need to own your own piece of land in sqare meters first, and get permission to build something on it by the government (no need involving licensed people, that's entirely up to you, but the documents need to be made). I wouldn't immediately call bs on this one, but I though so as well, that this particular info was missing.
Don't know what the codes are in Arkansas but where I live you can do all the work yourself as long as it's inspected and signed off on by a licensed tradesman.
Thank you, man.That's exactly what I thought about this story , Inspirational as it seems, there are still certain laws about construction and certain permitions to be acquired. Not just 'having zero experience and using Youtube tutorials' I've built a house. Not in America.
This a reply to you and Daria B. Not to be insulting, but there appears to be a reading comprehension issue here, or maybe it's a translation issue depending on where you guys live. At no place in their story is it stated that they built their house without permits or ownership of the property. What this family did is very do-able here in the U.S., where they (and I) live. The U.S. has a national building code that all states adhere to along with regional differences to account for climatic and other differences. One example; foundations for houses in the southwest U.S. don't have to be as deep as those in the farthest northeast and northwest due to the differing depths of the frostline. California and Florida have unique additions/exceptions to the codes for their states. Nothing in the code requires people to use licensed building trades people to build their house, nor to even own the land they build on. However, that does not mean that someone can build anything they want, a
(continuing the first part of my reply However, people do need building permits before starting to build; (during the building process) inspections to insure adherence to basic rough construction, electrical, plumbing, and sanitation codes; pass those inspections, and a final occupancy inspection, before being allowed to move in. I know these things because my extended family built their house on property I owned while it was being built. They could do that because I gave my permission for them to build it there and they mortgage company was satisfied with that arrangement.
Not BS, you can google her name to get more detailed articles. You guys are such haters.
No you are not the only one who finds excuses not to do things. I am with you bro. This is total BS. Going to watch something real - new Netflix series.. Cya.
Actually they do if you are an owner builder. She would have hired an electrician to do the "hot" wiring and a licensed plumber to do the heavy stuff or just overseen what she did but so long as everything is built to code when they come out to inspect you are good to go. I have built two houses from the ground up as a woman, the second one without help other than the plumber and electrician. I actually had to redo the plumber's work because he was an alcoholic and drunk the whole time.
Mostly, you need to be licensed if you are doing something for a pay, If you are doing something for yourself, go ahead on your own risk. It's like if I want to sell my cookies, I have to do a lot of paperwork and get a lot of permits. If I invite people to my home and offer them my cookies, I'm fine without any licence, permit etc. Building permits are actually a kind of tax local authorities collect. You pay, and build, that's it.
Me and you. Total bs. When you don't know how to build a house and then you build a freakin' hotel not a normal small house.. And all the rest, it's just total bs.
I do believe it's b******t too. And in my opinion it's also kind of a dangerous message to be sent out. Building a house with no skills, using just the Youtube University, could lead to dangerous and unstable buildings.
Agree. What about wiring the house for electricity and all the plumbing work. It's a neat sounding story that leaves out alot.
Those are things that anyone can do -- they won't be nearly as fast or efficient as a professional, but can learn how to do from YouTube if they learn that way. All that needs to happen is that the wiring, plumbing, etc. is inspected afterward and meets code. Hiring an electrician or plumber is really only necessary if you want efficiency or are uncomfortable doing the work.
That first photo of the family in front ofthe house is clearly photoshopped
Nope, as I explained in another post. PhotoShop is not necessary to make a photo look that way. Source: twenty years of photography and PhotoShop experience in graphic design.
Not necessarily. They are just lit separately so that both the house and them can be exposed evenly.
Who cares?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
LOTS of people around the world build their own homes. No one is fascinated by that. But if it's an 'Murrican lady, then it's a SENSATION! Not to mention, in the US you are not allowed to let your kids pour concrete and set up the plumbing, to say the least. There are so many wrong things about this story. So she was in two abusive marriages, made the decision to have 4 kids with abusive men, and suddenly had the epiphany that her kids lack self-esteem. Now, in true American movie style, she comes up with a project, that will fix EVERYTHING! Yay!
I wonder how long it took and how they manage to do during this time (having to work and build something from scratch must be pretty difficult)