BREAKING: A Texas family has successfully built a tiny home for Yeli Heidecker’s mother, achieving significant savings of $30,000 compared to contractor estimates. The innovative DIY project, completed in November 2025, offers a heartwarming solution to a pressing family need as her mother transitions from an RV to a more permanent living space.
Yeli Heidecker, 32, and her husband took on this ambitious project after learning that professional contractors quoted them between $63,000 and $97,000 for a small barndominium. The couple decided to roll up their sleeves and tackle the construction themselves, allowing them to complete the home for approximately $33,000.
“This was about providing my mom with a stable place to live,” Heidecker told sources. Her mother had been living in an RV on their property since 2024 amid health concerns. “We wanted her to have her independence while being close to family,” she added.
The project began in September 2025 when Heidecker’s mother traveled to Mexico. During her six-week absence, the couple worked tirelessly to design and build the home. They hired professionals for the exterior shell and flooring but handled much of the interior work themselves.
“We were literally looking everything up and watching videos,” Heidecker said, highlighting their commitment to learning as they went. Despite their lack of professional experience, they successfully crafted a cozy living space featuring an open-concept design that includes a living area, kitchen, and bedroom.
The tiny home mirrors the couple’s own barndominium, boasting matching aesthetics with a black roof and white walls. The layout was tailored specifically for Heidecker’s mother’s needs, ensuring ample natural light and comfort.
Construction took about eight weeks, slightly longer than planned due to delays with the shell building. Although the bathroom was incomplete upon her mother’s move-in, Heidecker expressed pride in the project’s outcome and the emotional impact it has had on their family.
“Having a permanent space for my mom makes her feel more at home,” she remarked. The children enjoy visiting their grandmother, often walking across the yard to have sleepovers, a testament to the home’s success in fostering family bonds.
Yeli Heidecker encourages others considering similar DIY projects to embrace the journey, saying, “It’s so fun, especially when you’re doing it yourself.” She also noted that while they could have adjusted the design slightly, the tiny home has been a fulfilling addition to their lives.
As the family looks to the future, they plan to finish the bathroom early in 2026, ensuring their mother has everything she needs in her new home. The Heidecker family’s story not only highlights their resourcefulness but also underscores the importance of family support and creative solutions in today’s world.
Stay tuned for more updates on innovative home solutions and inspiring family stories.
