In the summer of 2020, Alex Dodman from Essex, UK, embarked on an ambitious project: building a swimming pool in his backyard. After recently moving into a new property with his partner, Sarah, Alex saw the potential to transform their lawn into a private oasis. He sourced most of the materials for the pool from Facebook, saving thousands of dollars compared to hiring professional contractors. From transporting materials to renting a digger and doing the excavation himself, Alex took charge of every aspect of the project.
He even tackled the tiling and plumbing on his own, bringing the total cost of the pool to around $10,000—a fraction of the price it would have cost to hire professionals. His dedication and hard work paid off, as he successfully created a private retreat for his family.
This pool project was just the beginning of Alex’s DIY journey. After moving in with his fiancée Sarah, an HR manager, and their two children, Allie and Eddie, Alex set his sights on a new, even more ambitious task: completely renovating their family home. He had already demonstrated his skill and resourcefulness by saving £75,000 on previous projects, including building his own home theater and gym. Now, he was focused on transforming their home into a dream house.
Alex had always dreamed of having a swimming pool and was determined to make it a reality. Spotting a section of his garden that needed work, he decided to take on the challenge of building the pool himself. He spent hours researching the best tools and techniques to ensure he could achieve his goal. Inspired by a YouTube video of a woman building a pool in Holland, Alex was eager to get started, even renting a digger by the end of the day.
However, he soon realized that building a pool was more complicated than he expected. Despite the challenges, including unforeseen setbacks due to Covid, Alex persisted. He dedicated countless hours, energy, and resources to the project, using problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles along the way.
In the end, Alex’s perseverance paid off, and he created a beautiful sanctuary in his garden. He proudly shared that he “did every last part of it all by myself,” proving that with patience, determination, and a willingness to learn, even the most ambitious goals are achievable.