A man has shared the results of dedicating a year to building a home from scratch – for less than £3,000.
Bjorn Brenton purchased a plot of land in the forest and has gone on to create his own makeshift abode, built entirely from scratch.
The 23-year-old YouTuber has documented the process with his 280,000 followers, spending the past year on the project.
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“I work on the cabin every single day without taking breaks, because it has become more than just a project for me – it’s a lifestyle,” Bjorn, originally from Sweden but currently living in Ukraine, told Luxury Property News.
“It was incredibly hard work, but it also taught me patience, problem-solving, and perseverance.”
One of the things that attracted him to undertaking the project was the challenge of completing the works on a “micro-budget” – meaning he needed to get creative at times, such as using moss for insulation.
Bjorn estimates that to date he has spent just £2,222 – £2,962 ($3,000 to $4,000) on the build, covering items he couldn’t find in nature, including nails, fuel for equipment, and basic supplies.
Otherwise, the materials have been entirely sourced from the land.
He added, “I was fortunate that my land had plenty of trees that I could use for the construction, which saved a huge amount in material costs.
“The biggest expense so far has been for the roof — covering the house and insulating it properly required the most investment.”
For Bjorn, it was important to rely on natural materials and the environment as much as possible.
He said, “I used moss for insulation between the logs, which meant I didn’t need to purchase modern insulation for that part.
“I think the relatively low budget shows that with resourcefulness and daily effort, it’s possible to build something significant without needing a massive financial investment.”
But the project hasn’t been without issue, as the process has been incredibly time-consuming – particularly during the construction of the walls for the home.
Bjorn said: “It was a slow and exhausting process.
“Each log had to be lifted, marked, taken down again, carved, and then lifted back into place.
“Sometimes, even after all that work, the log wouldn’t fit perfectly into the notches, so I had to repeat the process again and again.
“Placing a single log could take me an entire day.
“It was physically demanding and mentally challenging.”
Bjorn plans to move in once the basic interior is finished, which he hopes will be before winter kicks in.
Luckily, he has already built a sauna on the land to keep him warm.
He said of his future plans: “I would like to expand by creating a small farm where I and my future family could live, work, and grow together.
“My goal is to build greenhouses, as well as enclosures for sheep and cattle, to help us become more independent and connected to the land.
“For now, most of my energy is dedicated to finishing the cabin itself, since I am building it completely on my own, and it takes a lot of time and effort.
“But step by step, I hope to turn this site into not just a home, but a sustainable place for living, working, and raising a family in harmony with nature.
“My dog Joy is always by my side, and she has also become a part of the story for many viewers.
“This is not just about building a house, but about creating a home and a way of life closer to nature.”
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