In the summer of 2020, Alex Dodman from Essex, UK, embarked on an
ambitious project: building a swimming pool in his garden. He and his
partner, Sarah, had recently moved into a new home, which needed a lot
of attention and a keen hand to make improvements. To cut costs, Alex
sourced most of the materials through Facebook, saving himself thousands
compared to hiring professional contractors.
Alex took full control of the entire process. From hauling the
materials to renting a digger and excavating the ground, he handled it
all. He even completed the tiling and plumbing himself, managing to keep
the overall cost to around $10,000—significantly lower than if he had
hired professionals for the job. His hard work and determination
ultimately resulted in a beautiful, private oasis for his family to
enjoy.
After this success, Alex’s passion for DIY grew. His latest challenge
is even more ambitious: he is now rebuilding the family home. Having
moved in with Sarah, a human resources manager, and their two children,
Allie and Eddie, Alex has proven time and again that he’s more than
capable. In fact, he previously saved £75,000 by building his own home
theater and gym, further cementing his reputation as a dedicated
do-it-yourselfer.
Now, he’s working on something even more significant—creating the
perfect home for his family. Alex had long dreamed of having a swimming
pool, and when he saw an underutilized part of his garden, he decided to
tackle the project himself. He researched extensively to understand the
entire process, ensuring that every aspect of the build was done
correctly.
Driven by a YouTube video of a woman constructing her own pool in
Holland, Alex felt confident in his abilities. During his lunch break,
he watched a tutorial that pushed him to take immediate action. By the
end of the day, he had already made plans to rent a mini digger.
However, as soon as he started the work, he realized that building a
pool was much more challenging than he initially anticipated.
The project required not only time and effort but also a great deal
of problem-solving to overcome unexpected hurdles. Despite the
complexities, Alex remained determined. His persistence paid off, and
today, his family enjoys a stunning backyard retreat.
Even with delays caused by the pandemic, Alex remained undeterred. He
collected all the materials himself, leveled the ground, and carried
out the construction with his own two hands. Through sheer hard work and
determination, Alex achieved his goal, proudly stating that he “did
every last part of it all by himself.” His unwavering commitment is a
testament to what can be accomplished with perseverance and a
willingness to learn.
