Building a home can often be a challenging endeavor, but for one family in Washington, the journey to construct a mortgage-free house has stretched over a grueling 16 months. After selling their home in April 2024, the Lentz family moved into a small trailer on their in-laws’ property while they awaited the completion of a manufactured house. Despite their initial optimism, numerous setbacks have turned their experience into a long and arduous process.
In April 2024, Shawn Lentz and his family sold their 4,000-square-foot home in Concrete, Washington, with plans to build a modest detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) on his in-laws’ 5-acre property in Arlington. The goal was to live mortgage-free while also being closer to family. They settled into a 23-foot trailer, expecting to stay there temporarily until their new home was completed.
The reality of living in the trailer quickly became less ideal than anticipated. The family, which includes Lentz, his wife, their teenage son, three English bulldogs, and a territorial iguana named Rawr, faced significant challenges. The trailer offered limited space, and the tight quarters made daily life increasingly difficult. Cooking became a balancing act, as they juggled preparing meals in the confined kitchen while trying to keep their pets settled.
The construction of their new home initially seemed straightforward, as they purchased a manufactured home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms that complied with local regulations. However, as Lentz discovered, the process of building involved navigating a complex web of permits and inspections. They needed to conduct a wetland survey, test the nearby well for contamination, and design a septic system.
As the months passed, delays became frequent. Issues such as waiting for inspections and dealing with challenges from their septic designer slowed progress significantly. The most significant setback arose when a new wetland was discovered on the property, requiring changes to their plans and pushing back their timeline by an additional five months.
Despite these hurdles, the family remained hopeful. As of late June, their manufactured home was finally delivered, and the two halves have been joined and stabilized with concrete blocks. Work on the septic, electrical systems, and interior is currently underway, with plans to connect water to the existing well.
The total investment has reached approximately $275,000, and although there is still much work to be done before the home is fully ready for move-in, the Lentz family can now visualize the completion of their long-awaited project.
Reflecting on the intense experience, Lentz noted, “We’ve screamed at the Gods. We’ve shouted at each other. We’ve nearly become the Torrance family in ‘The Shining.'” If they had anticipated the challenges ahead, they would have allowed for a more realistic timeline and prepared for unexpected costs.
Even with the frustrations, the Lentz family remains committed to their dream of a simpler life. They look forward to the moment they can finally leave the trailer behind and settle into their new home, hoping this challenging journey will ultimately prove worthwhile.
