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<div><br />
</div>
<div class="youtube-replace"><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/TFQo3ebfkTo?si=S6jDP9ur2L4Ow5u6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/TFQo3ebfkTo?si=S6jDP9ur2L4Ow5u6" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://youtube.com/shorts/TFQo3ebfkTo?si=S6jDP9ur2L4Ow5u6</a></a>
</div>
<div>From sleeping in a car to rebuilding hope.
</div>
<div>A garage apartment transformation story
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>My name is Aaron and I need help.
</div>
<div>What started as one of the hardest chapters of our lives—finding ourselves sleeping in our car, a Honda Accord (small, with 3 dogs, 2 Shepherds, and a bull terrier), just trying to make it through the freezing nights, scraping day to day, and trying to rebuild from nothing—has turned into a moment of strength, vision, and change. <strong>This garage apartment isn't just a construction project. It's a reset. It's a path back to stability, privacy, dignity, and future momentum.</strong>
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every part of this layout, every material choice, every dollar accounted for is part of building a fresh start—practical, efficient, affordable, and aligned with the life you're working towards.
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>Project overview
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<div>Space: 12 ft x 26 ft garage
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<div>Goal: Convert into a full micro-apartment for 1-2 people featuring:
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<div>Studio-style bedroom/living area
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<div>Kitchenette
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<div>Bathroom with shower
</div>
<div>Utility + storage efficiency
</div>
<div>Modern, durable finishes
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Budget breakdown (estimated)
</div>
<div>1. Framing &amp; Structural
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<div>Item estimated cost
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<div>Wall framing, blocking anchors: $650
</div>
<div>Subfloor leveling &amp; repairs: $300
</div>
<div>Doors &amp; interior framing: $400
</div>
<div>Subtotal: $1,350
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>2. Electrical
</div>
<div>Item estimated cost
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<div>Wiring (lights, outlets, GFCI): $900
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<div>Breaker upgrades: $250
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<div>Fixtures (LED + bathroom fan/lights): $300
</div>
<div>Subtotal: $1,450
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>3. Plumbing
</div>
<div>Item estimated cost
</div>
<div>Water supply lines: $450
</div>
<div>Drain/waste/vent: $600
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<div>Shower installation: $850
</div>
<div>Sink + kitchenette plumbing: $350
</div>
<div>Toilet install: $250
</div>
<div>Subtotal: $2,500
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>4. HVAC/comfort
</div>
<div>Item estimated cost
</div>
<div>Mini-split system: $1,500-$2,000
</div>
<div>Insulation (walls/ceiling): $600
</div>
<div>Subtotal: $2,100-$2,600
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>5. Interior finishes
</div>
<div>Item estimated cost
</div>
<div>Drywall + finishing: $1,200
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<div>Flooring (vinyl plank): $700
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<div>Paint: $250
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<div>Trim and doors: $400
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<div>Subtotal: $2,550
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>6. Kitchenette
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<div>Item estimated cost
</div>
<div>Base cabinet + countertop: $350
</div>
<div>Upper cabinets or shelving: $150
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<div>Sink + faucet: $150
</div>
<div>Mini fridge or under-counter fridge: $300
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<div>2 burner cooktop/microwave combo: $200
</div>
<div>Subtotal: $1,150
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>7. Bathroom
</div>
<div>Item estimated cost
</div>
<div>Shower unit: $650
</div>
<div>Vanity: $200
</div>
<div>Toilet: $150
</div>
<div>Accessories + hardware: $75
</div>
<div>Subtotal: $1,075
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>8. Furniture + setup
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<div>Bed: $250
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<div>Small table + 2 chairs: $250
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<div>Storage shelves: $100
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<div>Lighting (lamps/ambient): $60
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<div>Subtotal: $530
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>Total estimated budget: $12,700-$13,200
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>Before photos
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<div>Photo 1.
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<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_176517365498085_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Description: Damaged walls, exposed framing, debris across the room
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<div>Photo 2.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_1765173690454398_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Description: Cracked drywall, water damage, ruined flooring
</div>
<div>Photo 3.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_1765173724149253_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Description: Kitchen area with broken cabinets, debris, and unusable appliances
</div>
<div>Photo 4.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_1765173754495471_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Description: Bathroom with severe rot, missing fixtures, and structural issues
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<div>Photo 5.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_1765173791271617_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_1765173841625390_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Description: Living area with partial paneling, holes in walls, and mold damage
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<div>Photo 6.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_1765173887622700_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Description: Floor damage and heavy debris needing full removal
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<div>Photo 7.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/97518013_176517391747135_r." width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Description: Additional structural wall and ceiling damage
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Why we're asking for help
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>This is more than just an apartment; this is stability, healing, and independence.</strong> Giving up has never been an option.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Any contributions won't only be helping us build a safe place to call home, but once we're able to get back on our feet, this will be a home for the next person struggling and needing a second chance. This is what hope is all about. Being able to help the next person without asking for anything in return except a grateful thank you! Helping transform brokenness to enjoying life as it should be enjoyed.
</div>
<div>Contributing is a reward in itself, but knowing that what we're doing is genuinely the right thing to do.
</div>
<div>Even a helping hand goes a long way.
</div>
<div>And a kind word means more than money can buy.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Help us build a safe place for a fresh start.
</div>
<div>-Aaron
</div>

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