Three generations of Birch Bay family come together to build home

A multigenerational Birch Bay family has found a way to pass down knowledge and create a new meaning of home by building a house together.

The Forbes family has always been close-knit. As a single mother of four sons aged 14-21, Nikki Forbes often called her parents to help with plumbing, electrical and hardware issues that popped up over the 20 years she lived in Blaine.

In September 2022, the Forbes started their biggest family project to date – a two-story home built from the ground up next door to the Birch Bay residence of Nikki’s parents, Karen and David Forbes.

In 2022, Nikki was approved for a home loan of about $260,000 that she hoped would allow her to move into a bigger space.

“The places I was finding were like two-bedroom shacks,” she said. “Now, I’m getting a five-bedroom, huge house for the same amount.”

Working as a family has kept the project within the budget. Although most of the team doesn’t have experience, Karen and David are happy to teach everything they know to their crew of grandsons, Payton, Landon, Connor and Daylon. Payton’s girlfriend, Zion Bowers, has also helped with the project since it began.

“I got lucky because my parents know how to do everything,” Nikki said. “If it weren’t for them, this never would have happened.”

It took one day for Karen and David to think things over before they presented Nikki with the idea to build the home.

“He needed a retirement project anyway,” Nikki said.

David, who retired two years ago as a Whatcom County Fire District 7 lieutenant, brought over a decade of construction experience from previous jobs and personal experience. 

“We put an addition on our house in Kent, and Karen was with me through the whole thing,” David said.

“And I pay attention,” she added. “I can stay one step ahead of him the whole time, and I know what he needs next, so I have it ready for him.” 

Once they got the approval to purchase the land from their long-time neighbor, it was a matter of clearing the property and laying the foundation.

“Payton and Zion were a big help on that part,” Karen said. “Every section, there’s been one kid who has stood out for helping with different things.”

Last December, during one of the first significant milestones of construction, the concrete machinery rolled in at the same time as the snow.

“Everybody got knee-high boots because of it,” David said.

Looking back on seven months of celebrations and setbacks, the foundation remains a least favorite memory for several family members.

Exterior work on the house will wrap up at the beginning of August, David said, adding that nothing has a strict timeline. 

“We just keep going, get up in the morning, make some coffee and go work across the driveway,” Karen said, adding that they’ve made an effort to prevent the project from feeling like a burden on the rest of the family. 

From learning what “flush” means in construction to installing hurricane shingles, all of the grandsons agree they did their fair share of learning on the job.

“There have been times that the kids got burned out, so they didn’t want to help for a while, but there seemed to always be another kid willing to step in anytime,” Karen said. “David and I have done the most, but anytime we’ve needed somebody, they’ve come out there. It’s been a big help.”

For now, the final move-in date is before Thanksgiving. 

Karen said after 18 years of hosting holidays and get-togethers at their home, it will be a welcome change to pass the role to Nikki.

The project’s final cost should be around $250,000 including the initial land purchase, Karen said. The upcoming stages include electrical, plumbing and David’s least favorite – sheetrock. The finish work takes the longest if you want to do a good job, he said.

“We’ve done everything perfectly so far, so we’re not going to mess up at the very end,” Nikki added.

Throughout the celebrations and challenges the project has brought, Nikki said watching her family pull together to create something entirely their own has been the most rewarding part.

“I’m impressed with my kids,” she said. “They’re doing all these things, and they’re doing really well. It’s a proud mama moment.”