Why we started HALEA

HALEA began during one of the strangest, most uncertain times in recent memory.

When Covid hit, offices closed and gyms shut down. Like so many others, we were stuck at home-trying to work, raise a young family, and stay active-all in the same space.

We needed somewhere quiet and separate from the house. A place to focus on work without distractions and to exercise without waiting for gyms to reopen. A backyard building felt like the perfect answer.

The Frustrating Search

Finding one turned out to be harder than expected. The permit process was confusing. The companies we contacted either tried to sell us everything (gazebos, sheds, cabins, workshops-you name it) or simply didn’t respond.

We knew we wanted something strong and long-lasting-a building on a proper concrete pad. Concrete is the gold standard. It lasts decades, stays level, keeps pests out, and stands up to harsh winters. But when we started calling concrete companies, no one wanted the job. The pad was “too small” for them to bother with. Weeks went by without progress.

Doing It Ourselves

Finally, we decided to build it ourselves.

We dug the space, added sand and gravel, compacted it, laid insulation, and poured five inches of concrete. We added a mini cinderblock border to keep rain from ever touching the wood frame-a small detail that makes a big difference over time.

Then came the framing, roofing, siding, electrical wiring, and a mini-split heat pump for year-round comfort. By the end, we had exactly what we’d wanted from the beginning-a solid, beautiful backyard space built to last.

The Result

That building was a game changer for our family. It gave us space to work, think, and move-without leaving home. It was one of the best investments we’ve ever made for our quality of life.

When friends and family saw it, they all said the same thing:

“I need one of these.”

And the ideas for how they’d use it were endless-home gym, office, yoga studio, art room, workshop, hobby space. The structure is standard. The purpose is personal.

Why HALEA Exists

Through our own experience, we realized it shouldn’t be this hard. People should be able to get a high-quality backyard building without the headaches-one company that handles the whole process from start to finish.

That’s why we started HALEA.

To give people beautiful, lasting backyard spaces and to make the process simple.