Stop guessing. Build it right the first time.
Starting a homelab is exciting — and overwhelming. Which mini PC? SMR or CMR drives? Proxmox or TrueNAS? How do you not waste $300 on the wrong gear? This blueprint is the shortcut: the exact decisions, in order, that take you from zero to a working homelab running your first services.
What's inside
Part 1 — Plan
Define your goal, pick a budget tier ($150 → $900+), and right-size so you never over-buy. Includes a planning checklist.
Part 2 — Choose gear
A clear decision framework for compute, storage, network & power — plus three ready-to-buy starter builds.
Part 3 — Build it
Step-by-step Proxmox install, your first container, and ZFS/TrueNAS storage setup — with a build checklist.
Part 4 — Run it
The exact first services to self-host (Pi-hole, Jellyfin, Home Assistant…), the 3-2-1 backup rule, and security basics.
Part 5 — Maintain
A monthly maintenance checklist and the common beginner mistakes that quietly cost you money — so you avoid them.
Checklists throughout
Planning, buying, build, and maintenance checklists you can actually tick off as you go.
Who it's for
- You want a homelab but don't know where to start.
- You're tired of piecing together conflicting Reddit threads and YouTube videos.
- You want to avoid the expensive beginner mistakes (loud servers, SMR drives, no backups).
$19
Get the Blueprint →Instant PDF · 30-day money-back guarantee · pairs with our free buying guides
Prefer to research piece by piece first? Our free homelab buying guides and how-to blog cover the gear and the setup steps individually — the blueprint pulls it all into one ordered plan.