How to Build Cheap Houses in America

Inexpensive Styrofoam house

Building cheap houses in America is difficult, but usually not for a lack of inexpensive resources. As many home designs are available as the people to think of them, but they generally fall into one or several categories: standard (square with boxed rooms), custom standard, dome, earthen or subterranean. Each has many distinctive characteristics, but, oddly, the standard square types are the most expensive to build. The key to building and living in a cheap house in America is personally designing and building the home on land outside of urban areas.

Instructions

1. Locate property without building codes or inspections. Buildings must be manufactured to a standard, and have proper permits, which can add substantial costs through high fees and lengthy inspections. Not having to build to a specified code or to apply for permits will reduce the overall cost of the house and allow for alternative building techniques.

2. Decide on a structure that does not require excessive material or construction costs. Domes and earth-based designs can usually be covered or even fully constructed with the local natural materials. Standard square, wood houses need a lot of lumber and time to build correctly; the typical wood-framed house is substantially less durable than many other alternatives, and requires high maintenance. Rammed-earth use the actual soil from the home's location to fill exterior walls, sometimes packed into used automotive tires. Covering such a thick foundation with a geodesic concrete dome will ensure that the home lasts well beyond the lifespan of a stick home, and require far less maintenance. Coverings can be quite inexpensive, yet strong and durable. Styrofoam, concrete, pre-fab composite panels and adobe are only a few of the possible ways to make a home weather-proof without resorting to expensive materials.

3. Collect volunteers or family members to construct the house. More than half of the cost of a house is labor, and without breaking immigration laws this labor must be paid a regulated amount per hour. Many "green" homes will attract the alternative- home crowd, and many will happily come to help in the construction. Get the word out about the new design, and frequent alternative-building websites and forums. Chances are high that several persons will travel to help construct the house.

4. Reduce the number of recurring bills that the house would normally generate. Electricity and water are fundamental to living in a comfortable home. Installing a solar or wind-powered generator system coupled with the installation of a well with good ground water are excellent ways of avoiding the high cost of "grid" resources. This also negates the need for having the electrical and water systems of the house permitted and inspected.

5. Reduce waste in the construction of the house. Having to remove waste can get costly, as each load must be hauled to a refuse facility. Reusing or storing leftover parts can eliminate the need to remove it.

Tips & Warnings

• Building partially underground will reduce the amount of heating and cooling that is necessary. Buying only the size of land that is necessary will reduce property taxes.

• Do not burn construction waste, as it may contain chemicals.

References

• Alternative Home Plans - Architect Designed Homeplans for Unique Custom Homes
• Elements of an Energy Efficient House

Resources

• American Ingenuity
• Styrofoam Dome House