How to Find the Cheapest Way to Build a House

Do-it-yourself projects make for the cheapest ways to build a house.

Finding the cheapest way to build a house remains a relative endeavor considering the wide number of choices available to home builders today. Prospective homeowners have choices in green and modern materials. The best cost-effective plans remain green do-it-yourself projects, because the earth around the home and other recycled materials are used to build the home. The economic rewards outweigh the gratification of finding the cheapest house-building plan. Conversely, home builders must be prepared to go six percent to 11 percent over their estimated budget.

Instructions

1. Avoid choosing high-end finishing materials as an unnecessary expenditure, if you want to find the cheapest way to build a house. Consider building a house without a pitched roof. Look for other house-building techniques that don't involve materials such as steel and concrete.

2. Study building techniques that avoid using too much wood. Visit home product stores to locate the cheapest prices for home-building materials like flooring, lighting, and fixtures. Go to used home-building stores to locate cheap prices for plumbing, doors, and windows, as well.

3. Ask the building contractor for information on affordable and quality building materials, if you hire one. Ask for a price quote for the use of each possible building material. Plan to incorporate as many do-it-yourself projects as possible, which will save money on labor.

4. Choose the cheapest quality building materials possible. Incorporate building techniques that include earth, water, and fire, like earth-bag and rammed earth homes. Consider natural building options that include domes, arches, and vaults. Choose at least one or two walls of your home as a green building project when possible. Choose green building projects, like earth-bag walls or recycled cordwood walls.

5. Plan out every detail of materials throughout all stages of the home building process. Write out each stage of building and the cost associated with each stage. Plan for any costs associated with using different contractors for each stage of your building project.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep extra money for any unexpected but necessary changes that you must make when you find the cheapest way to build a house. Find multiple prices for cabinetry and appliances when possible. Consider using a local apprentice or student for cabinet building projects.

• Avoid costly changes to your building project. Consider if the style and size of your home fits right within your limited budget, before making detailed plans. Changes could be a budget buster.

References

• Cheapest Type of House to Build
• Architecture Week Building Department: Dirt Cheap Houses from Elemental Materials
• Small House Building: Building a Cheap House

Resources

• Village Earth Appropriate Technology: Housing and Construction
• Natural Building Works: Building Beautiful and Resilient Homes