How to Build Dirt Cheap Houses

Ever wonder how to build a simple home for very little money, without going into debt? The key is to use low-cost, locally available natural materials such earth, small diameter wood and straw to keep expenses to a minimum. The real fun is incorporating all of these methods into an optimum, comfortable, affordable home.

Our earthbag projects have confirmed what I’ve known for a long time – that building at $10/sq.ft. (materials only) or thereabouts is possible. Other aspects of earthbag building -- strength, durability, sustainability, etc. -- are all important. But perhaps the most important point is affordability, because building at $10/sq. ft. makes housing affordable to virtually everyone on the planet. The last page of this Instructable includes a list of $10/sq. ft. projects built by others.

A big reason for the growing popularity of earthbag building is its low cost. You can build shelters for under $1,000. For $1,000-$5,000 you could have a nice, small home that would outlast most conventional wood-framed houses, and be quieter, non-toxic and more comfortable.

Are you on an extremely tight budget? (Ha, who isn’t nowadays.) Then I suggest building small using local natural materials, building in stages and adding on as you can afford it. For instance, build one roundhouse and live in it until you’ve saved enough to build another. You could join the roundhouses with arched or gabled covered walkways, vine covered pergolas, enclosed passageways or additions, or just leave them free standing. Extending rectilinear structures (adding one room at a time) would be even easier. Building a little at a time like this requires planning ahead for future doorways and other considerations, but it enables you to build debt free.

Step 1 Potential Savings

The following list summarizes some of the potential savings from using natural building materials and alternative construction methods. If you’re wondering why they’re not more widely used, it’s because contractors, banks, realtors and others in the housing industry make more profit from the current system. It’s up to you to get informed and switch to a sustainable lifestyle.

1. Foundation: Insulated frost-protected foundations do not have to be as deep as standard foundations and therefore use fewer materials, require less excavation and backfill, less form work and less labor. Earthbag foundations – polypropylene bags filled with gravel, scoria or pumice on a rubble trench – make an excellent foundation. They also reduce long-term energy costs because they are very energy efficient. This type of foundation is well within the scope of most owner-builders. Potential savings: $2,000 (more in cold climates where foundations are typically very deep), and lower energy costs.

2. Earthen floor: Earthen floors last indefinitely and eliminate the need for other floor coverings. (Earthen floors in Taos Pueblo are over 600 years old.) They also provide thermal mass by absorbing heat from the sun and releasing it gradually at night, which reduces energy costs. Adding insulation under the floor can produce even greater energy savings. They are very comfortable to walk on. Pigments can be troweled onto the surface to create any number of designs. Some of the most beautiful resemble leather. Flooring products such as linoleum and synthetic carpet need to be replaced regularly and usually off-gas harmful fumes. Earthen floors are well within the reach of most do-it-yourselfers, although you might want to hire a couple of semi-skilled laborers to speed the process. Major savings come from not hiring a contractor and not building the floor with wood floor joists, beams, subflooring, and eliminating the need for finish flooring materials such as carpet. Potential savings: $4,000 (much more in many cases), and lower long-term replacement costs. Tamped Earth Floors  

3. Radiant floor heating: Radiant heating uses hot water that flows through plastic tubing in the floor (for example, inside an earthen floor). Radiant heating is the most comfortable and efficient form of heating. The floor is always warm and comfortable and the air temperature is always uniform because hot air rises. Insulation under the slab (scoria, perlite, etc.) insures that most of the heat radiates up into the home. Forced air furnaces contribute to cold and allergy problems because they create dust and dry out the air. But radiant heat is clean, safe, and quiet. The savings here come from installing it yourself, which is very feasible. You may need assistance installing the mechanical systems, but most homeowners could easily install the tubing. Suppliers often design the system for free if you buy the parts from them. Potential savings: thousands of dollars over the life of the home in energy savings.

4. Strawbale or earthbag walls: The main benefit of straw-bale construction, in addition to the environmental aspects, is the energy efficiency of thick, super-insulated walls. Strawbale is especially practical in cold, dry climates, and is very fast and easy to learn. Earthbag is ideal for many regions, especially hot climates and areas subject to tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding. Both are well suited for seismic areas. Potential savings: lower cost for DIY versus hiring contractors, and thousands of dollars over the life of the home in energy savings. Straw-bale Construction , Earthbag Building

5. Small diameter wood: As a result of poor management, US forests are choked with small trees. Thinning this excess wood improves the health of forests, reduces risk of forest fires and provides a nearly unlimited source of wood for those who harvest it. These small trees can be used in the round (which is inherently stronger than milled lumber) for pole trusses, posts, beams, etc. They can also be turned into door and window bucks, studs, plates, rafters, cabinets and furniture using a portable sawmill or an inexpensive chainsaw guide. Potential savings: thousands of dollars, depending on how much you use instead of milled lumber.
Small Diameter Wood – An Underutilized Building Material

6. Earthen plaster: Using earthen plaster on walls has proven effective for many thousands of years. With wide roof overhangs of 36" or so, earthen plaster will hold up very well in most climates, requiring only minor maintenance. Earthen plaster is a favorite among DIY natural builders. People of all ages and skill levels can participate with almost no training. Potential savings: thousands of dollars, depending on what materials are eliminated.

7. Passive solar design: Solar energy is free from the sun, so it makes sense to maximize its potential. Proper siting of the house is necessary. Locate the longest axis of the house towards south (in the northern hemisphere). Install additional high-efficiency windows on the south side and use fewer windows on the east, west, and north walls. Balance this with other factors such as daylighting, ventilation, curb appeal, etc. Protect south facing windows with a properly sized roof overhang. You want to block the hot summer sun but allow the lower winter sun to shine into the home. The main benefits of passive solar energy are lower long-term energy costs and a brighter, more pleasant living space. Potential savings: thousands of dollars over the long term in energy savings.

8. Lower mortgage rate: It’s best to build small, build in stages and pay with cash. But if you decide to get a mortgage, some lending institutions will charge a lower rate on homes with energy saving features that are rated by a recognized source such as Energy Rated Homes of Colorado (ERHC). ERHC is a state sponsored organization whose ratings are accepted by every bank and lender. Potential savings: $2,000, plus thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

9. Metal roofing: Metal roofing is one of the most cost-effective, durable and practical roofing materials. It will last several times longer than asphalt shingles and is resistant to hail. It is probably the fastest and easiest roofing material to install. Because metal roofing is fire resistant, you may be able to get a discount on your home insurance. There is less chance of leaks and water damage in comparison to asphalt shingles. It is also a good choice environmentally. Metal roofing contains recycled steel and can be recycled again in the future. Additional savings can come from using white or light-colored roofs to reflect heat in hot climates. A properly designed and well insulated home often will not need a cooler or air conditioning system. The estimated savings here assume you will install your own metal roofing, but would have hired a contractor to install the heavier asphalt shingles. Potential savings: $3,000 initially, plus long term energy savings and lower maintenance costs.

Comments

[elizrbaldwin]

I love earthen houses! I have been fortunate enough to live in one for a short period of time, and I love the way they stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The house I stayed in was heated by a wood stove, but the radiant floor heat would be heavenly!

[czflgator]

BTW While you're out in the country looking at land, check with feed stores or ranchers to see about getting free bags to put the dirt in. Nowadays most livestock feed comes in polypropylene bags and they usually don't recycle them, so you'd be saving them from winding up in a dump and saving money as well....

[czflgator]

If you can purchase land in agricultural zoning, check the codes for building barns. Usually you can have an "office" in a barn, plus a bathroom. In my area, you can have a bathroom and office area, but not a full kitchen. Of course, once the permits are pulled, the structure built and signed off on, who's going to know what modifications you make?

[Zdaddy]

The problem I am facing is where to build. I've seen countless of very cool and interesting alternative home building methods. So I know I am capable of doing it and I'm not ever going to be out of ideas.

I bought 0.25acres of land in the mountains about 45 mins away...only to find out there is no where in my state that you can get away with this kind of living. Luckily I was able to back out of the deal due to the seller not disclosing certain things to me as the buyer, I got my money back. That was a close call!

There is a case right now in San Diego of a man that is being evicted from his land even though he is paid in full and paid his taxes for over 20 years, the new neighbors just dont like that he lives in a mud hut on his acreage. It devalues their home. The city is backing up the neighbors.

I've been running this through my mind for years now and unless I leave the state or build in secret away from prying eyes (which wont ever happen, too much risk and at least in CA there are eyes everyhwere) or buy property and submit building permits (ha! Good luck!) then I can't build my own sand bag home. All californians are doomed to live strapped down to rent (100% interest home) or a mortgage which makes you a slave to the bank.

What we really need is an instructable on how you can make it possible to build homes like these.

[Owen Geiger]

The other alternative is hiring an engineer to stamp your plans. The only engineer at this time is Precision Structural Engineering, Inc. Their engineer stamp will enable you to build virtually anywhere. www.structure1.com

However, be forewarned. Code approved structures will cost significantly more than ordinary earthbag houses. Way more. About several times the cost.

[Owen Geiger]

We have a blog post on Counties with Few or No Building Codes. It's our most popular topic, so obviously people are interested in learning more about this.
http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/counties-with-few-or-no-building-codes/

The blog post lists some of the best areas and some general advice. Be sure to read the comments. In general, there are lots of areas in the western US where you can build with earthbags, and other areas too.

California is probably the most difficult state to deal with. Any highly populated state is difficult. We always suggest building in rural areas with few or no codes. I don't know how else to explain it. It's more of a personal journey one has to go through. Everyone's opinion about climate, geography, town size, etc. is different. You'll have to figure out what works for you.

[Zdaddy]

Thank you for the links Owen! You seem passionate about this, its an inspiration. I wont give up! :)

[wazupwiop]

Hello Mr. Geiger,
I am 16 years old, and "green housing" really interests me. I have always wanted to be a Civil/Electical engineer, but I was wondering what college degrees you would recommend to get into the field of this kind of housing. It seems like there is a lot of eco-science involved, so I just wanted to get your opinion.
Thanks!

[Owen Geiger]

Construction is a huge field. There are architects, engineers, project managers, expediters, cost estimators, foremen, supervisors, designers, surveyors, city planners, etc. There are also lots of business opportunities in producing building materials, software, etc. So the first step is to identify your natural skills, talents and interests and then align those with promising job prospects. For instance, the big money is typically in commercial work, but maybe you're not interested in 'green skyscrapers' and urban development. Maybe you'd like a more academic route in materials science. Or you could get good at a few related skills.

Plan carefully because the housing market looks like it's on a long downward spiral due to a poor economy and the collapse of the housing bubble. Also think about what is most in demand and what jobs can't be offshored to lower cost workers. Will your dream job even exist in 20 years? Or will that field be automated? Lots of considerations.

[wazupwiop]

I live in Ohio, and the state is asking for people to pursue engineering of any kind. They need electrical engineers at the car manufacturing plants, and they need civil engineers because the state has plans to expand cities and roads.

Another reason why I expect engineering to grow is that the world's population is growing. Two weeks ago, we just passed 7 billion in population. In 50 years, 8 billion people will live on earth. This is a big issue in larger cities like New York, where they cannot expand horizontally, but only vertically. New York needs Civil Engineers to design their building and etc. While I don't necessarily want to design sky scrapers, I still think my job will be around in 50 years or so.

I see the possibilities of green housing in the Plain States. States like Ohio, Iowa, and Nebraska face cold winters, but we also have really large plains. I could see these houses built out in the rural areas.

Thanks!

[Owen Geiger]

Engineering has always been a stable career and seems like one of the best options for the future. That's one reason I majored in civil engineering. That's what they teach at West Point. They want their officers to be real thinkers and problem solvers.

There are many different specialties. For me, building highways was very boring.( I still had to take all those classes.) My interest is obviously affordable housing. So look into all the various career paths to find what's right for you.

[broper]

nice ible

[emacafee1]

Possibly a silly question, but what do you do with all the ash from your woodstove? I was under the impression that the ash and smoke from treated lumber is sorta toxic.

[Owen Geiger]

I never burned treated wood. Not sure where you're getting that from. The pallets we used were from a local company, not an international shipper. International pallets are treated.

[emacafee1]

"Heat with wood scraps from sawmills, cabinet shops"

I work at a truss factory, and alot of people dive the bins for fire wood. it's all surface treated 2x4, which Health Canada says a big NO to burning, but i'm looking into the whys and what ifs. When i read Cabinet Shops, i assumed some of your wood was treated. my bad.

anyways, thanks for the tip on the pallets. keep excellent.

[emacafee1]

On further reflection, i don't think the wood i work with is treated at all. I was put under the impression by listening to someone who is pretty ignorant. Pardon my contagious misinformation. thanks for the excellent instructables.

[cerve]

http://www.shinawest.ru/

[k24tea]

Thank you for your informative and inspiring instructable. These houses are amazingly attractive and appealing to me. In the '70s I thought I wanted to build a geodesic dome house, but that desire was quickly supplanted by admiration of adobe when I moved to New Mexico. Now, nearly 40 years later, I still yearn to build an earth house with wooden lintels and beams shaped by nature. Earth bag construction seems so much less labor intensive than making all those adobe bricks!

At this point I'd like to ask two questions, please:

1. I have some forested land in southeastern USA that I'd like to build my house on. Is it feasible to build an earth bag house in a humid climate that gets frequent rain in summer? Or would it require quite a lot of weather-related maintenance?

2. I imagine it would be somewhat easier to get a construction permit in rural areas than in cities, but even there it could be very hard to convince the Powers That Be to issue a permit for and give unbiased inspections on a method and design that doesn't meet conventional expectations, even if it meets all the code requirements. Any advice re. getting approval from the local planning/building authorities in USA localities where they're not already familiar with adobe construction?

Thanks for any insight you can offer on these questions. Your instructable has inspired me to get cracking on some preliminary plans!

[Owen Geiger]

Thanks. You can get a permit by going through Precision Structural Engineering, Inc. http://www.structure1.com/

They've pre-approved my earthbag plans: http://earthbagplans.wordpress.com/

Add wide roof overhangs and lots of windows in hot, humid climates and earthbag will work great. More here: http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles.htm#climate

[k24tea]

Thanks for the links. I'll check them out before I get too involved in the design. I've also hust finished reading your other Instructables. Lots of good stuff you've done! It looks like I may be able to realize my "dream house" after all -- small, affordable to build, energy efficient, easy to maintain, fits well into the surrounding environment. What's not to like?!

I can imagine this as a project for Habitat for Humanity or other non-profit organization, with lots of volunteers working alongside a few pros to build homes for the needy. You should get an award for your efforts toward affordable & sustainable housing!

[Owen Geiger]

Thanks. Earthbag is perfect for affordable housing, including disaster areas where typical building materials are hard to get. Reports are trickling in from groups doing this and we post their stories on our blog. http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/

We've heard of two new earthbag projects in Haiti where Habitat was aware of the houses. The earthbag houses were a fraction of the cost of the Habitat houses and cooler. Stay tuned because one of these projects will be on our blog soon.

[greichert]

.. i like this kind of buildings :-)

[velacreations]

Here's a really cheap system for doing earthen floors: http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-and-Easy-Brick-Floors/

[Owen Geiger]

Great! I'll probably put this on our Earthbag Building Blog soon.

[velacreations]

That's great! I am a BIG fan of your blog. Feel free to link to the original article on my site: http://velacreations.com/cebfloors.html

We have a lot of projects that might be of interest to your readers. We love dirt-cheap building and homesteading!

[Owen Geiger]

Okay, thanks. I'll do that.

[bennionS]

How would you make unplanned holes in a earth bag wall for new windows or doorways?

[Owen Geiger]

You want to plan ahead as much as possible to prevent this from happening. Otherwise you'll have to chisel away at it. Keep new openings as small as possible and have a plan for dealing with the header/lintel.

[raja681]

i live in iowa where it is very cold in the winter but im not complaning but wut should i do for a roof because of the snow and wind and wut not

[Owen Geiger]

Earthbag building is a wall system. You can use any type of roof you want. Most people use trusses because they provide lots of space for insulation. The two most energy efficient trusses are raised heel trusses and flat bottom trusses. Both give you added insulation right above the walls.

[tharrington]

I am about to move to IA. I love your spiral Dome Magic 1. Would it still be possible to build where it's mostly flat land? How long is the estimate building time of say 3 people or maybe 6 people helping? Would there be any extra cost to make it Iowa winter proof? Thanks so much for your designs and info they are really beautiful and inspiring!

[Owen Geiger]

I was born in Burlington and spent a fair amount of time north of there near Sperry. Great farmland! But also very cold in the winter.

The Spiral Dome Magic will work well there. Flat land is great. I actually prefer that over building below grade. Berm the earth up against the sides so the water flows away from the home. This also buffers it from the cold.

Building it with scoria (lava rock) would be my first choice. There's lots more info on our blog about building with scoria.

It's impossible to say how long something will take. There's a big difference in strength and building skills. Also, the method you use will affect how long it takes. Scoria will go several times faster than tamping earthbags. It's like handling bags of popcorn. No matter how you do it, figure on at least several months of hard work.

[tharrington]

Great, thanks so much. I just tried a google search for scoria, do you know how to find or search for large amounts of scoria near Fairfield Iowa? I was thinking I would just build the Dome first and live in that so I could take my time building the rest stress free:) If I get the okay to build this I will be looking forward to seeing the design plan:) You are amazing with your willingness to spend time giving responses to everyone and I really look forward to using your designs! Thanks so much.

[Owen Geiger]

Scoria is sold as decorative rock for landscaping. Check landscape suppliers in large cities. Here's one blog post that discusses how it's used in earthbag building:
http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/using-scoria-for-earthbag-building/

[tharrington]

Forgot to mention that I am certified in Natural Building and Permaculture and any help I have will be with mostly experienced people so we should be on the faster side than slow side of building it:)

[Daybringer]

Hi Owen!
I checked out some of your designs. They are awesome!
I really liked the Three-Pod Floor Plan.

[Owen Geiger]

Thanks. Lots of people are taking these basic designs and customizing them. Right now I'm doing a six pod with a pool, etc. in the protected courtyard.

[porcupinemamma]

all of the homes are so beautiful!!

[Owen Geiger]

It's really fun looking for homes like this on the Internet. I've been using Google Images a lot. Use various search words like earthbag, adobe, the name of a country, etc. and you can turn up thousands of similar images.

[Sylphhawkins]

Thanks so much Owen for providing links, images and resources to these wonderful alternative material building ideas.

I'm currently almost finished with a small "Eco Shed" that I've been building to provide rain water, solar/wind power, firewood storage space, etc.. for my family.

Currently, it's just a simple 30' degree pitched roof, on posts, with tin roof and guttering, running down to a rain water tank kept underneath the structure to minimise the amount of direct sun onto the tank. Solar panels mounted on-top, with a Wind generator pole bracketed to one of the side posts.

It's designed to fit onto a normal medium sized car trailer, for easy(ish) moving from house to house (while we are currently renting), and then hopefully to find a more permanent home when we find some good and affordable land to purchase.

It's currently a recycled pine-timber structure, but once this is finished, I am definately going to try my hand at a small earthbag structure, as I am discovering more and more that building mostly with timber, even recycled, seems like an impractical use of wood, compared to saving the good quality timber for important "wood jobs", like door/window frames, internal supports, etc..

Your "How to Build an Earthbag Roundhouse" is just stunning in the photos,

congratulations and many thanks again for continuing to inspire my own love of alternative construction.
^_^