Hello
I am brand new to the Green movement. I have been doing a little research on line as the best way to build a "Green House". I have a small family and love the idea of subterra living.
Does anyone know of any builders in Indiana?
What is the least expensive way to build? I have seen earth bags, straw houses, and subterra domes. We are a middle to lower middle class when it comes to income. After the structure is built, I will be doing most of the work with the exception of eletrical and some plumbing myself. My main concern is can I afford to do it. If money was not an issue it would already be in the works. So I need to find a way to do this on a budget. With the rash of tornado's blowing through the midwest it is important to me to keep my family safe. Also I want to make a much smaller footprint, which I believe in the long run will be cheaper.
Any and all help, suggestions are welcome.
Thanks
Tony

Further:

I am also looking at building a storm shelter/root cellar. I would like it to be dual use but since we currently do not have a basement right now it would primarly be a storm shelter. If anyone has plans for this or information I would love the help. I did purchase a book on how to build a storm shelter. It is out of cement block and seems do-able. Can I use earth bags instead? and what would I fill them with here in Indiana.

 

Looking for builders...
Look on the PassiveHouseUS website, and the energy star.gov website. one of the main PassiveHouse goals is affordability so the builders will be cutting edge and should be helpful. For ES builders, ask what ES star level their last house was; getting "one star" is easy without doing much; a "five star plus", the highest rating, shows they are serious. I would think California type/earthquake rated tiedowns would certainly help, and ICF's with lots of rebar might be a good investment. Guess it makes sense for the country to start looking at what's still standing after tornadoes since they won't be letting up anytime soon.

Thank you Bob

You are correct about the tornado's last year one came with in 1/4 mile of my house and took out several houses down the street. So it is a real concern no matter if we stay where we are or move on. I appreciate your informaiton, everything I have seen realisticly cost to much for the average family to build. I will look into the sites you gave me.

what does a building lot with or without sewer & water go for there? Its a real problem here in New Hampster to find a building lot under 60 K anywhere, which helps to drive up housing costs.

more & more people are starting to use shipping containers for offices and dwellings. While they are somewhat weird and have to be well insulated, (they could be spray foamed) they can be combined and could be clad in something to look more "normal" You could even add sloped roofs for house like appearance. Windows can be cut in; shutters can be installed. thing is, they are welded steel, so tied down to a foundation or a slab or they would be pretty anything-proof.

houses are tough cost wise, so think compact & superinsulated. if you're able physically and financially, do a lot of the work yourself. Skimp on everything but the structure and the envelope; that's where you need the services or direction of a professional. painted plywood floors look good for years. Cheap big box osb T-111 plywood siding will work fine over a vented rainscreen; upgrade to clapboards somewhere down the line.

Bob

It varies vastly. For an acre in Marion county/Indianapolis you are looking at around 65,000 once you get outside of the inner city((sewer/water/eletric avbl). If you look into surrounding counties it is about 30-50 an acre for raw land. two counties out from indianapolis you can find an acre for around 2,000-8,000. Of course this varies. I have been looking for wooded land with in 1 hour of indianapolis and it is ranging from 2,000 for basically hills and valleys (wooded) to 40,000 for some wooded/flat land.  thats an acre.

This is our debate. try and buy an 1/2 acre-1 acre and build a "green" house through other means ie; earth bags, subterra. OR buy a pre-existing home and build a storm shelter/bunker/root cellar.
The cost to do what we want seems to be out of reach, that is why I am reaching out to see if there are people who have good information on how to do this affordably.

Bob

I have seen some storm shelters made out of shipping containers. I have considered that as well. Im just wondering if the city would even allow it. w/our jobs we have to live in the county.

I am afraid unless I hit the lotto my best bet would be to build a storm shelter. But how? what is the best method to use? everyone thinks they have it right.

Tony B,

the ICC - 500 is the code requirements for storm shelter constrction    http://www.iccsafe.org/Store/Pages/...008-000001

www.durashelter.com


contact [email protected]

There are good methods for superinsulating from the exterior, so if you can pick up an existing house at a really good price you can leave the interior intact & save money there. Basements/ foundations are more difficult to upgrade, but some things can be done. That would mean building a storm shelter inside/ next to. On the other hand, building in varied terrain (hills and valleys) you're more likely to have the drainage to build a basement. (foundation drains at the footing level below the floor need to drain to daylight) In a superinsulated house the basement will be warm & dry and makes good additional living space for less money than above ground space. That could double as your storm shelter also.

Posted By Tony B on 30 May 2011 03:50 PM

Further:

I am also looking at building a storm shelter/root cellar. I would like it to be dual use but since we currently do not have a basement right now it would primarly be a storm shelter. If anyone has plans for this or information I would love the help. I did purchase a book on how to build a storm shelter. It is out of cement block and seems do-able. Can I use earth bags instead? and what would I fill them with here in Indiana.

 

Same here am looking for a shelter/roof for my self as well. Tried the website og http://www.capitalsteelbuildings.co.uk. hope you are going to like the stuff for sale their too.... Do check it out.....

Thank upi all for the links and idea's. It is great information. Seems the more I look into it it seems more reasonable to build from scratch as far as a storm shelter goes. I have complete plans for a storm shelter. It requires 284 cement blocks. at 1.68 each, and 50 corner blocks at 2.00 each. along w/ drain tiles ect. one that is 12' X 8' can be built for roughly 2,100 dollars. It is a lot of work for one person but it seems to be the cheapist way to do it. (dig whole, lay drainage, lay brick & mortor, seal it, put roof on it, cover it, and ur done.

As far as a house goes, I am still looking at plans and ways to build. It is overwhelming w/ so many different ideas.

Tony B,

What do your plans specify to make the cement blocks strong enough to be a storm shelter?  For example, will all cores of the blocks be filled with concrete grout?  Is there a schedule for rebar?  Just curious as to what is involved when using cement blocks to make a storm shelter.

Alton
It does not call for rebar, and it states that if you live in colder climate and wish to insulate it better you can/should fill the blocks. I am not an expert by any stretch so feel free to educate me. But if its underground why would you need too? The soil should protect it from the wind and with it only spanning 8' (6' actuall interior space) in width it should be strong enough. These are the same plans used all over the country at many farm's across the midwest. It is 6 feet total inside height, 6' in width and 10' length. says to cover it w/ a minimum of a foot of soil. It explains how to make the roof to support the weight ect.

But I am interested in why you think it needs the rebar.

How much budget of your home contraction how many home you require send me complete information about your project and manage.

Hi Tony,
Do you have a dollar per square foot price in mind? Do you know about how many square feet you want?

Where I live (Finger Lakes NY) it is much cheaper to buy and upgrade, including adding your safe room, than build, but I did manage to build under $80 a square foot, doing the green stuff (energy efficiency, heating system, air sealing, insulation etc) and all the finish stuff myself. But we are not in a tornado area, have only had one small one on the farm, in the 34 years I have lived here.

-Rosalinda

How much money spend for your house contraction because many company work as contraction but explain me witch area you are living then i suggest you witch is the best.