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​Use an Old House on Your Block

​A former colleague bought a beautiful Edwardian weatherboard house and had it transported to her country block. It had wonderful features such as leadlight windows, high pressed metal ceilings, baltic pine floorboards and so on. You can then insulate the walls by stripping off the lath and plaster and replacing it with modern plasterboard after putting in insulation. Ceiling insulation is simple to do too. Since it's weatherboard, you can enlarge windows to let in the northern sunshine too. You can put in water storage bladders under the floors before the house is trucked in, and you could probably even put 2 smaller houses together and connect them into 1 bigger house (I saw that in an old BH&G mag). I really want to try it myself, but do love where I live now. It appeals to me for the "green ethics" of re-using as well as the beauty of Edwardian houses. And there are companies which specialise in moving old buildings to new locations, so you're not trying to get through the bureaucracy yourself. Contributed by Vanessa Reynolds, 27th September 2013

​Look to a Straw Bale House to Save Money

Have you considered Straw Bale Houses? They are cheaper to build, and very cheap to run - they are quite energy efficient and are the easiest for novice home builders to DIY. It is estimated that a straw bale house will cost under $1,000 per square metre - slightly less than the cost of a brick veneer home the same size (about $1,200 per square metre) to a medium level of finish, meaning you can save on the bones of the house and have more to spend where it counts, in areas such as door hardware, lighting, plumbing and kitchen/bathroom finishes.
​Contributed by Sandra Darling, 27th September 2013

​Hebel Alternative

Look at alternative sustainable building materials such as Hebel (autoclaved aerated concrete) which is lightweight concrete that comes in blocks and panels and can be used for load bearing and non-load bearing constructions. It has been awarded the Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) label for each of its products and systems. It is energy efficient and best of all so much cheaper to erect than bricks and mortar. You can render it or just paint it with a really good outdoor paint. We know some folks who saved thousands by using Hebel to build their home. Also check out recycled building material salvage yards.
​ Contributed by Di Christidis, 26th September 2013

​Alternative to Building a House

My husband caught up with one of his old workmates recently who had bought a block of land and then found a house that was going to be demolished. They paid $2,000 for the house and $14,000 to get it transported to their block and all set up. This was the quickest and cheapest way for them to get set up on their new block. It may take a little while to find a house you would like to have, but some of the old houses that are being demolished are actually in quite reasonable condition, the owners just want to knock them down and put in townhouses for a profit. Some of the savings made (including the money saved on rent while building) can be used to retrofit the house with energy and water saving devices... tanks, insulation, double glazed windows etc. Good luck.
​ Contributed by Lauri Widdup, 26th September 2013

​Barter with Trades for Work

My husband is in gyprock, he has often bartered for jobs. Once he did a house for someone who gave him a car (it was exactly the car he was looking for). He will do jobs for friends for free and then when they have skills we need its reciprocated (for example ones a painter, ones a kitchen fitter). You should ask if anyone is interested in a deal. My husband once got us a much needed new second hand freezer by trading an eskie of seafood he caught. Our family are not seafood lovers so he always has more than we need, the freezer man was pleased to have lovely crayfish and fish, if he had bought it at the shop it would have cost him more than he would have got for the freezer. It is amazing what you can get for no dollars by just chatting with people.
​Contributed by Seana Morris, 26th September 2013

​Modern Straw Bale Homes

Straw bale homes are a great alternative to the regular homes usually built. I watched a straw bale house being built in NSW last year and stopped and spoke to the builder. He encourages people to join him during the process of the house being built (like a workshop). This would also cut your costs while he is teaching you. I have lost his business card, but u could find him on the net. his first name was Frank. The building was in Merimbula, NSW.
​Contributed by Evol Lancaster, 26th September 2013

​Build a Better Home, Cheaper

​I've been running a building company for ten years including designing our own houses/townhouses. Here are my top tips: 1. Hire a good draughtsman, they can design as well as an architect and know all the local council rules and BSA regulations. 2. Keep it simple! 3 bed, 2 bath, one living area opening out onto patio. 3. Plumbing: put it all together i.e. bathrooms back to back, kitchen and laundry back to back etc. 4. Efficient design: an oblong is the most efficient for room - remember you can dress it up later with furnishing and landscaping. 5. Insulation: yes you can put it in, check with your electrician as you will get close to wiring etc. 6. Energy rating: get 6 star by orientating living to north, use ceiling fans and cross ventilation. 7. Remember: you don't need a huge house! You do want easy flow living! 8. $$$ savers: have a carport instead of a lock-up garage. Have no pantry or a small one, your freezer is more use. If you have good rainfall you don't need a water tank. Don't have a large kitchen - a small efficient one is easy to design - i.e. straight along one wall and a 1.5m freestanding bench parallel. 9. Ask your draughtsman for tradies. Speak to the BSA re contracts and your obligations as buyer. 10. Go see lots of open homes in your area. Have fun and good luck. Contributed by Kaye Silich, 26th September 2013

​Buy a House and Put on Your Block

​Thirty years ago we bought a house for removal and placed it on our block. We ended up finishing off the house with just our savings with no mortgage and essentially a brand new house with all the character of an old one. It can be tricky to get the right house and removalist and make sure your local council is happy with your plan. At the time this was a radical move but wow - what a life changer! Contributed by Deb Hoffrichter, 26th September 2013

​Sustainable Living

I am in a similar situation. I have started researching at the local library and there are some great resources there. I also picked up "Practical Self Sufficiency" by Dick Strawbridge which covers sustainable ideas for existing and new homes as well as water storage etc. on limited budgets. Look out for sales on fixtures and fittings e.g. tiles etc. Good luck and hope all goes smoothly.
​Contributed by Bernie Crayford, 26th September 2013

​Owner Builder Magazine

There is a magazine called 'The Owner Builder' which is full of information on building your own home on a budget and with sustainable features. I used to buy it from the newsagents, then I found it for loan at the library.
​ Contributed by Frances Gall, 26th September 2013