Expert Advice on Straw Bale Building

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Building Costs

Most contractors estimate the cost of a wall system will be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total budget. Because of this, your straw bales (as a building material) are going to directly affect only that percentage of the total cost. That said, straw bale buildings can offer a small cost advantage over conventional homes, mostly in the form of less expensive building materials and sweat equity. By replacing both wall-framing lumber and insulation plus plastic vapor barriers, nails, glues and more with straw (a single inexpensive material), you can lower material costs. The interior and exterior plaster cladding, depending on the choice of ingredients and application method, can be comparable in price to that of other cladding systems such as drywall, brick, vinyl or wood siding.

You also might save money on framing labor. Because bales are more user-friendly than other wall systems, many people save on labor costs by doing the work themselves. The cost of hiring labor for frame homes and bale homes is about the same, so the amount you will save depends on how much sweat equity you put into the house.

Most people combine hired help with their own labor and that of volunteers family, friends and neighbors. (For help locating green building experts, potential work-party volunteers and other straw bale buildings in your area, check out our free Green Homes and Renewable Energy Directory, at www.MotherEarth News.com/greenhomes.Mother)

Remember that if you build the house yourself, you will have to make a significant time commitment. While you may not be paying for labor, you may be losing earnings from missed time at your job. You should mix and match your talents and interests with those of local professionals to find a good balance between your budget, time and level of expertise.

With the exception of the exterior, other construction costs for a straw bale house can be identical to those of any other building style. You can buy cheap materials to save money on other aspects of your house, such as the foundation, roof, windows, mechanical systems and interior finishings, but make sure you weigh the initial savings against long-term benefits. More money spent upfront on better building materials can lead to energy savings and less maintenance expenses in the long run.

Mortgages, Insurance and Resale value

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