Mother's 1986 Low Cost Home Building Contest

(Page 3 of 3)

May/June 1986
By the Mother Earth News editors 
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The Marquardts even managed to use a log in their spiral stairway. They took a 6" diameter pole, cut it into 6" lengths, and drilled a 3/4" hole through the center of each round. These spacers and 2 X 12 X 2' 6" treads were slipped onto a 12'-long, 3/4" steel rod. Lengths of 1" dowel support the perimeter by spanning from the back of one tread to the front of the next one up.

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THE FRUIT

Fourteen months after setting the first batter board in June of 1980, Wayne, Marcia, Jamey, Matt, and Sara moved in. As is the case for many owner-builders, though, moving in didn't mean the work was over; finishing up took most of another year.

The payoff for the Marquardts' restraint and diligence is an attractive, comfortable, energy-efficient home that cost them only $8,900 out of pocket. That's $5.63 per square foot for all new materials. Instead of being the token of a $50,000 mortgage (that might cost them $135,000 over the years), their home is completely bought and paid for. And instead of paying hundreds per month for heat, they cut wood from their own land to feed their two woodstoves. Their annual heating and cooling bill is about $200, including $40 for chain-saw maintenance. What's more, by the time you read this, they will have submitted the final payment on their 20 wooded acres, thereby retiring the six-year land contract they took in 1980 at 10% interest.

So not only do the Marquardts have a beautiful and energy-efficient home, their average monthly housing expenses now run $16.67!

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you'd like more details on the construction methods used in the Marquardts' log house (the first contest winner was described in MOTHER N0. 98), you can get their illustrated pamphlet by sending $5.00 to Box 242, Mediapolis, IA 52637.

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