Our House: A Summary

Supplies total: $3,769
Labor total: $3,497
 =$7,226

Supplies breakdown: 
Lumber: $1,227
Nails and screws: $317 (we did not use every one…maybe had 20% left over)
Metal roof: $255
Straw bales: $80
Windows and Doors: $172 (used)
Insulation: $372
Flashing: $202
Other: $1,144
(tools, weather stripping, lath, extension cords, gutters, stain, paint, lath, fabric, lime)

Missing from estimate: Sand, some additional labor, our own labor, the circular saw we borrowed from my dad, runs to the store to pick up more of something, door knobs, and electrical wiring (surprisingly, I think these unexpected costs probably add another $800).

In summary, it cost about $8,000; half went to labor, half to materials.

Note that there is no kitchen or bathroom in this structure yet (there is a composting toilet hidden under the table, a water cooler, and a hot plate).

Things we learned:

• NEVER build a house in a hurry.  
• We compromised on quality in order to be speedy. 
• The exterior lime was not done properly, reducing the lifespan and integrity of the entire building. 
• I never finished the floor properly, meaning it will need to be resurfaced much sooner than normal.
• Some of the upstairs walls are stuffed with DRY STRAW which is a stupid fire hazard. 

• Spend money on the things that matter the most. 
• I wish I had done all the exterior lumber in cedar. Especially the siding.
• A few of the pine boards I ordered were damaged by rot on the ends, but I used them anyways. I'm thinking that was not a good idea.
• We found a great salvaged door, but it is ruined now due to exposure to the elements. I should have built an overhang to protect it right away. 
• A bigger porch would have been better, since we spend so much time outside. 
• Next time, if I build something more than one story, I will hire professionals. Even doing the loft (making my home 1.5 floors) was difficult and terrifying.

• Building a house is a social activity! 
• My family chipped in a lot, and we became good buddies with our builders. People often wanted to talk about my house, and I was glad to do so!

•  Building is an outdoor activity.
• This may be a "duh" for some of you, but our work was slowed by freezing rain, or just freaky cold temperatures (and we live in North Carolina!). I consider myself quite outdoorsy, but I was not happy out in that cold weather, elbow deep in wet straw. 

• Flexibility is Required.
  • Shit happens. Especially on your very first house. Don't expect exactly what you envision.
  •  I bought a giant window to be a super long window seat, but structurally it wasn't safe. So I did two small window seats. I also added windows I hadn't planned for.
   
• Stick to the plan.
• The building was supposed to be 12'x12' so it could legally be a shed. I added an extra foot at the last minute, because my rough cut 12 footers were actually 13 footers. Now it's a source of worry that it will prevent me from retroactively permitting it. 

• Build the house to code. 
• For us, the stress of building an under-the-radar house is absolutely not worth it. I'd rather pay the $500 to get the plans looked over by an architect next time. 
• Building a house that works for yourself is fine, but building an alternative house that others would want to live in too is more valuable. 
• Modern green building materials are getting more and more affordable, giving less and less reasons to build a cheap, secret green house like we did. 
• Building on someone else's land is a great low-cost solution, but you are at the mercy of their life and their luck. If they leave, your house will have to be moved at great expense... or left behind.