How to build economical house?

[jayateerthrk]

Hi All,

Need your suggestion to build economic house construction. What are the possible ways to save cost in construction.

Thanks in advance.
-Jay

[msn1270]

jayateerth

you may have to take a totally different path to go for a non-conventional way of construction. please find the attached articles, which may through some lights into your thoughts.

[msn1270]

There is also an architect by name chitra vishwanath and she has made a good informative website of her eco friendly works. visit http://www.inika.com/chitra/index.htm.

also another attachment given.

[tvsh]

msn1270,

Thanks for the links.

The main issue with these alternate technologies is lack of qualified manpower and finding an engineer willing to undertake the construction. From a home owners perspective, the home owner gets a cheaper house. From an engineer's perspective, he is doing something he is not used to doing, so there is risk and the returns are less. So they generally discourage such "money saving" new ideas.

[blrsiteseeker]

There is also an architect by name chitra vishwanath and she has made a good informative website of her eco friendly works. visit http://www.inika.com/chitra/index.htm.

also another attachment given.

Oh eco friendly does not always equal economical. Chitra Viswanath herself charges a bomb, not sure of the end result on cost of the construction though.

[sansjunk]

Oh eco friendly does not always equal economical. Chitra Viswanath herself charges a bomb, not sure of the end result on cost of the construction though.

I totally second that! I was thinking of approaching them for my house but learnt about the pricing and didn't even bother meeting them! However they seem to have a monopoly on earth block construction. Its a pity they are not economical

[parkom]

It is a pity that environmentally sound construction (based often on our olden traditions) is beyond the reach of most and continues to be treated as "boutique" practice by architects. If these techniques and construction methods were to be commercialized on a larger scale, prices would drop. I guess availability of skilled and stable labor would continue to be a challenge in achieving this.

[msn1270]

All I would like to say is, My view was to show some visual examples of ecofriendly and economic constructions, by reducing the consumption of traditionally used pricey construction materials like Steel, Cement, wood and toxic Paints & re-use of soil taken out from the plot to prepare the Bricks, which definitely gives cost benefit. Two of my relatives had constructed this kind of homes a long back(almost 10 years back itself). Also seen such a house nearby my area which doesn't have any external plastering, painting and fully compliant with maximum natural light, ventilation in a 60X40 Site, with solar and Rain water Harvesting...etc.

Honestly, I've no idea about the charges of artichects who provides consultancy for this kind of structures.

[jayateerthrk]

Thanks msn for the info.
As others mentioned engineers/structural engineers do not entertain unconventional methods,specially for roof.

[sansjunk]

Thanks msn for the info.
As others mentioned engineers/structural engineers do not entertain unconventional methods,specially for roof.

You may want to check with few more. In my experience of finding a contractor I found few who do filler slabs (the Laurie Baker style) which is more economical than a regular slab and it also reduces heat during summer. Also if you are up to it you can also explore double-tiled roofs, for which you should easily be able to find people to do it.