Info and pictures on Mike Oehler's Post, shoring and polyethylene (PSP) method homes.
Got a piece of land (preferably hilly), $50 bucks and like to dumpster dive???? You could be on your way to having your own house!
I was skeptical- but figured I could spare $50 and some labor. My cabin is going on 3 years now with no major problems - except that it continues to grow larger. ;D After the success of this method was verified by me, I continued to experiment with different methods of alternate construction, combining them with the PSP method. Nearly everything I have done is low cost.
I am probably around $5000 into this for 2000 sq ft. This doesn't take into account the cost of equipment which I already had, or unnecessary additions which I could have built rather than purchased (french doors-etc).
If you get serious about it, get Mike's videos too.
http://www.undergroundhousing.com/structures.html
Glenn
Glenn knows that of which he speaks!
For new visitors, here is a link to his project in all its ever changing glory.
http://www.countryplans.com/underground.html
very cool!
is it cooler in the summer?
jon
It is cooler than outside and will be better as I get more of the second section done. We have very hot nights here so it gets near 80 after an extended period of heat.
Note: The handsome fellow in the picture with my wife is a friend of the family whos wife works at the Veterans Hospital with my wife.
There are more pictures under the underground update section. Here is a link- most pictures are linked on the first page on the Yahoo link.
http://countryplans.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=01;action=display;num=1107141843