Stuck renting because building feels out of reach?
Build your own home on a budget—even on a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle.
Learn how to cut costs for your build with Build Outside the Box's
Building on a Budget!
SIGN UP NOW!You can build a home without breaking the bank.
Created by a team of building experts and DIYers, this course covers many tips and tricks to saving $ on building your natural/alternative home such as:
- Financing and budgeting strategies for your project
- Non-mainstream funding options for your project
- Finding dirt-cheap land
- Designing small and efficient spaces
- Energy-efficient design
- Building with salvaged materials
- Advantages to DIY & saving $
- Real-life examples and strategies from those who have built for less!
If you are planning to build for yourself and are looking to keep costs down while building, this course is a MUST-HAVE!
In Building on a Budget, we bring you insights from experts and DIYers who have saved money building for themselves and others!
LET'S GO!With instructors teaching on different topics, you will gain expert insights to help you avoid common pitfalls, save money, and plan for success!
Are you...
➡️ frustrated by the lack of affordable housing?
➡️ disappointed by the scarcity of healthy & resilient housing options?
➡️ longing to escape the monotony of our current built environment?
➡️ wanting to reconnect with nature in a daily/tangible way?
➡️ concerned about the potential collapse of the systems that support our daily lives?
➡️ inspired to be more self-sufficient?
➡️ itching to create rather than consume?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above then Building on a Budget is a great place to start your journey!
JOIN US!
We've covered all the basics to get you started...
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Video class library with resource links
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Lifetime access to course and additional Build on a Budget future add-ons!
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Action steps to move your project forward!
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Project Planner to help you step-by-step!
Building on a Budget contains:
- Firsthand lessons from budget-conscious builders.
- Case-studies of budget-friendly builds.
- Stories of struggle and triumph.
- Creative solutions for unexpected challenges.
- Tools to monitor spending and stick to your financial plan.
- Advice for living on the construction site while building.
We built this course to help you with:
- Identifying commonly overlooked expenses.
- Planning efficient task sequencing to save time and money.
- Embracing the challenge and becoming more confident.
And of course there’s the bigger picture of:
- How budget-conscious builds can positively impact the environment and promote resource efficiency.
- How the process of constructing your own home can lead to personal growth and build resilience.
- How natural building and self-sufficiency are part of a larger movement to become less dependent on large outside entities we cannot control.
What's inside Build Outside the Box's Building on a Budget:
MODULE 1
DIY & Save $: An Owner/Builder Case Study
with Sigi Koko of Build Naturally
A case study of an owner-built natural home constructed for just over half of what it would have cost to have a professional builder do it.
The owner/builders met their budget by using lots of salvage & locally harvested materials, sculpting interior walls with clay, doing the bulk of the natural building with workshops, plus lots of sweat equity!
MODULE 2
Energy Efficient Design
with Verena Maeder of the Earth Building School
What if the design of your building (and the materials you choose) meant that it cost just a fraction to heat and cool?
Master earth builder Verena guides you through the basics of passive solar design and how to make thermal efficiency a priority.
MODULE 3
Building with Salvaged Materials
with Goldie Mariola-Gill
Goldie built her house using 75% salvaged materials. In this inspirational class she shares tons of insights and advice on sourcing and building with salvaged materials.
From wood and glass to stone and cabinets, she committed to saving perfectly good building materials from going into the landfill and used them to build a beautiful, energy-efficient home.
MODULE 4
Designing for Small
with Joel Haggar of Domegaia
Aircrete construction and minimalist living are a perfect fit. Joel shares his best advice for creating a floor plan that is hyper-efficient but also comfortable and uncluttered.
With the standard 16’ diameter dome providing 200+ square feet of living space, residents become inspired to streamline their possessions and simplify their lifestyles.
MODULE 5
Finding Dirt Cheap Land
with Dr. Rachel Goldlust of Natural Building Australia
How do you balance your needs and wants for the right piece of land with finding something you can afford? What if you are cash-strapped and need something cheap?
Rachel helps you identify your priorities and takes you through some of the most important considerations for finding one that fits your lifestyle and your budget.
MODULE 6
Financing Your Project
with Tara Blain Hunt
Tara Hunt, off-grid real estate builder and investor with over 25 years of field experience shares tips and insights on how to creatively finance your project.
Understand the key steps involved in creating your project budget, identifying potential funding sources, and avoiding pitfalls to effectively manage your project finances to complete your natural/alternative build dream.