The construction of a country house is a multi-stage process that involves the coordinated work of craftsmen from various disciplines, from architects to finishing craftsmen. The final result depends on the quality of each stage of work and the selected materials. But the question often arises: how to build a house cheaply and quickly yourself, and is this possible?

Contrary to popular belief, building a country house can cost a small amount of money. To do this, it is enough to competently approach each of the stages of construction, reducing its cost without losing quality. Let's try to figure out how to build a house cheaply, what you can save on, and what you absolutely cannot, in our article.

Each element of a country house can be reduced in price Source coolhouses.ru

Savings start with project creation

As a rule, ready-made projects have complex layouts and are expensive to implement. The final result looks good in the picture, but they do not solve the main problem: how to build a house yourself cheaply, because many additional architectural structures will cost a considerable amount of money.

Affordable architectural projects are characterized by:

  • A simple rectangular shape without protrusions, bay windows and other expensive elements.
  • One floor. The absence of expensive floors and stairs will reduce the final cost of the home.
  • Shallow foundation - a concrete structure dug under the base of the house. Installation of this type of foundation does not require extensive preparatory work, so it will cost a reasonable price.
  • Standard roof shape with two slopes. Complex structures with round roof windows and multiple slopes increase construction costs.

The simpler the box at home, the more reliable and cheaper it is Source kz-news.info

    Traditional window shape. As a rule, rectangular double-hung windows are much less expensive than any custom modifications.

    Laconic interior decoration. The most budget-friendly and functional construction option is a Scandinavian-style house with a minimum of intricate decorative elements.

    Easy to implement exterior decoration. For example, finishing a façade with plaster is a durable and aesthetic method of decoration that does not require lengthy and expensive construction work.

Which foundation is more economical?

The type and depth of the foundation are determined by the final weight of the house, the quality of the soil, and the proximity of the reservoir. Foundation costs account for an average of 40% of the cost of all work. It is generally accepted that it is impossible to save on the foundation and it is really stupid to dispute this statement. But, nevertheless, there are ways to build a house inexpensively, without losing quality, and saving on the foundation. True, in this case you need to know exactly what kind of soil is on the site, and for this you will have to order geological exploration. Based on its results, the following options can be considered:

    If most often for country houses a strip foundation is used, laid to the depth of soil freezing, then in some cases you can get by with its shallow variety. As a rule, such a structure “sits” 0.5-0.7 meters into the ground, which significantly reduces the amount of concrete required for pouring.

Traditional strip foundation for suburban construction Source sazhaemvsadu.ru

    Also, in addition to the characteristics of the soil, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the future house and the topography of the site. If the design allows you to install the house on a pile foundation, then this will significantly reduce the burden on the budget.

    A compromise option is a pile-grillage foundation. The technologies for laying shallow and pile foundations are combined here. First, a shallow foundation is dug, and then holes are dug or drilled at support points to the depth of freezing of the soil. After installing the formwork, everything is poured together with concrete and the result is a shallow foundation, which with support pillars stands below the freezing point of the soil.

    In some cases, it is possible not to pour the foundation, but to lay it out of ready-made reinforced concrete slabs.

    Additional savings may include not ordering concrete from a factory, but it must be taken into account that preparing it yourself in a concrete mixer will take an order of magnitude more time and effort. As a result, everyone must decide for themselves what is more important - time or money.

We must always remember that all methods of saving on the foundation must be carefully calculated and approved by specialists. Otherwise, there is a risk of confirming the proverb about the miser who pays twice.

Pile and pile-grillage foundations Source assz.ru

Choosing materials for walls - which is cheaper and better

The largest amount of building material is spent on the construction of walls, so you should carefully choose what is cheaper to build a house from.

    A brick house is the most durable, reliable construction option. Properly made buildings made of this material last for hundreds of years, without requiring any repairs or maintenance of the facades. The brick wall is environmentally friendly, creates good air exchange and is not susceptible to moisture, fire and temperature changes. The main disadvantage of brick is its heavy weight, which requires the construction of a strong and expensive foundation. The next feature of a brick structure is the need for careful thermal insulation of the house, especially in harsh northern climatic conditions.

    Modern wooden dwellings are made from laminated veneer lumber, which consists of small dried blocks glued together. This material provides good thermal insulation, is quick to install, and also creates a favorable indoor microclimate. The disadvantage of the material is its susceptibility to moisture and fire. Therefore, it is necessary to thoughtfully design electrical and heating systems. In addition, after several years of operation, walls made of laminated veneer lumber may require additional impregnation with antiseptic compounds.

House made of laminated veneer lumber with two floors and a small terrace Source market.sakh.com

    Frame houses are structures assembled from ready-made insulated blocks. Construction takes a minimum amount of time, but at the same time requires significant financial costs. The main advantage of the technology is the absence of shrinkage of the finished structure, so finishing work is carried out immediately after the walls are erected. The disadvantage of constructing a frame is the complexity of the technological process. Thus, it is necessary to pay for the services of qualified builders in order to ultimately obtain a reliable structure. When building a spacious house, it is also necessary to design an air exchange system, since the artificial materials of the blocks do not allow air to pass through well.

Classic frame house - strict and original architecture Source chrome-effect.ru

    A building made of aerated concrete blocks weighs significantly less than a brick one, while its thermal insulation properties are similar. The porous material allows air to pass through well, provides sound insulation, is easy to install, and does not shrink. Thus, budget houses made of aerated blocks are built quite quickly, a good microclimate is formed inside the premises, and no additional ventilation is required. On the other hand, the blocks also allow water to pass through well, so high-quality waterproofing is the main condition for a durable aerated concrete structure. For durable construction, it is also necessary to select a qualified work team to build the house in compliance with the technology of fastening and waterproofing the blocks. Otherwise, the structure may be easily blown out or have a high level of humidity.

Video description

Visually about the pros and cons of aerated concrete in the video:

Comparison of prices per square meter of construction from different materials

Pricing when building a house depends not only on the selected materials, but also on the condition of the soil, the necessary costs for providing thermal insulation, as well as the skill level of the team that is engaged in the construction of the building.

For example, the construction of a brick building will cost an average of 2,300 rubles per square meter, but this does not take into account the costs of thermal insulation and the construction of a reliable foundation.

Houses made of laminated veneer lumber will cost 1,900 rubles per meter of finished structure, and the quality of the wood and communications is of decisive importance.

The most affordable option is frame houses, the cost of which is 875 rubles per meter of finished housing. But if there is no desire or opportunity to build a house yourself, then you will need to hire a qualified team of builders, whose services are quite expensive.

Buildings made of aerated concrete will cost customers 2,000 rubles per square meter, and it is necessary to use special adhesives to create a durable structure that is resistant to moisture. Also, the porous material of aerated blocks requires careful waterproofing.

Pricing depends on many factors Source makemone.ru

Budget options for building a roof

The most affordable option is a gable roof without wide gables and additional decorative elements. The structure is installed on wooden beams and supplemented with metal rods (reinforcement) for strengthening. On the basis of an insulated roof, full-fledged attics or attic spaces are constructed.

Slate, metal tiles or corrugated sheets are used to cover the outer surface of the roof. The latter material is the best option for roofing due to its low cost, lightness and strength. The only drawback of corrugated sheeting is the need for thorough sound insulation in order to protect the residents of the house from the noise of rain and similar sounds. Classic slate is expensive to operate and not an environmentally friendly material; in addition, it requires lengthy installation. Aesthetic, durable metal tiles are a good option for creating a roof, but such material will require significant financial investments from the owners.

A simple roof design is the key to saving money on construction Source pinterest.com

Is it worth saving on a vapor-permeable membrane?

Many owners are thinking about reducing their construction budget. The desire to save money is reasonable, and the calculation is obvious: you can purchase middle-class materials, since a roof made of corrugated sheets, slate or metal tiles will reliably protect the interior space. The truth is that high-quality materials are the key to the reliability of the design, and the result of such a strategy is unplanned expenses.

For example, to ensure the economic benefits of using a high-quality membrane, it is enough to conduct a comparative analysis using the example of a house with a classic pitched roof with an area of ​​150 m2. For such an area you will need 3 rolls of hydro-windproof membrane. The cost of material from various manufacturers will be:

Tyvek® Soft,
DuPont™, Luxembourg		 Izospan AM (“Gexa”),
Russia		 DELTA ROOF,
Germany		 Yutafol N110 (JUTA),
Czech
Price/roll, per roll 7000 rub.,
75 m2		 From 2700 rub.,
70 m2		 From 7000 rub.,
75 m2		 From 3800 rub., 75 m2
Total price 21000 rub. 10500 rub. From 21,000 rub. From 11,400 rub.

Source iclub.in.ua

If we take into account only the financial side of the issue, then the choice is obvious. But the primary task of the diffusion membrane is to preserve the properties of the insulation and under-roof structures. The vapor permeability of non-woven fabric (the ability to release steam in a timely manner) not only protects the underlying layers. It directly affects the likelihood that major repairs to the roof structure will have to be made within the first ten years.

Analysis of the two tables shows that the materials have different price/permeability ratios, respectively: 12-13.1-50.6-12.7. The lower the coefficient, the less likely it is to carry out major repairs in the first 5-10 years of roof operation (in the worst cases, the probability increases to 60-79%.).

Based on the totality of their characteristics, the highest quality products considered were Tyvek and Yutafol. In addition, Tyvek® membranes from DuPont, which meet all the requirements of SNIP and SP, are the only ones that have a manufacturer’s warranty for 10 years, which means they will not cause repairs during this period.

Source happymodern.ru

Dismantling the vapor barrier can be done in two ways. The first, the most financially intensive, is the replacement of the outside of the roof of the house (in fact, a complete overhaul); it includes:

    Removal of roofing. From 100 rub./m2 (depending on the material).

    Dismantling the insulation. From 45 rub./m2.

    Replacing a damaged membrane. From 50 rub./m2.

    Garbage removal. 1.5 t - from 2800 rub.

    Installation of new insulation. From 60 rub./m2.

    Installation of new roofing material. Slate - from 180 rub./m2, soft tiles - from 380 rub./m2.

The cost of the work will be comparable to twice the cost of a new roof; In most cases, it is easier to tear down the old roofing pie and replace the entire roof.

The cost of replacing the diffusion membrane using the second method, from inside the house, consists of the following operations:

    Removing the ceiling trim(attic, attic, etc.). Wallpaper, plaster - from 70 rub./m2.

    Dismantling of floors. From 450 rub./m2.

    Replacing the membrane itself. From 50 rub./m2.

    Garbage removal. From 360 rub./m3.

    Installation of new floors and partitions. From 270 rub./m2.

    Installation and finishing of new interior trim(ceiling repair). From 250 rub./m2.

Source econet.ua

This option is less expensive, but in this case the new membrane will not be installed using the same technology. Violation of SNIP and SP standards means improper operation, and, as a result, another repair ahead of schedule. As a result, short-term savings of a maximum of 10 thousand rubles. the difference in prices of different membranes will result in significant financial expenses and loss of time. Thus, purchasing quality materials allows you not only to protect your home, but also to avoid unplanned expenses.

Construction of internal partitions

The construction of a budget home involves the use of thin plasterboard partitions, as well as soundproofing materials. Such walls are quickly installed, look aesthetically pleasing, but do not provide additional strength to the structure.

For owners of plots with silty soil near water bodies or in hilly areas, it is recommended to build internal load-bearing walls. Thus, the structure will be more stable and, when choosing a buried foundation, will not succumb to adverse influences (for example, soil displacement).

Internal partitions made of any materials can be easily strengthened using metal profiles installed in places with the greatest load on the walls.

Video description

Experience shows that there are moments in the construction of a house where it is absolutely not worth saving, but there are nuances where you can not only save, but rationally spend the budget (which is a kind of reasonable saving).

Window options

The most budget-friendly and durable option is metal-plastic windows. Ready-made or made to order, such structures can be of any size and modification, are perfectly adapted to harsh climatic conditions, and look aesthetically pleasing. The main advantage of PVC windows is ease of installation and maintenance. Unlike expensive wooden windows, metal-plastic windows do not require periodic restoration and are less susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. Modern designs are equipped with several tilt-and-turn structures to provide ongoing ventilation.

Classic double-glazed windows in a country house - reliable and inexpensive Source okna-odintsovo.ru

Will it be possible to save on utilities?

Contrary to popular belief, even the cheapest house functions well if its utilities work properly. On the other hand, budget options for installing electrical and water supply networks lead to additional costs in the future. For example, cheap wires, as well as junction boxes with poor insulation coating in a wooden house can lead to a fire and the need to restore the entire structure. Plumbing systems installed without compliance with the technology can be destroyed under the influence of harsh weather conditions, which will affect not only the comfort of the owners, but also future repair costs.

Installation of utilities is the basis of a comfortable life in a country house, so the opportunity to save on this aspect should be confirmed by careful calculations. This stage of work should be entrusted only to professionals in order to avoid unnecessary costs, as well as unpleasant situations during operation.

Interior decoration

A good way to save money is to choose a laconic, simple interior decoration of a country house. A wide variety of finishing materials will allow you to create cozy rooms at minimal cost. To save money, it is recommended to choose a laconic interior style with a minimum number of decorative elements.

A laconic interior means a minimum cost of finishing materials Source pinterest.com

Popular furniture made from natural materials looks aesthetically pleasing, but is more expensive than composite materials and also requires careful care.

Tips for saving on building a house: what you can and cannot save on

When thinking about how to save on building a house, you should not forget about the guarantee of its quality. Professional supervision of a technical engineer over the construction process is a guarantee of compliance with the technology of all work, so you should not skimp on these procedures.

Attractive finished projects of country houses are a beautiful picture, which can turn into impractical, expensive housing to operate. It is recommended to save on external decorative elements and order a house project with simple and clear architecture.

The foundation and communications are the “skeleton” of a durable home in which you will live comfortably, so it is worth spending the maximum amount of money on these aspects in order to use the services of professionals with many years of experience.

Finishing materials and additional lighting inside the house are more decorative than functional elements. Therefore, it is possible to reduce costs to a minimum using the principle of sufficiency.

Video description

Is it worth ordering technical supervision for construction? This question interests almost everyone who builds a house, makes repairs, etc. Today we will look at how to control a construction company? What should you pay attention to? Where can I find independent technical supervision and what is the essence of this service? Let’s also consider how much technical supervision will cost you and what are the advantages of this service?

Conclusion

Construction of a country house for permanent residence requires a consistent, thoughtful approach to all aspects of construction. In general, the answer to the question of how to build a house inexpensively, and which house is cheaper to build, will be the competent allocation of the budget and the use of the services of professionals, where possible, to select materials and carry out work. We must always remember that illiterate savings here and now often manifest themselves in a negative way during the further use of the house.

Building a house yourself is a complex process; you need to know the nuances of construction and, most importantly, how to save money and where not to make mistakes so that you don’t have to redo it. It is possible to build an inexpensive house with your own hands if you choose the right materials, suitable construction technology and correctly calculate the budget.

Where does saving begin?

Of course, from the choice of project. Setting out to get by with minimal costs, there is no point in going for a multi-storey mansion, especially if the developer does not have the necessary skills. So, here are the savings options:

  1. Simplicity of the project. The fewer complex architectural forms, the easier it is to fit into the budget.
  2. Minimum square meters. A reasonable area for one person is 11 m2, let’s add sanitary areas, common rooms and here we have a practical house project that can be built without much experience.
  3. Regardless of the complexity of the soil, choose only suitable building materials. You cannot save money here, as in the case of obtaining permits, as well as hiring specialists for work that is beyond your capabilities. Lightweight building materials will allow you to get by with a simplified foundation and build a house with your own hands, without involving additional forces.
  4. Substandard formwork is a direct savings, but there is no need to cut costs on the brand of cement - the material must be of high quality, otherwise the structure will collapse without even lasting its intended service life.
  5. The earthwork of digging trenches requires only physical strength, so make the correct depth according to the mass of the building. This will help avoid severe shrinkage, and therefore minimize the risk of cracks. Even the cheapest house will warp and require significant investments in repairs, if the foundation is poorly built, it’s worth remembering.

The most popular materials for construction: regular brick, timber, aerated block elements. A preliminary cost calculation will allow you to find out how much it costs to build a house with your own hands. This means that drawing up an estimate cannot be avoided. As for technology, you cannot find a more economical frame option. Despite the fact that the built house will cost less, the efficiency of construction is also great.

Options for technologies and materials: pros and cons of choice

Let's start by looking at the technologies that are best suited to build a home inexpensively.

Frame type

Construction takes from several weeks to months. Finished buildings are practical, stable, and not susceptible to deformation. The standard service life of buildings is 75 years, while frame houses can be easily faced with any materials. There are two types of technology:

  • Frame-panel. Here you can do all the processes yourself if you select insulation, waterproofing material, make a frame from wood and cover it with panels. A significant reduction in construction speed is justified by the separate installation of each element.
  • Frame-panel. A slightly more expensive option, but with less labor and greater reliability. You can assemble your house from ready-made industrial panels. The material is supplied completely ready for assembly and only requires proper installation.

The advantages of the method are the following indicators:

  1. Economical. It turns out to be a very cheap house, built with your own hands.
  2. Light weight of the structure, and this is a lightweight foundation.
  3. Fast construction times.

Important! This technology is beneficial only when the building length is no more than 20 m and the number of floors is no more than 3.

  1. High energy saving rates. Such houses heat up quickly, but take a long time to cool down due to walls made of low thermal conductivity materials. In this case, the thickness of the load-bearing wall can be no more than 20-25 cm.
  2. High thermal efficiency means reduced heating costs.
  3. Complete absence of shrinkage. Walls are not susceptible to deformation.

Disadvantages of technology:

  • Construction experience is important. At least minimal, but you can see how to perform all the processes yourself, a video from professionals will tell you all the steps, read the information and consult with specialists. And then you can start building a house with your own hands, which will be cheap and practical.
  • Wood requires impregnation to protect it from fires, bugs, water and other factors.

It’s a good idea to provide ventilation, especially if it’s a multi-story building.

The best materials for the frame are:

  1. Wood. Although a protective impregnation will be required, the wood is breathable and lightweight.
  2. Metal. A lightweight thermal profile for private construction is an ideal option. There is no fire hazard, light weight, no bioprotection is required, but it is important to monitor the corrosion resistance indicators.

Decide for yourself what to quickly build an inexpensive house from, however, when giving preference to wood, remember that metal profiles last much longer. But a slab, shallow strip, or pile foundation is suitable.

Brick house

Considered one of the most popular materials, it is still worth paying attention to the fact that brick is far from an option for those who want to build a structure quickly and inexpensively. Wall panels need to be made thick, laying out piece material takes a huge amount of time, plus a mixture for fastening the elements, mandatory shrinkage. And, of course, the weight of the structure is a heavy house, which will require a very good solid foundation. You won’t be able to save money here at all, since you will have to go deep to the freezing point.

The advantages of technology and material are the strength and durability of the house. The benefits of construction are visible if:

  1. The house is built to last;
  2. The correct site with the required soil parameters and aquifer height has been selected;
  3. The developer has good experience and can carry out many processes independently;
  4. There is time for long construction.

Block construction

If you want to know how to build a house inexpensively, give preference to gas blocks. The elements have a huge variety of shapes and sizes, the technology is simple and therefore making a house is not difficult. It is worth considering such advantages as:

  1. Reduced wall thickness without loss of energy-saving qualities;
  2. Lightness of weight, which means lightening the weight of the structure and saving on the foundation;
  3. Excellent sound insulation;
  4. Practicality and durability.

Important! Particular attention will have to be paid to finishing materials; a house made of aerated blocks must be carefully waterproofed.

And a little more about the advantages: such houses almost do not shrink, the solution consumption is reduced by almost 3 times, but you will have to buy special glue. But the construction time for the building is minimal.

Timber for home

The cost of houses made of timber is one of the most affordable, and it is more profitable than brick or aerated concrete construction. We add here that a house made of timber is very warm, if the technology is followed, it will last a long time and be durable, the benefits are visible to the naked eye.

Usually, for construction, they take 20 cm thick timber, add at least 10 cm thick insulation and cover it with 2-3 cm thick plaster. In total, the result is a house of excellent aesthetic and practical qualities that will last for decades.

The advantages of the material and technology are the following factors:

  1. Economy;
  2. The ability to do all the work yourself;
  3. Efficiency of construction;
  4. Good thermal insulation properties;
  5. Light weight of the structure.

When choosing how to build a house with your own hands without unnecessary investments, consider timber as an alternative to brick and block materials. But you will have to first study the subtleties and nuances of the layout in order to make the house yourself without the need for alterations and repairs in the future.

When choosing how to quickly build a building and what will make the house cheaper, you need to pay attention to the features of the project, the soil, and the conditions of the construction site. And don't forget that hiring a work crew can be the most expensive part of the work.

Cheap and cheerful: how to build a house quickly, where to start and how to finish

Initially, you need to determine the order of construction work, it will look something like this:

  • Construction of the foundation;
  • Construction of the box;
  • Wiring of necessary communications and systems;
  • Laying floors;
  • Installation of the roof (here you will have to work only in the warm season or at least 24 hours).

When determining how much it costs to build a house, it is most economical to lighten the foundation. But only if a lightweight building material is chosen, as discussed above. For example, a strip shallow foundation or a pile or slab foundation is a direct financial saving. In any case, the depth is not less than 0.5 meters. After arrangement, the base is waterproofed, then the creation of the box of the future house begins.

The amount of material required for the construction of walls is also calculated in advance using simple formulas: the total area of ​​the building in m3 is divided by the amount of piece material in 1 m3. The total is the quantity, for example, of bricks that will have to be purchased. The material cannot be called economical, but such products for construction as:

  • Beam;
  • Foam concrete;
  • Shellweed;
  • Aerated concrete;
  • Adobe.

They cost less. Unlike other materials, foam concrete has good vapor permeability, which reduces the cost of thermal insulation, but requires waterproofing.

Old proven materials are also suitable as insulation:

  • Minvata;
  • Glass wool.

It is very good to place the layer on the outside so that the dew point is outside the house. This will avoid the formation of condensation inside residential premises, and, by covering the walls with finishing, hide the flaws in the insulation laying. There is no point in saving on the number of sheets - the more thoroughly the house is insulated, the lower the heating costs will be. At the same time, the service life of the structure will increase, which means that repairs and renovations will not be required in the near future.

As for internal partitions, cheap plasterboard is not always suitable: strong load-bearing structures should be located in places of greatest load. You can use a metal profile to strengthen the wall: fix it and cover it with plasterboard, the costs are minimal.

A gas boiler or even a stove with a water circuit is suitable for heating. Of course, a stove is a hassle, but it’s cheaper than a gas boiler. Alternative options for using solar panels are a good option, but only if the region has enough sunny days.

Water supply and sewerage Autonomous ones are the cheapest. Drilling a well, provided all the necessary conditions are present, is a simple matter, but water will flow into the house constantly, regardless of the supply of centralized networks. Sewerage in the form of a septic tank requires one-time correct selection and installation. After this, you can forget about clogged pipes and other troubles for a long time.

It’s also a good idea to do the roof and ceilings yourself. Use wooden beams, while securing the armored belt around the entire perimeter, but for the roof it is cheaper:

  • Odnulin;
  • Slate;
  • Metal tiles;
  • Profiled sheeting.

The costs are low, the required material is sold in all shapes and colors. To ensure that the roof remains firmly in place, assemble the grille and additionally insulate the entire structure in order to avoid heat loss.

The floors can be made of concrete; for this, a screed is installed and filled with mortar. After enough insulation and final finishing. Of course, everything depends only on the design of your house, but it is recommended to pre-strengthen the floors if there will be a concrete floor screed on the second floor.

As for the interior decoration, you can completely rely on your imagination. The main thing is that the arrangement of the interior space should not be more expensive than the construction of the entire building. And remember, any material made with chemical fillers is much cheaper than natural material, but its use is not always indicated, so you should not skimp on your health. However, many products have only a small amount of “chemistry”, which allows you to safely choose insulation or waterproofing sheets made using the latest technologies.

So, if you decide to build a house with your own hands, it’s quite simple, just first calculate how much this or that material costs, draw up a clear plan and choose the time.

Without the financial resources to attract professional builders, you can, armed with special literature and patience, build a house yourself. In practice, this requires effort, but can save up to half the construction cost.

Many self-builders invite others to view their projects and provide detailed reports, accompanying the process of building a house with detailed photographs.

Features of the house layout

Through the efforts of two men, a cheap house for permanent residence with an attached garage was built. Initially, the project did not include a garage and was added after the house was completed.



In general, the project changed as the discussion progressed on the advice of other builders and the requests of the wife. The original layout of the house included 6 rooms on two floors.



During construction, it was decided to equip two bathrooms, while on the ground floor the toilet and bathtub should be separate. The area of ​​the living room and the location of the stairs have also changed. Compared to the initial project, the living room was too narrow and elongated. The stairs were also planned to be awkward and steep. After the changes, these shortcomings were eliminated.



The cost of building a house with your own hands

In May 2010, the father of a small family planned to build a cheap house with his own hands for the amount of 300 thousand rubles. This amount included costs not only for materials, but also for connecting gas and electricity. According to the estimate, the following expenses were incurred:

  1. Concrete - 20,700.
  2. Edged and unedged timber - 70,000.
  3. Foam plastic - 31,200.
  4. Plywood - 8023.
  5. Metal profile - 16,200.
  6. Siding - 22,052.
  7. Used windows - 4000.
  8. Nails, screws, etc. - 15,000.
  9. Delivery of material and excavator services - 5200.
  10. Septic tank - 10,000.
  11. Plumbing, radiators - 35,660.
  12. GKL and finishing costs - 21280.
  13. Design and installation of a gas pipeline, connection fee - 37,000.
  14. Gas equipment (stove, boiler) - 29,000.
  15. Electrical connection with materials - 3000.
  16. Water supply connection - 2000.

According to the builder himself, the estimate lacks a number of small items. However, this also requires additional costs. It should also be noted that some of the windows were received from friends and did not require financial expenses. In total, 327,315 rubles were spent on the construction of the house without any small details. This amount does not include the attached garage. It was added later according to a separate estimate. Additionally, the construction of the garage required an amount of about 34,000 rubles. Taking into account unspecified expenses, the house cost no more than 400 thousand rubles.

Installation of a shallow strip foundation

The foundation is pre-planned with a width of 35 cm and a height above the ground of 25 cm and 20 cm below the ground. A die-cut section of 2.5x100 mm was chosen as a reinforcing element. The reinforcement of the tape was planned in 2 layers, top and bottom, with three connected sheets of die-cutting in each.

On the advice of experienced builders, vertical elements were added, and the number of sheets to be connected was increased to 5 pieces. Additionally, the height of the foundation above the ground increased and amounted to 45 cm.

reinforcement with die-cutting - you can’t do that!

After the foundation was poured into concrete, 20 anchor bolts were installed to install the lower frame.



Construction of the first floor

Before installing the walls of the first floor, the platform was installed and insulated and pipes for the sewerage system were laid. The bottom of the platform is left open, the insulation is fixed by means of fixed cuttings of boards. 3 layers of foam plastic, 15 cm thick, were used as platform insulation. The subfloor is made of 150x50 mm boards.



The walls were installed in a horizontal position. Foam plastic and 8 mm plywood protection are laid between the racks, and windows are also installed. The windows in the project were used second-hand. Installation of the assembled wall into a vertical position was carried out by two men. It was decided to abandon the installation of jibs in the construction of the walls. The builder assumed that the frame would be sufficiently rigid due to the plywood sheathing.




After assembling the walls of the first floor, the installation of internal partitions was carried out. Polystyrene foam was also used as insulation.




The principle of assembling the second floor

After installing the frame, a temporary floor from unedged boards was partially laid and the walls were assembled horizontally and installed vertically. Second-floor windows were also used.




To increase sound insulation in the interfloor ceiling, non-woven cloth was laid on the floor joists under the boards. This allows you to partially dampen vibration from steps.



Installation of rafters and roofing

Upon completion of the assembly of the walls of the attic floor, the rafter system was installed. The rafter overhangs were not extended. An inch board was used as lathing. The roof was covered with corrugated sheets 4 m long.




Exterior decoration of the building

Siding was used for the exterior of the building. It was mounted with a ventilation gap of 25 mm. Also at the stage of exterior finishing, a vestibule was added. The foundation for the vestibule was not installed; the structure was installed on pieces of concrete laid on the ground and sidewalk curbs.



Features of the staircase and its installation

The location of the staircase in the project caused a lot of controversy. Initially, its location suggested excessive emphasis on the attic ceiling. After changing the location and design of the staircase, it was made without a platform with slight turns.

The staircase is made of boards 50x150 mm, the width of the steps is 30 cm. The staircase was installed after the rough finishing of the first floor. Under the upper span there is space left for installing a toilet there. According to personal feelings, the staircase turned out to be comfortable and compact.




Interior decoration of the house

Before the finishing of the premises began, insulation of the interfloor ceiling and flooring of the second floor were completed. To increase the level of sound insulation, felt is nailed between the joists and floor boards. After this, rough finishing of the interior of both floors of the cheap house was completed.

The rough finishing included three points:

  1. Installation of fiberboard as a wind barrier.
  2. GVL installation.
  3. Puttying joints and chips of GVL.

In the finishing process, water-based paint was predominantly used. The living room, kitchen and bedrooms are painted in different colors. The floors in the rooms are covered with linoleum, the ceilings are decorated with expanded polystyrene tiles.



Thoughts about a country or private house probably visit every person. For some, this remains a dream, while others take action. Building a house is a serious step that requires solving many issues both before the start of work and during construction. To cheaply build a house that meets all the requirements, it is necessary to study each stage of construction and identify opportunities for cost savings.

Comfortable living for little money – what’s the most important thing?

Site selection is one of the important stages. Its cost, comfort and much more depend on where the house will be located. For a city dweller, it is important that the place of residence is located in an environmentally friendly place, surrounded by green spaces. A big plus will be the presence of a reservoir. These conditions are important for health and aesthetic pleasure. Infrastructure and communications are important for a comfortable stay. The price of a house includes not only the costs of its construction, but also further maintenance during operation. This implies the importance of the availability of transport, the proximity of central communications to which you can connect.

The cost of construction is greatly influenced by the terrain and geographical conditions. If the area is uneven, you may have to invest additional money to level it. This also applies to flooded areas, which may require reclamation and drainage work. If groundwater is located close to the surface of the earth, you will have to either abandon the basement or do additional waterproofing. The relief also affects the laying of communications.

In order to spend as little money as possible on building a house, you need a dry and level area.

As for the actual construction of the house, its cost is influenced by the following factors:

  • layout and size of the home;
  • foundation (depth, material, type);
  • material for floors, walls, roofs and other elements;
  • Decoration Materials;
  • installation of doors and windows;
  • insulation;
  • communication systems (water supply, sewerage, gas, heating, electrical network).

We begin construction by creating a project. It is at this stage that we calculate the preliminary estimate.

The influence of size and layout on the cost of a house

Choosing the optimal size and a good layout will allow you to build a house inexpensively. It is better to entrust the project to specialists in order to correctly calculate the loads and carry out a cost-effective layout. When developing a project, you should consider how many people will live in it. When designing, you should strive to ensure that the external dimensions of the house are close to square. Thus, with the same area, the perimeter of the walls will be minimal, which means the length of the walls and, accordingly, the foundation will be minimal. This will make it possible to save on building materials.

When choosing a layout, you need to choose a functional option that is convenient for living. Residential and utility rooms should be compactly located in the smallest possible area. The possibility of future redevelopment with minimal losses should also be taken into account. Therefore, internal walls should not be load-bearing or their number should be minimal.

The most economical option for number of storeys is to build a one-story house. You can build a one-story house with your own hands, without resorting to hired force. When constructing a multi-story building, you have to incur additional costs for interfloor ceilings, stairs, and a large number of windows. It is necessary to allocate space for stairs, which reduces the usable area. If you build an attic, you save money on building walls, but increase the cost of installing a roof.

To build a budget house with your own hands, it is better to choose a simple roof design, for example, a gable roof. To save material, the elevation angle should be made small, then less wood will be used for the roofing and its area will be reduced. When choosing a roof of complex design, you will have to spend money on valleys, corners, hatches, attic windows and various tin elements - such a roof will increase the cost of construction by 40%.

The cheapest roof coverings:

  • ondulin;
  • metal tiles:
  • slate;
  • soft roofing materials;
  • corrugated sheeting

From natural materials you can use straw, reeds, wood. Any roof requires insulation, hydro- and vapor barriers.

How to save on a foundation and have a solid foundation

Up to 30% of the total cost is spent on the foundation. This depends on the depth of the foundation being laid and the materials used. On the one hand, I want to save on the foundation and make it lighter. But it is the foundation of the house and the future operation of the structure depends on it. If the foundation does not meet the load, then uneven shrinkage is possible, cracks may appear on the walls and ceilings, and all this threatens destruction.

If you are planning a basement, then you will not be able to save money on the base, since you will have to make a recessed strip version, which requires a lot of material. When choosing a foundation, you should take into account the characteristics of the soil, wall material, number of storeys, and the future weight of the building with communications and furniture. Cost-effective options include the following:

  • shallow-recessed;
  • not buried;
  • pile;
  • columnar;
  • columnar grillage.

These types of foundations make it possible to save on materials and labor. If the soil is sandy, clayey or rocky, and there is no water when deepening a meter, then you can build a strip foundation with a depth of about 70-80 cm. If there is water, the depth should exceed a meter. When laying the base, you can save money by preparing the concrete solution yourself. To do this you will need gravel, crushed stone and sand and cement of the required grade. The solution can be mixed manually in a trough or on a metal sheet. Better quality concrete will be obtained by using a concrete mixer, which can be rented.

The width of the foundation is made according to the thickness of the walls. In order for it to last a long time, it should be reinforced and also waterproofed, which will prevent moisture from entering and extend its service life. For waterproofing, you can take the cheapest material - roofing felt. Before laying walls, you need to wait for the foundation to stand and gain strength. It should take at least a month.

What to choose for the walls - timber, logs or shell rock?

The choice of wall material is influenced by local conditions. In a wooded area there is cheap wood. If there are deposits of natural stone nearby, it is cheaper to build from it. This also applies to manufacturing plants - the closer they are, the cheaper the delivery, etc. When choosing wall material, consider the following factors:

  • climatic conditions;
  • price;
  • ease of delivery;
  • simplicity and speed of construction;
  • need for additional equipment.

When choosing what is cheaper to build a house from, study the thermal insulation qualities of the material. For severe winters, good insulation may be required, which in turn will increase the cost of construction. In this case, sometimes it will be cheaper to buy a more expensive material with a high level of thermal insulation than to incur expenses for insulation. When choosing wooden walls, you need to decide on their design. They can be solid from timber or logs or framed with insulation inside. Building a cheap house with your own hands from timber or timber is quite difficult. To do this, you need to have knowledge and experience in laying logs. It makes sense to build a solid wooden house where wood is cheap.

A more economical option is a frame or frame-panel house. Such houses have become widespread in Canada and the USA. They are lightweight, so you can use inexpensive foundation options for them: pile, shallow or columnar.

Thanks to the insulation, which is placed in the internal space of the frame walls, houses are obtained with good thermal insulation, which makes it possible to save on heating costs. Frame buildings are erected very quickly. For the frame, boards or timber are used, followed by cladding. If the frame option is frightening due to its unreliability, you can build a house from artificial or natural stone materials. But you need to remember that thermal insulation of such a house is possible in three options:

  1. 1. Make the walls thick enough, but this is not cheap.
  2. 2. Insulate the walls with heat insulator.
  3. 3. Use modern building materials with a porous structure: foam concrete, aerated concrete.

The first option turns out to be expensive, since, in addition to the fact that a lot of material is used for the walls, a reliable foundation is needed that will withstand the weight of the stone walls. Which option will be cheaper - made of porous material or stone walls with insulation - must be calculated taking into account the masonry and further external finishing. You can use shell rock for walls. This is a cheap natural material, with it the walls “breathe”. True, door and window openings need to be reinforced with metal corners.

Adobe is one of the cheapest options

One of the cheapest is an adobe house. For the walls, dried blocks consisting of clay and straw are used, which are formed in special shapes. The advantage of an adobe house is that you can make the blocks yourself from inexpensive materials. The speed of construction depends on the size of the blocks. If the element sizes are large, then few blocks will be used. Adobe blocks can be used as insulation in.

Communications – a comfort that can be cheap

Before the floor is installed, it is necessary to lay engineering systems. To build a house cheaply with your own hands, you need to correctly calculate and arrange communication systems:

  • water supply;
  • sewerage;
  • heating.

To save money, it is better to install. The installation of a heated floor will allow you to save on heating costs in the future. To do this, plastic pipes are laid and filled with cement mortar. This way you can heat the whole house. If necessary, a main heating system can be installed. It is important to properly make the ventilation system so that the house is well ventilated to prevent the accumulation of moisture, which can cause the appearance of fungus and mold. Also, there should be no drafts in the house. If you insulate the walls and install the heating and ventilation system correctly, you can build a warm and cozy house.

When installing sewerage and water supply, you need to accurately calculate the amount of material, using the house plan, in order to lay the pipes with maximum benefit. When planning a home, rooms to which sewerage and water supply will need to be connected should be placed close to each other in order to save on pipes. It is better to use plastic pipes. They are easy to install and durable.

If there is a central water supply and sewerage system, this will significantly reduce the cost of installing a water and wastewater system. In their absence, it is necessary to install at least a small septic tank, which can be built from concrete rings or Eurocubes. The cheapest option for obtaining water is in an area with walls made of concrete rings. The second option is more expensive -. Its cost depends on the depth. The owner has the right to choose which water horizon to use. Electricity and gas supply must be done by specialists.

What decoration will make the house beautiful - several options

The cheapest way to finish a facade is siding or decorative plaster. You can cover your home with siding yourself; you do not need to have extensive experience in repair work. There are many color options, which allows you to choose the slats to suit your taste. If you buy high-quality material, then a house finished with siding will last a long time. Using textured plaster, you can choose almost any color of the facade. It is important that the color of the walls of the house is in harmony with the color of the roof. With the right combination of colors, you can ensure that even a small house with a simple shape will look beautiful and attract attention.

Interior finishing includes finishing of walls, ceilings and flooring. After installation of communications, a concrete floor screed should be completed. Choose flooring based on the purpose of the premises. In living rooms it is better to use linoleum or laminate. For rooms with high humidity and in the kitchen, take tiles. It is practical, easy to clean, resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. When installing a heated floor, it will not be so cold.

In order not to spend money on leveling the surface and hiding imperfections, a cheap option would be to install a stretch ceiling made of PVC or fabric. If you take a glossy finish, it will visually expand the space. Matte ceilings do not give reflections and have a deep color. Drywall allows you to create a ceiling of any configuration using halogen light bulbs. You can make a ceiling from plastic panels. A bleached or painted ceiling will be economically beneficial. If you follow the technology, you can make a perfectly smooth white ceiling yourself. To do this, you must first wash, level and prime, and then apply whitewash. A budget-friendly way to update would be to coat it with water-based paint.

To decorate the walls of wooden houses, it is better to use lining; it looks harmonious with wooden structures. When covering with plasterboard, you can save on leveling surfaces and increase sound insulation in living rooms. A cheap way to decorate is painting, but it requires careful preliminary preparation. The cheapest option is wallpapering.

There are more and more people wanting to build their own home. Surely you are one of them, since you visited our site. The desire to cope on your own is commendable. But, nevertheless, we must give advice - specialists are people who have spent several years of their lives learning construction. And it is extremely easy for them to build a house of the required quality in the optimal time frame.

Specialists know all the intricacies of the construction process, rules and sanitary standards, will make sure that problems do not arise in the future, will give the necessary recommendations, and will save time. That's why We do not recommend saving on hiring craftsmen from a successfully proven company in the construction market of your city.

Regardless of who will carry out the construction process, you need to know what tasks will require solving before you start pouring the foundation. Let's talk about this now.

Buying a plot

So, you need to buy the plot on which the house will be built and properly formalize the legal transaction. I think there is no need to say that it should be located close to other existing residential buildings, because utility networks will have to be installed. And “dragging” them from afar is unprofitable.

It is important to correctly correlate your financial capabilities, the size of the plot and the approximate size of the future home. The ratio of the area of ​​the house to the total area of ​​the plot should be 1 to 10.

Remember that an area that is too large is difficult to care for, and a small area will not allow it to “expand” in the future.

However, even before purchasing land, you must hire specialists who will conduct a geological survey of the site and topographic survey of the area. They will take soil and water samples, conduct laboratory soil tests, advise on the type of foundation, and draw up geological sections of the site. All these efforts will be aimed at finding dangerous places that will bring many problems in the future.

Many experts advise conducting geological research precisely at the time of site selection.

Also, before purchasing, you need to collect as much information as possible about the site. Chat with your neighbors. They are the ones who often tell a lot of necessary things. If the plot was already owned before you, cadastral data about it can be obtained from the administration.

Avoid areas:

  • Close to garbage dumps
  • Close to wastewater treatment plants
  • Near the swampy area
  • With the impossibility of access for construction equipment there
  • Located far from social infrastructure

Project

The second step is preparing the project. You need to either download a ready-made one available on the Internet/purchase from a construction company, or contact specialists to develop an individual one together with them.

It is not recommended to design a house yourself, just like designing a house. Due to the lack of necessary experience, you cannot predict all mistakes in advance. And it will be too late to redo something at the moment when the foundation is erected, part of the house is built. Any adjustments made to the project directly at the construction site will inevitably entail an increase in cost and time.

A standard project is convenient in that you can quickly begin construction, bypassing design work.

You must understand that the house is built to suit your living conditions. You must know exactly:

  • How many rooms do you want
  • Will there be a second floor?
  • Number of permanent residents
  • What will be located in the rooms
  • What area should they be made of?
  • What size should the kitchen and living room be?
  • What budget do you have?
  • Will you be able to make additional payments, etc., if necessary?

If, for example, you often invite guests, then it is better to make a spacious living room. If relatives come to you from time to time, then there must be a separate room for them, etc. You must also decide on the construction material, the shape of the house and roof, and the presence of additional buildings in the yard.

After taking into account all the features of your future residence, you need to contact a designer (you still need to find a good specialist). He will take into account all your requirements and wishes, your available budget, develop a project, and also make the necessary adjustments.

Linking the project to the area

If the site research was carried out immediately, all that remains is to carry out the full-size design of the house. This process is aimed at taking into account the influence of climatic factors, determining the most optimal position of the house on the site for comfortable living, and determining the boundaries of your territory.

Construction permit (approval)

Why build a house without coordinating the process with local governments? After all, they can demolish it later. Obtaining a building permit will help you avoid problems.

  1. Get permission to build a house. To do this, prepare a package of necessary documents: a passport, documents confirming that you are the owner of the site, an application to the head of the administration in which you ask to give the go-ahead for construction, a copy of the house plan, a copy of the license of the company that developed the project for you. In each region of the country, the list of documents may differ, so visit your city administration and check all the details.
  2. Receive a site inspection report. To do this, contact the geosurveillance department and provide them with a topographic survey plan, as well as an act of delineating the boundaries of the site and setting out the axes of the building. If you continue the construction of a house abandoned by the previous owner, you must provide documents for the land and a site plan
  3. Prepare a construction passport for the facility. To do this, prepare the necessary documents again: passport, land title, site plan, application for a building permit, a notarized copy of the design company’s license, site survey report
  4. Contact the sanitary-epidemiological and fire inspections in order to agree on the development plan with them. Additionally, the energy and gas schemes must be coordinated with the fire inspectorate
  5. Once permission has been received, you need to contact the architecture committee, submit the agreed plan there and receive a construction passport

Or maybe you are choosing between a frame and timber house? Then it will help you make your choice.

Choosing a construction company

The last stage of preparation for construction is choosing a construction company (if you hire specialists). If you plan to do the construction yourself, then you can skip this point. Building a house with your own hands reduces costs by 15-30 percent. But sometimes it’s better not to skimp on convenience.

Construction of a house

The construction of the house is carried out in five stages:

  1. Excavation
  2. Laying the foundation
  3. Construction of walls and ceilings
  4. Installation of roof truss system
  5. Laying roofing material

Excavation

Excavation work begins with leveling the site and digging a pit for pouring the foundation. Excavators and bulldozers are used for this purpose. The bottom of the pit is cleared manually. It is better to start pouring the foundation immediately after preparing the site. Otherwise, the earth may crumble, fill the bottom of the pit, and you will have to clear it again, wasting time and money.

Pouring the foundation

The site is ready - it’s time to build the foundation. A layer of crushed stone, ten centimeters thick, is poured into the prepared pit, on top of which bitumen is poured. Next, formwork is made, a concrete foundation pad is laid, and reinforcing elements are installed.

Construction of foundation walls

When the concrete has hardened, construction of the foundation walls begins. Concrete blocks can be used for this purpose.

Construction of walls and ceilings

Immediately after laying the foundation, they begin to erect walls and install floors. This process is labor-intensive and we will look at it in a separate article.

The final stage of building a house is the installation of the roof truss system and laying of roofing material. When choosing a roofing material, you need to take into account issues such as rain noise and fire safety. If the choice falls in favor, then during the rain you will be able to sleep peacefully. Many articles have been written about other roofing materials on the pages of our online resource.

One of the most airtight roofing materials is. The coating is hermetic, since the sheet joints are fastened using the seam method, that is, without nails, screws and other devices.

And if you have already made a choice in favor of an onduvilla, then you should familiarize yourself with the rules and sequence of installation of an onduvilla.

Or are you a supporter of tiles? Then we suggest reading the article about installing ceramic tiles. But keep in mind that its installation is a complex process.

As you can see, before starting to build your own home, you need to solve a lot of problems, which you now know about.

Video about where to start building a house