Low cost building techniques?

Question

Hi all! We recently decided to do an upgrade of a Scout hall by adding on an adjacent room. As a non-profit organisation we are trying to keep costs to a minimum so any ideas of cheap ways to build will be appreciated. Please note that we are in South Africa, so wood-structures are not as affordable as they are in the USA.

Answer 1

You could look at hay bales for the walls, or mud bricks, rammed earth or adobe consructions.  These are good as they are cheap.  Especially the earth ones as you can source your own earth without needing to pay for it.  Not sure what your brief is, do you need plumbing? Are you having a floor or will it be just dirt?

Answer 2

I work for Habitat for Humanity.  You can check out our web site and get some good ideas.  But the most important thing I want to say to you is build basic with no frills, but don't skimp on anything.  Don't half build it.  Use more insulation than necessary, use good roofing products.  Build it right the first time.

Answer 3

It seems to me that you want to look at methods that use lots of small handcarries rather than massive setups - brick vs concrete walls.   You might, since you are talking Scouts, want to look at a project that would fit Scout goals, so look at rammed earth or adobe brick with stucco on outside.   You might go so far as to look at post and beam with wicker or willow wythe inside with mud daub and stucco to seal.

  How much Code do you have to comply with?  Exits, cooling, power spacing of outlets?

Answer 4

You may be able to find a finished trailer (home or office type),  on a government surplus web site.   Being a non-profit org.  you'd be a shoe-in for a charitable donation.

You could then just butt it on, to the existing structure.