Cohousing-L Mailing List: D.I.Y's Affordability

[Harry Pasternak (Harry_Pasternak]

This note is for folks who are Unpaid Volunteeers who are
developing/designing/building their own neighborhood to enhance their own
"social networking"--this king of neighborhood is sometimes called cohousing
or collaborative housing or cooperative housing; but, can be found in many
middleclass communities all over the western world.

Some proven methods of keeping it all affordable.

* Build 7 homes per acre--drastically reduces land costs.
* Build the homes in clusters with footpaths--drastically reduces water and
sewage service costs.
* Eliminate garages and roads (thru neighborhood)--save a bunch of money no
roads or garages.  
* Keep the homes in the 1400 sq. ft. range--save the planet and keeps costs
down.
* Use conventional construction--familiarity breeds rapid construction and
fewer errors and call backs.
* Design and build sectionalized homes if possible-- can reduce on site
construction to 23 days to completely finish.
* Design, buy all the materials, hire the workers and manage the
construction-- save around 40% of the construction costs of homes.
* Do most of the labor as well-- save another 25%.
* Utilize a very shallow foundation/ slab with colored concrete imprinted
with tiles--you just saved at least $6000. over conventional basement/first
floor system.
* Utilize "attic trusses" -- you just framed a second floor for free
(almost).
Etc.
 etc.
 etc.
Harry Pasternak
Unpaid Volunteer For D.I.Y.'s Who Need Info On Designing and Building 
Affordable,Frugal Supportive Neighborhoods, Who Works At:
Thousand Islands Institute
The Independent Centre For Housing Research & Education
(Harry_Pasternak [at] tvo.org)

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