Straw bale is unquestionably a cheap alternative building material. A single bale of straw is extremely lower in cost compared to the same amount of standard insulation materials (e.g. styrofoam). Walls made of it are also much simpler in composition, easy to stack and thus less labor-intensive. As a result, buildings made of this material turn out to be cheaper to build.

 

In most cases, the cost of constructing walls is roughly around ten to fifteen percent of the total straw bale building construction budget. That's not a tiny percentage, but it's still not the entire house altogether. For instance, if you have a 100,000 USD construction budget, about one-tenth of that could be spent on straw bale walls. Not unreasonable at all. That means the walls will cost 91,000 USD, if ten percent of the whole budget should go to them. Though you will hardly get richer because of this, it's still a considerable saving. You should remember that straw bale offers long term benefits in terms of cost, considering the extra insulation they provide and the subsequent reduction in heating and cooling expenses. The benefits you get from the savings becomes useful over the long term, not during the construction period.

 

Going over budget is not unusual in construction projects. In fact, it happens quite frequently. Hence, it's wise to provide an allowance of resources since delays and unexpected costs are always part of the picture. While a significant portion of a project's budget will go to what's inside the straw bale walls, you do have a choice as to which ones you want and which ones you don't actually need. The same "shell" can be filled in many different ways, from dirt-cheap to luxurious. Though there are no such things as "right" or "wrong" in this scenario, you need to remember that there are more cost-effective alternatives to nearly everything. For instance, use salvaged wood and earthen tamped floors. Instead of hiring extra hands, you can even consider doing some of the smaller tasks yourself with the help of friends.

 

Of course, although strawbale building walls are inexpensive, you need to use them as part of a grander, cost-effective plan that allows you to maximize the benefits. Be meticulous with the materials you use and consider adopting a more hands-on approach on your project. If there's something you can do, do it and enjoy.

 

In the end, you want to be able to enjoy advantages not only from reduced costs but form smart building. On top of that, the fulfillment that comes from knowing that you have achieved something on your own, is something no contractor can give you. Certainly, there are jobs that you can only entrust to professionals. But don't miss the opportunities of making significant contribution to your own project.