The $50 & Up Underground House Book

OH MY GOD! WHERE DO I START? I'm afraid my review cannot give this revolutionary how-to book the justice is deserves!I though the cheapest way to live, at least temporarily, would be a trailer, converted/insulated shed, or converted/insulated storage container. Boy, was I wrong! Even if you adjust for today's prices, building underground is not only *cheaper initially*, but *WILL SAVE YOU TONS OF HEATING/REPAIR COSTS FOREVER* if you do it right!And if you do...do it right...it will be as light-filled as a traditional home or *EVEN MORE SO*! And get this...a properly-sited underground home is *EASILY EXPANDABLE* with minimal interruption of your current living! Although Mike Oehler enlisted the help of several (probably fitness-buff) friends, I could literally see me doing most of in myself in a matter of months with help at only 2 steps along the way. (I would HIGHLY recommending getting the evaluation of your plans by someone who has done it to avoid problems.)Mike explains clearly how an underground home, built a certain way, *AVOIDS* earth-shifting, moisture buildup, and flooding even *BETTER* than a conventional house. Still, for safety, using plastic sheeting to surround all the underground parts off the home, the right way, will protect it if something wasn't quite right. He explains how to design to allow easy repairs and additions, and why he sites his homes in a way that would be counter-intuitive to above-ground builders. He also touts the benefits to your body of *NOT* walking on wood/tile/etc floors, while still being able to have carpeting, and how you can have a root cellar directly attached to your house.You'll learn to design a small herb/flower/vegetable garden right outside your door as part of your excavation. Yes, you will even learn the joys of the "barbecue window"!He also refers you to a lot of now-classic books that have stood the test of time, for more depth in subjects like other methods of building (earth-sheltered, corwood, cob), solar power, water supply, and more. This is a book that you will read multiple times. Most important, it will stop you from spending money you don't have to, and probably can't afford!

Very cool informative book. Still reading through and taking design ideas for what I want mine to be.

Never know when this kind of information might come in handy. Especially with the world the way it is now.

We love this book, it is be a primary source for inspiration as we plan toward homesteading. Great ideas for removing as much footprint as makes sense. I especially love the idea of growing food on my roof! A couple of his generally functional ideas, I have been doing already, but they helped me refine my thinking for practice, and stop feeling silly for doing what I know isn't normal!

One man's underground building over time, using dirt, timber and savaged building material

its an excellent book on the subject. my only concern is that it might be somewhat outdated now since society has changed a lot since he wrote it.id adore a revision.

Don't know that I would trust the house not to leak and fall in. Not understanding how building up a slope with a sunken patio between the upslope and the house would be safe. In a flood, all the water would run straight into the house.

this book is a fantastic resource. at times the details were too technical for me but information was concise and necessary.