Owning a home has long been considered a foundation for financial stability, security, and personal identity.

For many, it’s a place of sanctuary—a space to build family memories and grow wealth. Unfortunately, conventional home ownership through traditional housing and mortgage systems has become increasingly out of reach for most people worldwide. As housing prices soar, many are finding that even the most basic homes are unaffordable, especially when you factor in rising costs of living and limited wage growth.

But the problem isn’t just the price. Conventional homes—often built with stick frames and synthetic, toxic materials—can feel flimsy, soul-less, and environmentally damaging. The very building practices that have come to define modern housing often prioritize profit over people, quality over sustainability, and convenience over health.

This is where the opportunity lies: how to build a home that is more than just a shelter. The BOTB Mastermind course wants to inspire you with the knowledge, resources, and practical tools to plan and construct your own healthy, resilient, energy-efficient, and beautiful home using materials that are better for people and the planet.

It’s time to rethink how we build, where we build, and why we build the way we do.

Here are 10 ways our friends over at the Mastermind Course have come up with to make building an eco-alternative home more affordable and accessible:

1. Assess Your Wants vs. Your Needs

We all need shelter from the elements, clean water, food, and safe sanitation to survive. When it comes to a home, these are the fundamentals. Yet many of us fall into the trap of focusing on luxury features—granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and expansive square footage. Before embarking on your build, take some time to assess what you really need to live comfortably. Start by listing your needs and separating them from your wants. Then, plan your home around these essentials. You may find that you can reduce your footprint and significantly lower costs by focusing on what matters most.

2. Start Small

Many people assume that building a dream home means creating something large and extravagant. But in reality, smaller homes are cheaper to build, more energy-efficient, and easier to maintain. If you’re living alone or with a small family, consider building a smaller, well-designed space that addresses your core needs. A tiny home, a small studio, or a one-bedroom cottage might be all you need to live comfortably. Starting small also gives you the flexibility to expand your home in the future as time and resources allow.

3. Be Your Own Project Manager

Building your home doesn’t mean you have to manage every single task yourself, but you can take on more responsibility for the overall process. Acting as your own project manager can save you money while giving you more control over how your project progresses. You’ll be in charge of ordering materials, hiring subcontractors, and organizing the work schedule. By overseeing the logistics, you can ensure that everything runs smoothly and that costs stay within your budget. We’re currently developing resources to help you with this process, so stay tuned!

4. Build It Yourself

One of the most rewarding aspects of building a natural home is doing the work yourself. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also provides a deeper connection to the space you’re creating. Natural building materials like straw bales, rammed earth, and cob are often less expensive than conventional building materials, but they require more labor to install. If you’re up for it, doing a significant portion of the work yourself can save you money, help you learn new skills, and result in a home that is truly your own.

5. Repurpose with Purpose

A huge way to save money in the construction process is by using repurposed or salvaged materials. Look for free or inexpensive materials that can be reused, such as reclaimed wood, old bricks, doors, windows, or even furniture. Not only does this approach reduce waste, but it also lowers costs. Many materials can be refurbished or repurposed creatively—think about turning old pallets into furniture or using reclaimed timber for your walls. This not only saves money but also adds character and a unique aesthetic to your home.

6. Learn Before You Leap

Building your own eco-home is a major undertaking, so it’s essential to arm yourself with knowledge first. We’ve seen many well-meaning people rush into building projects without fully understanding the complexities involved. The costs, the time commitment, and the technical challenges can easily overwhelm newcomers. Take time to research, attend workshops, and learn from experienced builders. Understanding what will work best for your budget, your climate, and your personal preferences will give you a realistic sense of what you can achieve.

7. Help Others (and Let Them Help You)

One of the best ways to gain hands-on experience in natural building is by volunteering. You can attend workshops, join natural building projects, or help out friends and family who are building their own homes. This “sweat equity” will provide you with invaluable practical experience and help you build connections with others in the community. Not only will you learn new skills, but you’ll also gain confidence in the process. Plus, you can offer your time in exchange for learning, creating a win-win situation that will benefit your own future project.

8. Buy Local/Dirt Cheap

In the world of natural building, sourcing materials locally is key. The further away you have to transport materials, the higher the cost. By using locally available materials like clay, stone, sand, or timber, you can significantly cut down on your expenses. A great tip is to contact local builders or excavators—they often have leftover dirt or gravel from previous projects that you can use for free. These materials can be invaluable for foundation work or earth-based building techniques.

9. Consider Rural Land

Land can often be the biggest expense in building a home. However, by considering rural land or property further from urban areas, you can often find more affordable options. Of course, you’ll need to balance proximity to resources like building materials and access to roads. But with the rise of remote work and high-speed internet, you don’t necessarily have to be tied to a city to make a living. With the right approach, rural living can be more affordable and sustainable, allowing you to build a natural home on a budget.

10. Join a Community

Finally, one of the best ways to reduce costs and increase support is to join or create an eco-community. In such a community, people can share labor, tools, and resources, as well as collaborate on larger land purchases. Whether you’re part of a formal eco-village or simply connect with like-minded individuals, a community can offer a wealth of knowledge, practical help, and moral support. Together, you can share the costs and work of building your homes, making the entire process more affordable and manageable.

By incorporating these strategies into your planning, you can create a home that reflects your values, meets your needs, and is kind to both your wallet and the planet. Whether you’re building alone or as part of a community, remember that the process is just as rewarding as the final product. Let’s build a healthier, more sustainable world, one home at a time.

Find the original article here.