Building a House? 10 Things You Need To Think About First

by Wade Wiebe

One of the biggest barriers to sustainable living is a house that just isn’t designed for it.  If you are planning to build a new house, here are ten points to consider before starting construction. 

1. Have lots of counter space.  Food is one of the most important parts of sustainable living.  Cooking your own food, baking, canning, having your kids help in the kitchen all take space.
2. Have storm doors.  We live in Manitoba after all!
3. Have a mudroom with a sink, you’ll need it coming in from the garden. 
4. Have a place to work.  A workbench in the garage or a sewing room in the basement will allow you to do more of your own work and enjoy it.
5. Point your windows south.  Avoiding shading your house with your garage and be sure to build your sunroom where there will be sun.  This is called passive-solar design and it could be the most important and least expensive design choice you make.
6. Have a functional pantry.  It should be large enough for your family, and have shelves designed for accessibility.
7. Have a cold storage room.  Bulk food storage isn’t to prepare for a disaster - it’s to store your own preserves, or food that you bought in bulk to save money and packaging.  Local produce is also often easier to buy in bulk.
8. Build it smaller.  Think of the house your grandparents grew up in and reconsider your expectations.  Remember that every 100 sf you don’t build, will save approximately:

                        $15,000 in materials and labour;

                        $450/year in mortgage interest;

                        $60/year in insurance; and

                        $250/year in taxes.

               … not to mention cleaning!  Design your house so that you can add to it later.  Higher quality finishes are more affordable for smaller areas. 

1. Consider a standing-seam metal roof.  It’s more expensive but lasts much longer.
2. Build closer to work. Every 10 kms you reduce from your daily commute, will save $600/year in fuel; and 65 hours per year in driving time.

Remember that this house is (hopefully) going to outlast you.  Small choices you make can reduce your financial stress today and pay dividends to the environment over the whole life of the house – dividends your children will thank you for!