Mike Creedy, owner-builder of the earthbag dome home in Live Oak, Florida, has started a blog to help spread the word about natural building and to help attract volunteers. Contact Mike if you’re interested in helping out. He’s going to document the building process. The costs below show what he’s spent so far.
Costs
The property is serviced. Water well, power and septic. If you are able to, put your own septic in and all the trenching for the electric utility company if you have to use one.
Source out for alternative suppliers even in your own backyard. Measure truck loads that get delivered.
Item Cost in $
Plans: Owen Geiger 500
Engineer: Gary Gill 800
About 1,000 bags 186 (pro-rate of 4,000 purchased)
Building permit 167
Health dept. 210
Septic pump out 200
Sub Total: $2,063
H Rock (footing bags) 350 delivered
Clay loam 16 cu yds 175 delivered
Septic rock 24 yds 500 delivered
Sub Total: $1,025 Ongoing, more to come
Twine 23
Barbed wire 40
Cement 40
Chicken wire 22
Concrete blocks 13
Wheelbarrow, hoes, etc 48
Misc. hardware 80
Sub Total: $266 Ongoing, more to come
Plumbing hardware 430
Electrical hardware 88 (mainly conduit and some Al. wire)
Sub Total: $518 Ongoing, more to come
Chain saw stuff 60
Mill for saw 96
Sub Total: $156
Total: $4,028 to date
Source: Florida Dome Home
Previous blog post: https://naturalbuildingblog.com/permitted-earthbag-dome-home-in-florida/
We want to find out if we can build an earthbag dome on our lot. We just want to start out with one and add on later. We need something affordable and safe. The lot is in Fountain Florida so hurricanes, fires, floods, tornadoes would be a concern. We have no clue who we could ask for labor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
The blog about the Florida Earthbag home is no longer active. I suggest that you go directly to the building authorities in your area to find out what would be required to build with earthbags.
Hi I live in Geneva, Florida which is in Seminole County on a 5 acre farm. I am looking to get rid of our double wide manufactured home and build an earth bag house in the next 10 years. I don’t know where to start and really looking for help on where to go to get approval to build one. Any contractors or engineers in my area that you may know of? Or how to get the building permits?? Ive read the building code manual on the seminal county building permits site but it talks about masonry, wood, brick etc. etc. My thoughts are if its sandbagged then it fits the definition of a brick, except it’s a compressed earth one. So wouldn’t this pass the test?? Many thanks in advance for your advice and assistance.
The folks at http://www.bestructural.com might be able to help you, as they say they are familiar with earthbag construction. Gary J. Gill PE also once was in Florida, but his website is no longer active; you could try his phone: 386-362-3678
Earthbags are really different from all other earthen building technologies, so the codes are not transferable. Usually it is best to talk to the permitting agency directly to find out the real scoop.
Are there people that woild help with the actual engineering and construction, i feel incapable of being able to comlletw it mtswlf as o am.not vweytechnically savy
There are a few individuals or groups that have assisted with building, but none in Florida that I know. You could look at the list at the bottom of http://earthbagbuilding.com/workshops.htm for possibilities.
Can we come see you maybe Sat? Will be in Floral city
How did you go about getting live oak to accept this? I’m in gilchrist.
You need an engineer or architect to approve the design. Codes allow alternative building materials if the plans are stamped by a professional. Right now Structure1.com is the leader in earthbag engineering. They’ve designed about 2 dozen earthbag buidings and dozens of similar alternative buildings. That’s who get my plans approved.
How did you make out Crystal? I just closed on property in Gilchrist county and am interested in green/alternative building
Do you have any written info on this now? Thanks
No new news, sorry.
I’d love to know more about this blog do you have completion details?
Good Job. Thanks for posting this. I’ll definitely check to this site to see what’s new and recommend my people about your posting
very interested in building an earthbag home in florida. Any chance I could visit your project?
Thanks
Rick
In case he doesn’t see this message, check his blog for contact info.
very good!!! what size dome? can I send engineer inquiries to Gary Gil?
Gary Gill is accepting inquiries.
This is so sexy! Still can’t do a sawdust toilet or a compound house, so I’m screwed. But I’ll lend a hand on this project any way I can.