How Much Does It Cost To Live Off Grid?
One of the major reasons many people consider living off-grid is to save money. Going small and self-sufficient will save you money over time, but the up-front cost can climb higher than you might expect. An off-grid project will still be less expensive than any conventional home. The important thing is to prepare and budget for your project’s needs, and hopefully, find some places where you can save. Here are some guidelines for the basic costs, to help you strategize and come up with a budget.
Land:
You may be able to snag some free land, but if you want a good lot in a good location, you will likely end up paying $20,000 to $150,000. The smaller the land, the lower the price. If you want to really work your land, farm, or have livestock, it will be worth the investment for a larger and more hospitable plot. The sustainability of your lifestyle off-grid will be influenced by the land you buy. When you are considering how much to invest in the purchase of land consider your lifestyle, how much time you will be spending there and what the cost of construction might be on that particular piece of land. You may find some land for $15,000, but if the land is not viable for construction or it is so remote that supplies are more costly to transport, you will end up paying more in the long run.
Home:
You may be able to find some land that includes a structure, but if you are building something new, prices can vary. A good way to find a home that fits in your budget is to look at our Typologies pages. You will see a huge range in costs for shelters and can figure out which one is right for you. You can get a canvas tent for $1,000 or build a $200,000 tiny home. A basic wood frame structure can be built for $20,000, but you can always start small and build on over time.
Utilities:
Looking at the cost of Utilities may have you circling back to your land budget. If the land you are building on has fresh water, sun exposure, a well or a septic tank your utility costs will go down. For completely new construction, expect to pay in the range of $17,000 for the basic utilities and up to $50,000 if your land does not have easy access to resources. When you are looking at a piece of land keep in mind, the fewer resources, the higher the utility cost. That cheaper piece of land may cost you more in the long run.
Unexpected:
As you begin your off-grid journey you may find some expensive surprises, and it is important to plan ahead for them. Permitting and building fees will likely apply to your shelter, so make sure you look up the fees associated with the land you are buying. Another major expense that will be re-occurring is taxes. Just like building fees, consider this before you go buying land in a state with high property taxes. You will also want to save money for maintenance at all stages of construction, and your life off-grid. You will learn to fix a lot of things yourself, but its always good to get a little bit of help from a professional.
Land… Again:
As you have gone through the expenses associated with constructing an off the grid home, you can see how important investing in the right piece of land is. Look for a plot that is not going to drive up utility cost, cause construction problems, or hit you with expensive taxes every year.
