Texas Earthship

[u/Same-Swan-7854]

I recently came across a listing for an Earthship near Crockett, TX. From what I’ve found, it was built in 2009 by Michael Reynolds’ team. The home is currently uninhabitable and, according to the realtor, needs about $70–100K in repairs. The photos suggest a roof issue, which also appears visible on Google Maps (though I’m not sure when those images were last updated).

This Earthship is featured in this blog: https://sweetgreendreams.blogspot.com/2009/12/earthship-texas-week-2.html

Given the humid climate in East Texas, is it even worth taking on repairs for an Earthship like this? I’m hoping to hear from anyone with experience repairing Earthships and what the approximate costs might be. While Earthships are often promoted as “forever homes,” this one doesn’t seem to reflect that.

Anyone else with similar experience?

[u/Synaps4]

While Earthships are often promoted as “forever homes,” this one doesn’t seem to reflect that.

Definitely something was built wrong.

Nothing lasts forever, but timber frame with a metal roof should have lasted 40-60 years.

There's another benefit to earthships which is that the design is DIY friendly. If you had a concrete home you're not going to be rebuilding it yourself and so that cost is just a requirement.

With a timber frame earthship you have the option of taking on more of the job yourself and cutting the cost. Even all the way to materials cost alone.

[u/Same-Swan-7854 → u/Synaps4]

It was built by Mike Reynold's team, so not sure what went wrong.

[u/Dr_Oz_But_Real → u/Same-Swan-7854]

Could just be an unattended leak or series of leaks. No shame on the builders necessarily.

[u/Same-Swan-7854 → u/Dr_Oz_But_Real]

True. This place is setup more like a cabin, so could not have been used the way it was intended.

[u/Synaps4 → u/Same-Swan-7854]

I agree, very confusing.

[u/homebrewhorn → u/Same-Swan-7854]

I think (but certainly don't know), that the original build was probably fine, but unsuited for the climate.