Ya gotta compare labor intensive with materials intensive, and the relative costs for each.
Before the 1960s, generally and on a comparative basis, labor was cheap and materials were expensive. So, more rock or brick homes in the middle- and upper-middle-class homes.
The changes in relative costs for labor and materials, plus the construction concept of things like Levittown after WW II, a crew could come in, do a slab, another crew would frame and roof a house and then another crew would finish it. Stick construction meant fast construction times and less tie-up of the builder's line of credit.
If you want fairly up-to-date construction, go with R-30 foamed wall panels in steel frames. R-30 above the ceiling. Heat with a match; cool with an ice cube.
Very fast construction time. Inert materials, from a weather and termite standpoint.
I was 60 when I built my present house. I know my son isn't interested in living in Terlingua, so why build for a long, long lifespan for the house? Stick frame. RufTex panelling inside and out. 2x6 studs for the west and north walls; R19. Full length porches, east and west sides, so little sun load. R30 above the ceiling.
I ran the foundation job. I hired a guy to build the basic box; five men dried it in in eight days. I then took over. Five months of my labor; one month for BossLady. House, separate garage, 14 acres surveyed for the "lot"; water system; furniture and appliances: 1,400 sq ft at $33/sq ft. Not bad for an Old Fart.
If it lasts another ten or fifteen years, I'm golden.
, Art