📚 Free Resource Library

Build Smart, Build Dirt Cheap
Resource Toolkit

All 21 companion worksheets, calculators, and guides from the book — ready to download and use on your build site.

21Resources
18Chapters
100%Free

📖 Introduction & Getting Started

🏗️ Site, Climate & Budget Planning

🔍 Choosing Your Building Method

🌍 Earth & Natural Building Methods

CH. 6

Chapter 6 — Earthbag
Earthbag Tamping Guide + Barbed Wire Shear Calculator
Master tamping technique for dense, stable walls — plus calculate the correct barbed wire spacing for shear resistance.
📐 Guide + Calculator
Download PDF →


CH. 7

Chapter 7 — Rammed Earth
Rammed Earth Formwork Engineering Guide + Lift Calculator
Design your rammed earth formwork to handle lateral pressures — and calculate the optimal lift height for your mix.
🏗️ Engineering + Calculator
Download PDF →


CH. 8

Chapter 8 — Adobe
Adobe Brick Casting Guide + Clay-Straw Balance Sheet
Step-by-step brick mould casting technique with a balance sheet for dialing in your ideal clay-to-straw ratio.
🧱 Guide + Balance Sheet
Download PDF →


CH. 9

Chapter 9 — Cob
Cob Tarp Mixing Guide + Sculptural Lift Tracker
The tarp method made simple — with a tracker to monitor wall height lifts and drying time between cob sessions.
🏺 Guide + Tracker
Download PDF →


CH. 10

Chapter 10 — Wattle & Daub
Wattle Weaving Grid Guide + Daub Mud Recipe Sheet
A grid-pattern weaving guide for your wattle framework, plus precise mud recipes for the perfect daub plaster mix.
🌿 Grid + Recipe
Download PDF →


CH. 11

Chapter 11 — Bamboo
Bamboo Joinery Template Guide + Borate Curing Log
Templates for 6 essential bamboo joints plus a borate treatment and curing log to ensure long-lasting durability.
🎋 Templates + Log
Download PDF →


CH. 12

Chapter 12 — Straw Bale
Straw Bale Moisture Verification Guide + Plaster Mix Calculator
Verify bale moisture levels before and during construction, then dial in your lime or earthen plaster mix for the best bond.
🌾 Verification + Calculator
Download PDF →


CH. 13

Chapter 13 — Ferrocement
Ferrocement Mesh Layering Guide + Cistern Design Math Sheet
Layer your wire mesh for optimal tensile strength, then calculate cistern volume and wall thickness with the math sheet.
🕸️ Layering + Math
Download PDF →


CH. 14

Chapter 14 — Containers
Container Welding Header Guide + Plywood Floor Safety Check
Weld load-bearing headers correctly for container openings, and verify your plywood subfloor meets structural safety standards.
📦 Welding + Safety
Download PDF →

🏛️ Structure, Systems & Finishing

CH. 15

Chapter 15 — Foundations
Hybrid Combinations Sheet + Rubble Trench Calculator
Mix-and-match foundation systems for different soil conditions, with a full rubble trench volume and drainage calculator.
🪨 Combinations + Calculator
Download PDF →


CH. 16

Chapter 16 — Roofing
Roof and Drainage Checklist + Overhang Solar Angle Calculator
Inspect your roof and drainage system against 25 checkpoints, then calculate the ideal overhang for your latitude’s sun angle.
☀️ Checklist + Calculator
Download PDF →


CH. 17

Chapter 17 — Plasters
Room-by-Room Phasing Planner + Natural Plaster Recipe Guide
Schedule your plaster work room by room to avoid cracking and damp issues, with tested recipes for earth, lime, and clay plasters.
🪣 Planner + Recipes
Download PDF →


CH. 18

Chapter 18 — Code & Off-Grid
Master Safe-Build Checklist + 30-Day Action Plan
A 50-point safety and code compliance checklist, paired with a 30-day action plan to move from reading to breaking ground.
✅ Checklist + Action Plan
Download PDF →

📚 Complete Master Library

📖 These resources are companion materials to Build Smart, Build Dirt Cheap

Download any PDF for free. For questions, contact us at info@empiregroup.ug

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