Unlike conventional modern building with its frenetic pace, power tools, and scope for errors and accidents, cob-making is a peaceful, meditative and rhythmic exercise. Building cob is easier and more enjoyable with a crew, so it lends itself to community projects, building parties and workshops. Codes today protect the industrial manufacturers of building components better than homeowners. Not surprisingly, there is no code for cob, though nowhere is earthen building prohibited. Many cob builders choose not to involve building officials and have had no problems.
Cob is one of the cheapest building materials imaginable.
Often the soil removed during site work is enough to build the walls. The owner-builder can supply the labor, inviting friends to join in the excitement of hand sculpting a house. The Cob Cottage Company works primarily with recycled materials and handwork lumber. Once the basics are understood, cob building is amazingly simple. In a week long workshop you can learn how to select materials, prepare a mix, and build a wall.