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How Long Does It Take to Build a Cob House?
Tiny Insights for building naturally, building beautifully.
No.079 — Read old posts on Tinyfarmlab.com
Reading Time 4 minutes
Unlike concrete construction, where machines and pre-made materials speed things up, cob is built by hand—layer by layer.
So how long does it really take to build a cob house?
Well, that depends on several factors.
What Affects the Timeline?
Size & Complexity – A tiny cob cottage might take a few months, while a large home could take a year or more. The more intricate the design, the longer it takes.
Number of Hands – With more people, the walls can go up much faster. Some communities have built entire houses in just a few weeks!
Weather Conditions – Cob needs to dry between layers. In hot, dry weather, it dries faster; in humid or rainy conditions, it takes longer.
How Much You DIY – If you're doing everything yourself, expect a longer build time. A team speeds things up significantly.
How Fast Can You Build with Cob?
Fastest Timeline?
A small, well-planned cob home can be built in 3-6 months with enough helping hands.
A Slower, Enjoyable Process?
Many people build in phases, working gradually over a year or more—allowing for creativity and adjustments along the way.
As cob houses are often living sculptures, as Da Vinci would say:
"Art is never finished, only abandoned."
Key Stages That Impact Speed
1. Below 4 feet, cobbing is faster.
Mixing takes longer than applying at this stage.
2. Above 4 feet, work slows down due to:
Lifting cob higher.
Moving scaffolding.
Detailing around windows and doors.
3. Finishing Takes More Time
The basic walls go up quickly, but finishing slows the process.
More sculpting = more time for carving, smoothing, and detailing.
Plastering and final coats take patience for a refined look.
4. Roof Complexity & Material Sourcing
Larger buildings need more complex roofs, which take time to design and build.
Finding the right materials (wood, insulation, windows, doors) can delay your build if not sourced on time.
Planning ahead ensures smooth progress.
Case Study: Two People Building a 300 sq. ft. Cottage
Week 1: ~18 inches of cob built.
Week 2: ~30 inches more (now at window level, requiring less cob).
Week 3-4: Slower due to lifting, scaffolding, and detailing around windows.
End of Week 4: Time to install deadmen for roof anchoring.
One-story cottage walls can be built in under a month, but finishing takes longer!
There are even international workshops where participants build a tiny cottage from foundation to roof in just five weeks!
So, how fast can you build a cob house?
The answer is—
it depends!
But one thing’s for sure:
the process is as rewarding as the final home itself.
Would you prefer a fast build or a slow, artistic journey?
Reply and tell us.
Love,
Raghav and Ansh
PS: We know we are late in sending this newsletter post. There was no electricity in the village for the last two days. Such is rural life!
What you can watch -
What you can listen to -
What You Can Read - The Cob Builders Handbook: You Can Hand-sculpt Your Home
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