Somewoman, I saw that same Grand Designs episode. It was fascinating to watch. There is an entire movement dedicated to building these homes and the labour is made up of people who are all building, or want to build, their own earthship. If you have people come and help you it is sort of expect that you will then go on and help someone else down the track, like a pooling of resources. The way they build them are so innovative. There is a family who live about 20km from us who are building one - a straw bale house - our DS's are friends and I can't wait to see it when it is finished. It will be completely off the grid when it is done.