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Buck had not planned to spend any money on construction at all, but a few miscalculations resulted in the £150 expenditure. The amount of straw he needed for the roof was more than expected, so he had to buy some. He also spent money on nails to keep the thatch attached. The hobbit house has no electrical fittings, no running water and no gas connection. But residents of the house really don’t need these because there are alternatives for everything.

Free running water is available at the hut 24/7, thanks to a diverted nearby spring that gurgles out of a pipe outside the house. There is no central heating, but the cob walls and thatched roof provide excellent insulation. The wood burning stove can be used for cooking and it is strategically placed beneath the bunk style bed. This makes sure that residents stay warm throughout the night. Candles and lanterns provide light.