Webinar Case Study: Financing and Insuring a Hempcrete Home
By HempBuild Magazine
The Natural Building Alliance (NaBA) launched its 2026 Webinar Series June 23, 2026 with a case study on financing and insuring a natural build. The bio-construction project chosen was a made of hempcrete.
In an interview with carpenter and DIY general contractor Keith Bien, participants learned how the Biens (Keith and Kate) built their 3,000-square-foot, non-traditional home in Georgia using HempBLOCK International’s BioSYS mortarless hemp blocks.
Keith previously described his journey financing his hempcrete home to HempBuild Mag in 2022.
Kate (R) and Keith Bien (L) pose with a HempBLOCK International block. Photo courtesy Keith Bien
Photo of the construction site of the Bien’s house shared during the webinar. Photo Courtesy of Keith Bien
Bien detailed his strategy for acquiring a construction loan from a regional bank that then converts into a mortgage loan. He also discusses the types of insurance required, including construction site insurance and then standard homeowner insurance.
Bien gave tips on strategies including clear documentation of the project and using industry-standard terminology.
When asked by a participant whether the family would work with these materials again, Bien said, “If I had to do it all over again, I absolutely would.”
Interior photo of the Wildwood Georgia hempcrete home built by Keith and Katie Bien. Photo courtesy of Keith Bien
A HempBLOCK International block is displayed in the lobby A HempBLOCK International block is displayed in the lobby of Citizens Bank and Trust in Trenton, GA. Photo by Keith Bien
The session also covered structural engineering, utility installation, and liability management for onsite workshops. The full recording is available on the Natural Building Alliance YouTube channel.
Follow the Bien family on Instagram at @hemphealthyhome.
Sign up for the NaBA newsletter to find out about upcoming webinars.
Full disclosure: HempBuild Mag publisher Jean Lotus also works as executive director for the Natural Building Alliance
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An image of the house as it was plastered. Photo Courtesy Keith Bien
Keith Bien (L) poses with banker Jon Cole (R) to show off an interlocking hempcrete block. The bank was supportive, the Biens said. Photo courtesy Keith Bien
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