Three ways to use Before They Build
Free. Organized. Preserved.
Essential civic knowledge stays free forever. Paid Editions package what's already free into a binder you can take to the hearing — or a paperback you can put on a shelf.
Which one should I choose?
Start with your situation.
See the full shop → — free handbooks, kits, cards, and printables in one place.
Free
Everything you need.
Every handbook, packet, directory, and answer page on this site is free at its canonical route. No login. No paywall.
Free
Digital Edition
Everything organized.
A single print-ready PDF that gathers the six most useful handbooks into one binder — formatted for the kitchen table, the public-comment podium, and the records counter.
$14.95
Library Edition
Everything preserved.
The same contents as the Digital Edition, printed by Lulu in a 6×9 perfect-bound paperback with archival margins, a library copyright page, and catalog metadata. For neighbours who want a permanent copy — and for libraries, schools, planning offices, HOAs, and churches that want a Civic Archive Edition on the shelf.
$29.95
One more, smaller
Have a single hearing on the calendar?
The Public Hearing Pack ($9) is a 24-page edition focused on the one meeting you have to prepare for — speech worksheet, timeline, questions, and a place to take notes.
Compare
What's the difference?
Every row is true of the Free tier first. Paid Editions add convenience, organization, and a physical copy — never new information.
| Free | Hearing Pack | Digital | Library | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core civic information | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Printable at home | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hearing toolkit (speech, timeline, questions) | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Organized collection (single binder PDF) | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complete handbook set | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bound paperback for the shelf | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Price | Free | $9 | $14.95 | $29.95 |
Your purchase keeps every core handbook free for everyone.
Why isn't a paid Edition required?
Because the free handbook already contains everything important. The Editions package that knowledge for convenience — they do not unlock it.