mike williams

Yeah, fraction conversion to decimal works fine. 1/2 = .5  1/4 =.25 1/8 =.125.
Remembering most building is based on factors of two. To minimize wasting material stick to the notion that walls stretched out in a linear fashion should add up to a round number divisible by two, on the outside measured walls. 12 by 16...24 by 32 sort of thing, in feet.

It’s great to pencil things out on a sheet or two of graph paper. Draw it out, remember paper is cheaper than lumber. I spent hours doing this with an architect ruler when I couldn’t do anything else. Referencing how to books from a bygone era when people  did build their own houses. I’m pretty sure that stuff can be found on line....

John has the right idea. Toads are our friends. You need not be too close to water either. I fostered toad cultures simply by provideing toad habitat. Toads like to moderate their body temps. Hide in the shade during the day and hunt slugs at night. Leave a bowl of water out for them, put an old board that they can hide under and they'll move in if any are around. My little girls used to bring home toads to let go in the garden. They became permanent residents.