Building Town tips for new builders
The best tip for Building Town: read the hint line and press the key in front of it. The hint always shows the very next step, for every job and every machine. Below are more habits that save time, and fixes for the mistakes new builders make most.
Tips for every job
- Follow the outlined button. The button you need next has an outline, and its key sits in front of the hint. On a controller the hint shows the stick or button instead.
- Drive or Work? Most "nothing happens" moments come from the wrong mode. Drive moves the machine. Work moves the tool. F (X, or the mode button) switches.
- Use slow controls for the fine bits. Hold Shift (LB), or tap Slow controls, when you lower a roof or line up forks. The tool then moves at about a third of the speed.
- Take your time. There is no timer. A job waits until you finish it, even if you stop and come back another day.
- Lost your machine? Press C (B on a controller) or choose Follow machine, and the camera comes back to it.
- Pause any time. Esc, Start or Pause. The game also pauses by itself when you switch tabs or a controller is unplugged.
Digging and tipping tips
- Fill the bucket. Keep curling until the Load readout stops going up. A full backhoe or excavator bucket is 600 kg, and that is a whole job's delivery.
- Lift before you drive. The hint asks you to lift the full bucket first. Lift it, switch to Drive, and then go.
- Tip on the light pad only. Soil that lands outside the light pad does not count.
- Don't dig on the light pad. Scooping soil back up from the light pad takes it off your delivery count.
- Bucket won't fill? It only scoops when the edge touches the dark soil. Lower it more. If the patch under it is empty, the hint says Reach into fresh soil.
Tips for the bigger jobs
- Planting beds: dig the two holes first, at least 200 kg each, in two different patches of soil. Reach the arm out a little between them.
- Load the gravel truck: lift the loader bucket high, above the dumper's side, before you drive close. Then tip. Leave the soil in the dumper.
- Deliver the fill: the soil comes out at the back. Drive so the back of the bed is over the light pad, then raise the bed. Lower it before you drive again.
- Raise the workshop roof: lift the roof above the beams before you swing over the workshop. If the roof swings, let go of all controls and wait.
- Open the delivery route: any bucket machine or the dumper counts. The wheel loader's big bucket (900 kg) does it in one go.
- Firm little road and Level the building lane: set the tool in Work first (vibration on, or blade down), then switch to Drive and go dead straight down the lane.
- Pour a concrete slab: mix to 100% before you move. Then line the chute up behind you, over the wooden form.
- Stock the builders' shelf: lift the pallet higher than the shelf first, then reach out over it, then lower.
Every job is explained in full on all ten jobs.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
The messages in quotes show up when no job is running. During a job, the hint line gives you the next step instead.
| What happens | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The machine does not move | It is in Work mode, or the parking brake is on | Press F for Drive. If the hint says Release the parking brake., press E. |
| "There is not enough room. Lift the roof or choose another path." | Another machine or the edge of the site is in the way, or the roof would hit the workshop | Back up, steer round, or hoist the roof higher. |
| "Move the bucket over the soil yard or dumper." | The bucket is outside the work area | Drive back to the soil or the light pad before you tip. |
| "Lower the bed or set down the load before driving." | The dumper bed is up, or the crane holds the roof | Lower the bed, or set the roof down, then switch to Drive. |
| "Switch to Work to deploy the crane supports." | The crane can only hook in Work mode | Press F for Work. |
| "Lower the hook close to the roof lifting point." | The hook is too far from the roof | Lower and move the hook right over the roof, then try E again. |
| "Let the load settle, then release." | The roof is still swinging | Let go of everything and wait a moment. |
| The machine is stuck | It drove into a corner | Tools & machines → Recover machine. Your load stays on board. |
| "Unlock this job by buying the Excavator." | The next job needs the machine you borrowed | Press Buy Excavator · 450 coins on the Jobs board. |
Earn more coins
The ten jobs pay 4,600 coins. Members can earn more with the Herrhagen street projects (700 + 850 coins) and with Build your own street (700 coins for each street). You can start Herrhagen whenever you like.
Like this game? Try these
If you like helping with big vehicles, try the Nordic Recovery guide: you drive a tow truck and rescue cars on snowy roads. For something different, read the Hospital Helpers guide: you help patients feel better as a nurse and a doctor.
See also
- Advanced tips: exact numbers and faster ways.
- Controls: every key and button.
- FAQ: quick answers.
- Play Building Town and try these tips.
