I've corrected it in SVN branch 2.0 (future RC5).
the fist buildings you build in your first base have zero build time with the no_buildings option.
Tested now with SVN-3530:
* building with zero build time only works until you leave build-menu
i.e. when you build a few facilities, then visit hire/buy/research etc,
then come back to build some more, build-time is on again
* there is a huge financial difference between no_buildings on+off:
with no_buildings, the player has to pay for his dropship + interceptor,
so the player with no_buildings cannot build a sensible base
(just entrance + dropship-hangar + dropship leave you with only 53070,
from your 4 million of the standard campaign).
Hiring, research and production work with unfinished buildings
Still not fixed, e.g. you can research while the lab is unfinished.
Also, with no_buildings I got only 1 of each weapon + 3 rockets + 3 grenades,
even on "very easy".
This is barely enough to equip 7 soldiers for the first mission,
and I don't think this is easy or funny...