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Owner-Builder Crash Course · Victoria

Owner-building in Victoria? We teach you how to build.

Learn to run your own build in the right order: the site, the trades, the contracts and the money.

Milé Neckoski

Milé Neckoski, your instructorProject manager. 10+ years running Melbourne builds, 50+ homes built start to finish.

Get the free toolkit → See the course ↓

Feel free to call us on 0406 038 913 if you've got any questions. Renovating? See the Reno Crash Course →

Our 3D build of a Melbourne two-storey, cut open to show the frame, floor and roof Explore the build in 3D
Every stage of a Melbourne two-storey, in 3D
Free · no card

The free owner-builder toolkit

Make a free account and open your own toolkit page:

  • The whole build in 3D: all 12 stages and every step
  • 5 trade scopes: concreter, bricklayer or cladding, stair builder, painter and garage door
  • The Quote Comparison Sheet and a double-storey Build Programme (Excel)
  • The 47-step owner-builder checklist and the 12-point quote check
  • The budget, the other trade scopes and the safety pack come with the course, or on their own
So your instructor can help with your build. We never share it.

Free, no card. We'll email you the link too, plus a few emails about running your build. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy policy.

Where owner-builds lose money

If you're an owner-builder, this is where it gets costly.

Owner-builds rarely go over on the things you planned for. The money goes on what nobody told you to check.

Quotes that price different jobs

Three painting quotes for one house: $37k, $65k and $93k. Far apart usually means different work.

Changes agreed on site

“It'll be a bit extra.” Without a price in writing, you find out on the final invoice.

Paying ahead of the work

Big deposits leave you exposed if a trade walks off the job.

Missing an inspection

Pour before the inspection and you may have to prove the work is right.

Ordering too late

Windows and trusses are made to order. Late orders hold up every trade after them.

Trades in the wrong order

Plaster goes up before the electrician finishes, and the walls get cut open again.

See all eight, and the week each one is covered →

Three jobs, one person

What you'll learn.

On a builder's job, three people run the build. When you owner-build, all three jobs are yours. The course teaches you each one, in the order your house gets built.

PM

Project manager

Keeps the build on budget and on time.

  • Your cost plan, contingency and cash flow
  • Construction finance draws
  • The build programme and the order of trades
  • Ordering long-lead items before they hold you up
SM

Site manager

Runs the site, day to day.

  • Site setup, safety and deliveries
  • Footings, slab and the inspection stages
  • Quality checks and hold points, frame to lock-up
  • Services and fit-out trades in the right order
CA

Contracts administrator

Keeps the money and the paperwork straight.

  • Scopes of work and quotes you can compare
  • Trade contracts, insurance and payment claims
  • Changes priced and agreed in writing
  • Defects, retentions and disputes
Choose your course

Live on Zoom, online or coaching.

Each Live level includes everything in the cheaper ones, and every crash course comes with the build pack.

Live Zoom Crash Course

Next intake: the Tuesday group runs 12 January to 23 February 2027 (no class on Australia Day, 26 January), the Thursday group 14 January to 18 February 2027. Each group has 10 seats. About the Live Zoom Crash Course →
Most supportBuild PartnerA$9,900 / 12 months

The Pro course, plus 6 visits to your site, every trade quote checked before you sign, and a monthly mentoring call for 12 months. Already on a crash course? Upgrade during it and your course fee comes off.

See Build Partner →
Premium
A$3,999

Live course + a Saturday site visit

If you want to see it on a real job, this is for you.

  • 6 live classes on Zoom, one a week, 7–9 pm, in the Tuesday or Thursday group
  • The whole build in order: safety and budget, quotes, contracts, sequencing, site set-up, quality checks and hold points, handover
  • Ask your questions live in every class
  • The Online Crash Course included: every module, to watch any time
  • Your partner joins free
  • The site video library
  • Bonus: a Saturday site visit, in person, on a real Melbourne job of your instructor's choosing, with a demonstration of what to check
  • Bonus build pack: 6 templates and checklists, worth A$3,600
View Premium →
Our pick
Pro
A$2,999

Live course + site video library

If you want to see it shown, not just told, this is for you.

  • 6 live classes on Zoom, one a week, 7–9 pm, in the Tuesday or Thursday group
  • The whole build in order: safety and budget, quotes, contracts, sequencing, site set-up, quality checks and hold points, handover
  • Ask your questions live in every class
  • The Online Crash Course included: every module, to watch any time
  • Your partner joins free
  • The site video library, only in Pro: real Melbourne sites on video, showing good work, bad work and what to check
  • Bonus build pack: 6 templates and checklists, worth A$3,600
View Pro →
Standard
A$1,999

The live course

If you want the full course live, with your questions answered, this is for you.

  • 6 live classes on Zoom, one a week, 7–9 pm, in the Tuesday or Thursday group
  • The whole build in order: safety and budget, quotes, contracts, sequencing, site set-up, quality checks and hold points, handover
  • Ask your questions live in every class
  • The Online Crash Course included: every module, to watch any time
  • Your partner joins free
  • Bonus build pack: 6 templates and checklists, worth A$3,600
View Standard →

Can't make a weeknight? The online course is A$999, any time. See the online course →

Online Crash Course

Access opens 12 January 2027. Watch the modules any time, at your own pace. About the Online Crash Course →
Online course
A$999

The whole course, any time

Can't make a weeknight? The same course as video modules, at your own pace.

  • The full crash course as video modules
  • The whole build in order: safety and budget, quotes, contracts, sequencing, site set-up, quality checks and hold points, handover
  • Watch any time, at your own pace
  • Your partner joins free
  • Quizzes to check what you've learned
  • Bonus build pack: 6 templates and checklists, worth A$3,600
View Online course →

Coaching

Start any time. Sessions are booked around your build. About coaching →
Our pick
Pro package
A$1,499

5 hours in person, at your location

If you want your instructor on your site, this is for you.

  • 5 hours in person at your location
  • Q&A on your build
  • Site visit and inspection
  • Help dealing with challenging issues
View Pro package →
Standard
A$300/hour

Coaching by the hour, on Zoom

If you have specific questions or a problem to solve, this is for you.

  • One-on-one on Zoom
  • Bring your plans, quotes, contracts or problems
  • Book an hour when you need one
View Standard →

Bigger job? Ask for a quote →

Just want your quotes checked? Quote check A$300, credited to the course →

Renovation Renovating instead? The Reno Crash Course: one Saturday on Zoom, plus a review of your own plans and quotes. A$799. See the Reno course →
What you get

The course, plus the tools to run your build.

Every crash course comes with the build pack: the templates and checklists your instructor uses on real builds, yours to keep.

ItemValue
CourseThe 6-week crash courseYour level

The whole build, in the order it happens: safety and budget, quotes, contracts, sequencing, site establishment, quality checks and hold points, variations and handover. Live on Zoom in 6 weekly classes, or as video modules you watch any time.

Bonus 1The Bank-Ready BudgetA$600Included

A budget and cash-flow planner: costs by stage, contingency and finance draws, laid out the way a lender wants to see them.

Bonus 2Trade Scope SheetsA$600Included

One scope per trade, so every quote prices the same job and nothing gets left out.

Bonus 3Quote Comparison SheetA$300Included

Line quotes up side by side and see what each one includes and leaves out.

Bonus 4Build Programme TemplateA$600Included

Your build week by week: the order of trades, the inspections, and what to order early.

Bonus 5The 100-Step Owner-Builder ChecklistA$300Included

Every approval, inspection, sign-off and hold point in Victoria, in the order they come up: the full version of our free 47-step list.

Bonus 6Site Safety PackA$1,200Included

OHS templates and safe work method statements (SWMS), ready to fill in for your site.

Build pack, included with every crash courseA$3,600

Each template is also sold on its own at the price shown. See the templates →

Your classroom

Recordings, templates and help, in one private place.

When you enrol you get an invite to your private classroom and community, on Skool.

  • Every class recording, with the notes and slides for each session
  • Your templates and checklists, ready to download
  • Ask your instructor and other owner-builders about your own build, any time
  • Your class times in a calendar, with a reminder the day before

Skool is a members-only app for courses and communities. It works on your phone and computer. Your partner gets their own invite.

The 6 sessions

The whole build, in the order it happens.

One session a week, two hours each, live, with time for your questions. Pick the Tuesday group or the Thursday group. The online course covers the same 6 topics as modules.

WeekWhat it coversTuesday groupThursday group
1Your build, safety and the budget: the owner-builder's job and legal duties, including site safety, where the savings come from, your cost plan, contingency and finance draws All 3Tue 12 JanThu 14 Jan
2Drawings, takeoffs and quotes: engineering, specifications and selections, scopes of work, and getting trades to price properly PM CATue 19 JanThu 21 Jan
3Contracts, the programme and sequencing: trade contracts, payment claims, retentions and insurance, then every trade in the right order, and lead times CA PMTue 2 FebThu 28 Jan
4Site establishment and the slab: fencing, site toilet, power, bins and signage, safe work method statements (SWMS), deliveries and the daily routine, then footings, pours and their hold points SMTue 9 FebThu 4 Feb
5Frame to fit-out and quality checks: quality checks and hold points at every stage: frame, lock-up, pre-plaster and waterproofing, and getting services and fit-out trades in the right order SM PMTue 16 FebThu 11 Feb
6Variations, defects and handover: pricing and recording changes, closing out defects, final inspection, occupancy permit and handover. Plus a review of your own build plan CA All 3Tue 23 FebThu 18 Feb
PMProject managerSMSite managerCAContracts administrator
Try-it-first guarantee

Try it first. The risk is ours.

Live Zoom Crash Course: Come to the first two classes. If it's not for you, tell us before the third and we'll refund everything you've paid.

Online Crash Course: Watch the first two modules. If it's not for you, tell us and we'll refund everything you've paid. Both cover every level, and your A$200 deposit is included in the refund.

Your instructor

Learn from someone on site this week.

A project manager with over 10 years running residential builds across Melbourne, including a $10M custom home in Toorak delivered in 13 months. Every session comes from what works on a live site.

10+ yrs
Running Melbourne builds
50+
Homes built, start to finish
13 mo
$10M home, slab to handover
52
Trade contracts on that build
Steel reinforcement laid out for a concrete slab.
Slab
Timber frame going up on the upper floor, with scaffolding.
Frame
Framed walls with insulation and ducting during services rough-in.
Services
A plastered room ready for fit-out.
Fit-out
The finished living room, furnished.
Handover

More about your instructor →

Enrolment

How it works.

  1. Talk to your instructorTell us where you're up to and when to call. Free, no obligation.
  2. We call youIn the next 20 minutes, or at the time you pick. Calls come from 0406 038 913.
  3. Choose your courseWe help you pick the right course and level for your build.
  4. DepositA A$200 deposit holds your place. On a crash course, pay it within 72 hours of your call and get a free 30-minute review of your plans and budget.
Questions

Before you apply

Live on Zoom or online: which should I choose?

Both cover the same ground. The live course is six weekly evening classes on Zoom where you can ask questions, and it includes the online course. The online course is video modules you watch any time, at your own pace.

Tuesday or Thursday?

The course runs as two groups with different people in each: a Tuesday group and a Thursday group. Pick the night that suits you when you apply.

Which level should I pick?

Pick the one that looks closest. On your call we'll talk through your build and confirm the right level before you pay anything.

What if I miss a live class?

The same content is in the online course modules, which come with the live course, so you can catch up any time.

Do I need building experience?

No. Everything starts with what an owner-builder is responsible for and builds up stage by stage. If you have renovated before, you will move faster.

Is this the government owner-builder test?

No. That's a free online assessment run by the Building and Plumbing Commission, and you'll still need to pass it yourself. This is about running the build.

Is it accredited?

No. It's independent. It isn't accredited, and it isn't affiliated with or approved by the Building and Plumbing Commission.

How do I pay?

There's nothing to pay to talk to us. After your call, a A$200 deposit holds your place and the rest is paid before you start. On a crash course, pay your deposit within 72 hours of your call and get a free 30-minute review of your plans and budget. See the course terms for the details.

What if it turns out not to be for me?

Live Zoom Crash Course: Come to the first two classes. If it's not for you, tell us before the third and we'll refund everything you've paid. Online Crash Course: Watch the first two modules. If it's not for you, tell us and we'll refund everything you've paid. Reno Crash Course: Stay for the first block on the Saturday. If it's not for you, tell us at the first break and we'll refund everything you've paid.

Live classes start 12 Jan

Learn it before your build, not during it.

Live on Zoom from A$1,999, or online from A$999. Every level of both courses comes with the build pack. Talk to your instructor first; there's nothing to pay until you're ready.

Talk to your instructor → Take the quiz first