Owner-Builder School Call
Live Zoom Crash Course · the main course

The owner-builder crash course, live on Zoom.

Six weekly evening classes, live on Zoom, on how to actually run a home build: the site, the trades, the contracts, the changes and the programme. Join the Tuesday group or the Thursday group, ask your questions live, and get the online course to watch any time.

When
Tue or Thu, 7–9 pm
Where
Live on Zoom
Dates
12 Jan – 23 Feb
From
A$1,999
Talk to your instructor → Choose your level ↓

Questions? Call 0406 038 913

A timber frame going up on a two-storey home, with scaffolding.
Frame stage on a $10M Toorak home your instructor project-managed
Choose your level

Three levels, one aim: a build you run well.

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.

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 →

The 6 sessions

The whole build, in the order it happens.

One class a week, two hours each, live, with time for your questions.

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 drawsTue 12 JanThu 14 Jan
2Drawings, takeoffs and quotes: engineering, specifications and selections, scopes of work, and getting trades to price properlyTue 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 timesTue 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 pointsTue 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 orderTue 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 planTue 23 FebThu 18 Feb
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.

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

How is this different from the Online Crash Course?

The live course is taught live on Zoom one evening a week, so you can ask questions as you go. The online course is the same content as video modules you watch any time. The live course includes the online course.

What if I miss a class?

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

Why a Tuesday group and a Thursday group?

The course runs twice, with different people in each group. Pick the night that suits you; you come once a week for six weeks.

Can my partner come too?

Yes, free, at every level of both crash courses: one other person building with you. Watch together, or from your own device.

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 Zoom Crash Course

Not sure which level?

Talk to your instructor. On the call we'll go through your build and confirm the right fit before you pay anything.

Talk to your instructor → Take the quiz first