Become the project manager, site manager and contracts administrator on your own job.
On a builder's job, three people run the build. When you owner-build, all three jobs are yours. Across 6 weekly evening sessions you learn each one, in the order your house gets built.
- When
- Tue or Thu, 7–9 pm
- How
- Live on Zoom or online
- Dates
- 12 Jan – 23 Feb
- From
- A$999
What you'll learn.
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
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
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
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.
| Week | What it covers | Tuesday group | Thursday group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your 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 3 | Tue 12 Jan | Thu 14 Jan |
| 2 | Drawings, takeoffs and quotes: engineering, specifications and selections, scopes of work, and getting trades to price properly PM CA | Tue 19 Jan | Thu 21 Jan |
| 3 | Contracts, the programme and sequencing: trade contracts, payment claims, retentions and insurance, then every trade in the right order, and lead times CA PM | Tue 2 Feb | Thu 28 Jan |
| 4 | Site 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 SM | Tue 9 Feb | Thu 4 Feb |
| 5 | Frame 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 PM | Tue 16 Feb | Thu 11 Feb |
| 6 | Variations, 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 3 | Tue 23 Feb | Thu 18 Feb |
The Reno Crash Course: one Saturday.
For extensions, second storeys and alterations to the home you live in. Five hours on Zoom in build order, then an hour going through your own plans and quotes. Saturday 30 January, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. A$799.
| Time | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 9:00–10:40 | Scope, permits and the reno budget: scoping the extension so trades price the same job, building permit and certificate of consent, contingency for what you find once the walls come off, staying in the house while you build |
| 10:50–12:30 | Demolition, tie-ins and trades: asbestos checks and when you need a licensed removalist, propping and protecting the existing house, joining the roof, floor and services to the old house, trade scopes, quotes and contracts |
| 1:00–2:30 | Sequence, inspections and handover: a programme that works around a lived-in home, hold points and inspections, waterproofing and matching finishes, defects and final sign-off, then questions on your own job |
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.
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.
A budget and cash-flow planner: costs by stage, contingency and finance draws, laid out the way a lender wants to see them.
One scope per trade, so every quote prices the same job and nothing gets left out.
Line quotes up side by side and see what each one includes and leaves out.
Your build week by week: the order of trades, the inspections, and what to order early.
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.
OHS templates and safe work method statements (SWMS), ready to fill in for your site.
Each template is also sold on its own at the price shown. See the templates →
Higher levels add the site video library, a site visit or time with your instructor. Compare the levels →
Learn how to build your own house.
Six weekly evening classes live on Zoom, in a Tuesday or Thursday group, or the same course online at your own pace. Taught by a project manager with over 10 years running Melbourne builds. Live from A$1,999, online from A$999, and every level comes with the build pack. Talk to your instructor first; there's nothing to pay until you're ready.