Course Offerings


1-Week Purely Post & Beam


In this one-week class we start with raw lumber, and in five days cut and raise a 24'x24' timber frame by hand. The days are spent designing, cutting, and raising a timber frame. You will learn to select, use, and care for a complete set of timber framing tools that you take home with you at the end of the course. After the sharpening workshop you'll be able to shave with your chisels. In five short days, you will turn fresh lumber into a carefully crafted house frame and leave knowing how to design and build your own. A hand picked timber framing tool kit comprised of the highest quality tools is included in this course. This is largely a hands on course and is timber frame focused.

2-Week Design Build


Intensive courses that provide you with extensive home building knowledge from site planning to foundations, insulation, engineering, design, wiring, plumbing, tool knowledge and the ability to Design and Build. Whether you have been dreaming of building a home or are already heavily involved in the building industry; the Design Build course will provide a new understanding of construction and confidence in your ability to complete a project. This is 70% lecture based, 30% hands on course. We have curated a collection of books and a hand picked tool kit that will be especially useful to you in your building endeavors and they will be included in this course. This is a building science course and is not timber frame focused.

3-Week Design Build and Purely Post & Beam


The first two weeks of this intensive course provides you with extensive home building knowledge from site planning to foundations, insulation, engineering, design, wiring, plumbing, tool knowledge and the ability to design, build & raise your home. Whether you have been dreaming of building a home or are already heavily involved in the building industry thus course will provide a new understanding of construction and confidence in your ability to complete a project.

In the last week of this course we start with raw lumber, and in five days cut and raise a 24'x36' timber frame by hand. The days are spent on site designing, cutting, and raising a timber frame. You will learn to select, use, and care for a complete set of timber framing tools, that are included with the course. After the sharpening workshop you'll be able to shave with your chisels. In five short days, you will turn fresh lumber into a carefully crafted house frame and leave knowing how to design and build your own. This is a combination of our Purely Post & Beam course and our Design Build course.

Course Dates & Sign Ups


April 1-5, 2024 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $2,800.00
Couple Tuition: $5,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: (Full)Enter Email to Join Waitlist

July 15-19, 2024 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $2,800.00
Couple Tuition: $5,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: (Full)Enter Email to Join Waitlist

October 7-11, 2024 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $2,800.00
Couple Tuition: $5,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: (Full)Enter Email to Join Waitlist

November 4-22, 2024 Design Build and Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $7,000.00
Couple Tuition: $12,000.00
Duration: Three Weeks
Registration Deposit: $1,400
Status: (Full)Enter Email to Join Waitlist

 

January 13-17, 2025 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $3,500
Couple Tuition: $6,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open

 

February 10-14, 2025 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $3,500
Couple Tuition: $6,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open

 

March 17-21, 2025 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $3,500
Couple Tuition: $6,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open

 

April 7-11, 2025 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $3,500
Couple Tuition: $6,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open

 

May 5-9, 2025 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $3,500
Couple Tuition: $6,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open

 

July 14-18, 2025 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $3,500
Couple Tuition: $6,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open

 

October 6-10, 2025 Purely Post & Beam

Single Tuition: $3,500
Couple Tuition: $6,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open

 

November 3-14, 2025 Design Build

Single Tuition: $5,000
Couple Tuition: $8,000.00
Duration: One Week
Registration Deposit: $800
Status: Open



Cancellation Policy
Tuition Deposit is applied to the total payment of the tuition as a deposit. This deposit is non-refundable. It can be transferred to an alternate class with no penalty one time. If a registration needs to be transferred a second time there is a $100 penalty deducted from the deposit. If the registrant cannot attend this third class date, the deposit is forfeited. Any changes to a registration must be made 30 days prior to class commencement or deposit is forfeited.
  • Pete Neidhardt
    After taking their Design & Build course, I had the confidence to build this timber frame house, from a version of their stock plans. And you will too.
    Pete Neidhardt
  • Chasen Gillies
    We drove thirteen hours through a blizzard to take the timber framing course and it was worth it. You can tell this family has been teaching people since the 70's. 70's?! These guys are great. I hope to be back to learn but just saying "HI" would be a win. They've probably mapped out every minute of the week for the students but it still feels relaxed. Best of all, I can say with confidence, I can build a house. A timber structure. And I will
    Chasen Gillies
  • Matt Anglin
    Excellent course on house building. Teaches about every aspect of house including good design principles.
    Matt Anglin
  • Laurie Palagyi
    Shelter is a phenomenal resource of skill, intelligence, and good people. I took the two week design/build course and it was wonderful. I left with the confidence to assess my own home and any future home that I may build or purchase. Shelter is the real deal.
    Laurie Palagyi
  • David H T Kane
    Instructors make sure their lectures are clear and understandable to the students. Great follow through.
    David H T Kane
  • Deborah Caldwell
    Nothing can beat the hands-on experience that my daughter and I enjoyed for three weeks at the shelter institute. I have kept in touch ever since. I am disappointed that I cannot leave a comment on Pats chainsaw videos. The system does not seem to acknowledge our presence.
    Deborah Caldwell
  • Enzo Talladira
    As a second generation carpenter/joiner Shelter Institute's online course is a must for all who are interested in Timber Framing and the enjoyment of life.

    I have found the team to be responsive, caring and helpful. A pleasure to deal with.
    Enzo Talladira
  • Kristina Rae Bolduc
    So far our online courses are phenomenal!!! We love Pat, Gaius, and Blueberry! Gabe is pretty awesome too!!
    Kristina Rae Bolduc

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