Builder Crash Course Curriculum

Builder Crash Course

The course focus on providing the most complete and comprehensive introduction and practical experience required for any builder to build their own home. Because our techniques apply to DIY and production housing - the techniques can also be used to start a business in affordable, ecological housing construction. We will build an absolutely complete home, 800 square feet in size, with interior and exterior finishing in only 2 weeks (pending a minimum of 24 workshop registrations). The focus is on homes that can be built on the human scale and flexibly so: either in the field or in a workshop, either in a DIY or industrial setting, using either off-the shelf or self-produced or natural materials, and either fully manually or with the assistance of heavy lifting machines, automation, and digital fabrication. Over the years, we have developed flexible, modular, and optimized construction techniques that allow an individual to build a home at about 30% lower cost - while including significant quality improvements in construction compared to standard production homes, and eco features not found in typical homes. This translates to starter homes of around 1000 square feet that can be built at $40k in materials, which include 6 kW of photovoltaics and ecological features. The intent is for anyone to build their own home at $40k in materials instead of paying the average price of $400k for a turnkey house in a subdivision.

And to make this absolutely real, we are launching a limited-time opportunity called the Financial Independence Package.

We are inviting 6 individuals or groups to stay for an additional 6 weeks following the Builder Crash Course to build their own 700-1200 square foot starter home - the same interior design as the Core Module of 800 square feet built in the Builder Crash Course. The extended size comes from further extension of the living room space of the basic model. The build takes place on-site, using our modular construction techniques. Participants will cover only the cost of materials—ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on selected features and size. Lower-cost builds may include basic finishing and no solar, while the higher end includes full interior finishing and a 6 kW photovoltaic system.

To qualify, participants are asked to contribute a modest amount of sweat equity: 6 days of build time assisting on Seed Eco-Home projects. This provides additional hands-on experience while supporting the broader learning community.

This is the first and only time we are offering the Financial Independence Package completely free of tuition to Builder Crash Course participants, as we launch this program and refine it for future cohorts.

On-site and off-site accommodations are available. Please inquire for lodging options and rates through our network of collaborating partners.

Financial Independence Package

To be considered, we are accepting groups of 2 people (or more) who must meet the following requirements. 1 person teams are also possible, but the person would need to be able to work by themselves - which is possible for people with more stamina and grit.

• Completed participation in the Builder Crash Course
• Commitment to participate on-site for 6 additional weeks following the completion of the Builder Crash Course.
• Ability to fund your own material costs ($20k–$50k, depending on chosen features and number of people working for the level of finish desired). We lalidate your chosen bill of materials to conform with an admissible part list, and we source all the materials collaboratively with you from ready, off-the-shelf sources such as Menards or Home Depot.
• Willingness to contribute 1 day of labor each week (6 days total) to Seed Eco-Home community builds
• Demonstrated alignment with the open source, collaborative, and ecological mission of the program
• Strong interest in achieving financial independence through hands-on building and entrepreneurship
• Readiness to participate in documentation, feedback, and exit interviews to help improve the program. Participants are expected to keep an open build log and data collection throughout their build.
• Acceptance through a short application process including a personal statement and basic build intent and materials selection particular to your build.
• Willingness to participate in video/photo documentation for educational and promotional purposes
• A deposit (e.g., $1,200 refundable upon completion) to confirm your commitment and secure your spot. If you decide to leave early without completing your house, or do not show up at all, you forfeit your deposit.

How it Works

Participants must have a site to which we transport the finished house, with a simple foundation ready to accept the house. We will advise the participant on the choice of foundation to build. The foundation is the responsibility of the builder. OSE can help transport the building using a 40' trailer, or another company can be hired.

During 6 weeks, there is approximately 300 hours of build time. This is sufficient to produce '300 modules' at 1 hour each - a conservative estimate. This is absolutely ample time for the build of a shell with walls, floors, roof, siding - but the real challenge is how much finishing work can be done in that time.

The participant will build 2 modules - 10x20 feet in size. These will be the more complex kitchen, bathroom, and utility modules. We expect all structure and utilities to be finished for a fully-functioning house. But that adds up to only 400 square feet. For 800 square feet, the participant will build additional wall and other modules that can be installed readily at their site. There is also an option to build more of the 10x20 modules at our site - which would require more than one trailer to tranport to the final site.

We will use a telehandler to load these on a 40 foot trailer. Along with these, we can load up a number of other modules. Each 10x20 module will be around 6000 lb in weight. The total weight of the house would be around 21000 lb - as living room modules are lighter than the more complex modules that include the kitchen and bathroom.