Learn to design and build your own buildings from the ground up!

all genders carpentry student using chop saw

We’ve had such an awesome experience with our Basic Carpentry Classes, that we decided to offer something to take graduates to the next level. This class builds on the foundation set in the basics class, where we cover how to use basic tools and design simple projects. Students in the advanced classes get to practice these skills and get really comfortable with them, as they apply those skills to a larger project. 

The all genders advanced carpentry class teaches students to build structures with confidence

Please note that our All Genders Advanced Carpentry Class geared toward students who have already taken one of our basic carpentry classes (Women’s Basic Carpentry or All Genders Basic Carpentry). Exceptions are occasionally made for students who have a mastery of safety and use of all of the tools covered in the basics classes. Visit the pages for the basics classes for more info on sessions and enrollment. 

 

all genders carpentry students building a foundation

Day 1: Creating foundations and footers

On our first stay together we’ll get to know each other and cover class logistics, then move right into our first project. Building on the online material on foundations, we’ll pour a concrete footer, learn about setting posts, and start working on a floor system. The class will divide into 2 groups, each group building it’s own shed, pole barn, or other small building. The rest of the day will be spent orienting to and working on this build.

men and women carpentry students installing a floor system

Day 2: Floors and getting started with walls

On our second day, we’ll continue with the shed floor and and get started cutting pieces of walls and learning layout. We might possibly start putting the wall together on this day.

male carpentry student building a wall

Day 3: Building walls

This day we will be continuing to work on stick framed or post and beam wall systems.

Day 4: More walls, plus rafters

We’ll complete our walls, work on wall sheathing, and cut our rafters on this day. 

Day 5: Putting on the roof

We will frame and put up our roof and continue sheathing the building. If the building calls for it and there is time, we might even install a window.

We work hard to assure a balance between breadth and depth. Meaning, our goal is that each student understands the big concepts and principles, while also growing competence in each step. Everyone will get to explore various different parts of the  projects, get their hands on a lot of tools, and feel a sense of satisfaction at the end of the class. Upon finishing the online and in person portions of the class, each student should have the skills to build a small shed or similar structure on their own.

Building Apprenticeship

This is a test

to learn about making beautiful columns so that people can peruse our site with ease and buy classes and everyone’s happy!

Online Lectures: Foundation, Floor, Wall, and Roof Systems, along with window installation

In order to make the most of our in-person time for hands-on learning, we provide the lecture portion of this class online. Within 1 week of registering for this class, you’ll receive access to an online lecture series covering foundations, floors, walls, and roof systems, along with window installation. In these in-depth discussions, you’ll learn the theory behind some of the most important parts of structural building. We request that students watch the lectures in preparation for the class. We do this so that everyone can come to class well prepared, and our in-class discussions can go well beyond the basics. You’ll have unlimited access to this material, so you can refer back to it as you embark on your own projects.

Learn at your own pace – Check out our Online Tiny House Academy

Online Tiny House Academy displayed on desktop computer, laptop and phone

Along with in-person building classes, we also offer an Online Tiny House Academy. It’s an excellent compliment to all of our building classes. The program includes a ton of how-to’s, along with an extremely comprehensive video library of tutorials, lectures, and demos. A bit of its content is included in the online portion of our All Genders and Women’s Advanced Classes, but the Online Tiny House Academy goes way beyond shed and pole barn building. It covers tiny house design, electrical, plumbing, siding, finish work like trim, and even gets into natural building. Folks who enroll in our advanced carpentry classes get a coupon for $200 off the Online Tiny House Academy, where you can learn to build a tiny house online. 

This class is held near Asheville, NC, at the Wild Abundance Paint Fork Campus

Our Paint Fork campus is a bustling creekside landscape with gorgeous mountain views, a breathtaking timber-framed pavilion classroom, and spacious covered open-air wood shops for learning building and carpentry in all weather, plus other lovely features. The Paint Fork campus is 30 minutes north of Asheville.

Please note: our campuses are all unconventional, with rustic amenities and uneven ground. Read more about Planning your trip and about our campuses. You’ll receive detailed directions on how to get here upon registration. 

Accommodations and Facilities

You’ve got several options of where to stay during your class. Some students camp, some locals commute, and others choose to rent accommodations with more creature comforts.

Onsite camping (with your own warm bedding and rainproof tent or hammock) is available for free to all students (including locals) during class. Some set-up-for-you tents are available with cots and cozy bedding for a flat fee. 

Campers and all students have access to a lovely outdoor kitchen equipped with a stove and hot and cold water, plus pots and pans, knives and cutting boards, bowls, plates, and utensils, along with an outdoor shower with hot and cold running water and an outhouse. If you’d rather rent a hotel, house or cottage, there are many available. We’ll share a curated list of nearby options once you’ve registered. 

Costs of different accommodations

So you can better plan your trip to come learn with us, here’s some info on accommodations we offer, or that we link to in the student handbook you’ll receive upon registration. Below it you’ll find info on transportation.

  • Camping with your own gear: free
  • Staying in a large tent with a cozy cot and bedding that we set up for you: $200 flat fee; you can stay there anytime from 5pm before the first day of your class, to 12pm the day after your class ends.
  • Hyper-local off-campus single rentals: $40-$2000/night + fees
  • Hyper-local off-campus couples rentals: $20-100/person/night + fees
  • Hyper-local off-campus group rentals: $25-$86/person/night + fees

Getting a place or renting a car with a group of fellow students and carpooling are great ways to make connections and reduce costs! We share contact info for each class so you can get in touch and make plans together. Everyone has a chance to keep their info private if they choose.

Transportation info and costs

You won’t need a car during your class. There’s a chance you may want to run an errand or go out to dinner with fellow students, and if this happens, it’s highly likely that another student with a car will be happy to give you a lift.

We’ve also got a list of folks who will do airport and grocery shuttle runs for $50-$80 each way. We share this information in the student handbook when you register. If you’d rather rent a car, those run anywhere from $45-$200/day. Just like with lodging, teaming up with a group of fellow students to share a car rental can help build connections and reduce costs. 

Pricing for All Gender’s Advanced Carpentry

Regular Pricing: $1,000 – $2,000

Please pay what you can afford.  The median price is suggested to help cover the full cost of hosting this class. Please select the low end of the sliding scale if you are low income. If your household income is over $115,000/year, please select the maximum fee. Please place yourself in this range where you deem appropriate, based on your income.