You've got a reno project sitting on the backburner.
You're keen to do a chunk of it yourself — but you're not sure where to start, what you can actually take on, how to manage your own trades, or what it's all going to cost.
No previous experience needed. Just the right guidance.
That's exactly what a consult with Ben at The Carpentry Classroom will sort out.
You'll walk away with a clear plan to get started, a realistic budget and timeframe, clarity on what you can do yourself, and everything you need to bring your reno to life.
Here's what you might be stuck on:
You might be keen to get stuck into your reno — but you're not sure where to actually start.
You don't know what you can legally DIY and what needs a licensed trade.
You're not sure which trades you need, let alone what order they come in.
The idea of managing your own trades feels overwhelming.
And you have no idea what a realistic budget even looks like.
So the project sits. And sits. And you're stuck on how to bring it to life without handing over the reins to a builder.
A consult with Ben starts with your project.
What you want to achieve, what you're willing to take on yourself, and what your budget actually looks like. Then builds a clear plan around it — so every decision you make from here is the right one, in the right order, at the right time.
Most people jump straight to demolition before anything is actually planned. That's where projects stall, trades get held up, and costs blow out.
A proper plan changes all of that. You'll work through a 10-stage framework covering everything from design and budget to trades, timeline, and completion. So when the first trade rocks up, everything is ready for them — and nothing is wasted.
These 3 clients all had renovation goals but were stuck on where to start. Here's what they said after just one consult:
"Hi Ben, Thanks for the consultation, it was great! Really gave me the confidence I needed. The packages sound like a great idea as I'm sure many like myself would value check ins at different stages of a renovation."
"Hi Ben, Thanks mate was great to meet you. I have a much clearer idea now and can now lock in plans to move forward."
"Hey Ben, Thanks heaps for sending the info through. Looking forward to going over it and starting the process! Thanks again for your time the other day. Was really helpful!"
Whether we're video chatting or face to face, I'll take you through the same framework and you'll have plenty of time to talk through your goals, ask questions, and put together a solid plan to get your reno started.
A small group consult covering every stage of your reno — the right order, the right trades, and a clear plan to get moving.
1:1 video consult with Ben where you share photos, plans and your desired outcomes — together, you'll map out a clear plan to get started.
I come to you and we walk through your renovation goals together, making a solid plan to move forward.
Everything you need to run your reno without me. Workbook, checklists, and trackers.
The same 10-stage framework applies across every type of home renovation. Bathrooms are first up. Kitchens, laundries and whole-house renos are next. Make sure you're signed up for our emails to know when Group Consult doors are open.
The goal of every consult is simple — leave with a clear plan to get your renovation started, manage it yourself with confidence, and save time and money along the way.
Hey, I'm Ben. I currently work as a Supervisor Carpenter with over 18 years on the tools.
I started The Carpentry Classroom for two reasons.
The first — I kept getting asked by people who were keen to get stuck into a reno but felt lost on where to start, what order to do things in, and how much of it they could actually take on themselves. Or they'd get stuck mid-project, hit a problem they didn't know how to solve, and it would cost them time, money, or both. Some were getting ripped off simply because they didn't know what questions to ask or what to look out for.
The second — I'd rather teach someone the skills to plan and manage their own project than do it for them. Because that knowledge sticks. And there's nothing quite like the feeling of standing in a finished space and knowing you had a real hand in making it happen.
The Carpentry Classroom exists to give people access to genuine carpentry advice — without the cost of hiring a builder or handing the whole project over to someone else.
This is for people who are keen to get stuck into their reno project — whether that's doing as much of the hands-on work as possible themselves, managing their own trades, or both. You've got a vision for what you want to achieve and a bit of an idea of how to get there — you just need the right guidance to make it happen properly. If you're looking for someone to hand the whole project over to, this isn't for you. But if you want to be in control of your own project and just need an experienced set of eyes to point you in the right direction — this is exactly for you.
All of them. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and whole-house renovations. The 10-stage framework applies across the board: the right order, the right trades, the right questions to ask.
No. Plumbing, electrical, and waterproofing legally require licenced trades. The consult covers what to expect from them, what to ask, and how to know if they've done it right.
Two options. Online 1:1 ($300): private 60-min video call, anywhere in Australia. In-Home Consult ($500): 2-hour on-site visit, metro Melbourne only.