Get access to 25 years of design and building experience and knowledge via our online course and home building coaching.
Here's what this is all about
I have always wondered why home owners don't invest in coaching. Maybe its the cost. Maybe its ego. But the reality is that if you don't have experience in the world of architects and builders, more often than not you will find that you have in some way been fooled. Maybe deliberately. Maybe not. Maybe these people are focused on their own business first
What i want home owners to achieve is their new home dreams. To have the elation of achieving a goal successfully. Look at elite athletes - they have the skill and the physical characteristics to compete, but they all need a coach to guide, mentor and teach. Thats what I want for my clients. I want the elation of the coach of Ariarne Titmus when I see a successfule build.
This will take effort from you. But know that you have support behind the scenes guiding you and helping you avoid the pitfalls that so many people fll into when building. After all, this could end up saving you tens of thousands of dollars avoiding mistakes or not having to pay for something that should have already been done.
Experienced Professionals
You are buying the knowledge that over 25 years of design, building and project management experience brings.
Experience that has owned and run building companies, experience that has been gained working for some of the largest development and construction companies in Australia.
This experience has delivered new homes, renovations, multi unit developments valued at over $100m build value.
Its taken us 25 years to develop this knowledge and we are willing to share it with you to ensure your success.
Regular Project Check-ins
Every member is teamed up with a dedicated building coach at Fit To Build Academy. Schedule a fortnightly online 30-minute check-in to talk about your project goals face-to-face.
Think of it as personal training for your home building muscles.
Email Coaching
Have a question about what's happening in your project? Need a quick response?
Whether you have a small question about design or a big question about the builders responsibilities, your membership gets you email coaching.
Send us an email any time of day, and we’ll respond within 24 hours—guaranteed.
Access to our online training course
Every Fit To Build Academy member gets access to our online resources which includes video lessons for each building stage (pre-design, design, frame, lock up, fix and final).
We have templates for use which will help you deliver your project more effectively.
From online videos, to worksheets and checklists, tap into the resources that’ll help you with any goal.
Chris Huddart
Course Creator
I want home owners to have the knowledge and skill to effectively manage the design and construction of their new home. To feel confident and in control when building gets tough. Because it will!
Having worked in the building industry since 1994 as a draftsperson, designer, project manager and builder, this varied experience has given me a unique insight into how the industry operates. While teaching beginners I am still actively project managing over $80m worth of projects over 3 multi residential project developments.
I am a Registered Building Practitioner (RBP) with the Victorian Building Authority in the category of architectural draftsperson (DP-AD) and domestic builder (DB-U). I am a Director of 2 active companies - one that is purely design and project management where I manage projects on my clients behalf and the other focuses on the construction of projects where my business partner and I build multi residential townhouses and apartments.
My aim with this course is to ensure any home owner is educated and knowledgeable so YOU have the confidence to manage the build of YOUR home like a professional and avoid the mistakes that most "less educated" people will make.
Join me on the journey - it will take some hard work from you, but it will be fun I assure you!
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
How to design and build your home with the most effective step by step method
Across seven distinct course stages, you’ll learn all about:
The WHY of building:
You'll take the time to establish why you are building and create a vision that you will follow. You will learn why this is important when it comes to decisions you make and how the WHY affects all decisions through the project
The how and why of building and renovating:
You'll gain a deep perspective on how and why building and renovating works, the process that needs to be followed, how to select your project team and then what happens from beginning to end
Mastering the technical stuff:
I'll help you with learn the technical jargon, how to put the tender together and how to review a contract
A sneak peak of what's in the course
The ultimate guide to the process of managing the design and build of your dream home or renovation. A step by step guide to planning, managing and completing your project.
With 6 course modules including over 25 course videos and over 30 industry tested templates and worksheets, you will be able to build your knowledge and confidence to manage the architect and builder even if you have never done it before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this program for?
The program is for people that are prepared to learn, prepared to work hard and prepared to follow advice of experienced professionals. The program is designed for home owners that are renovating or knocking down and building new. Specifically the program is aimed at home owners that are custom building and are selecting and managing the builder themselves.
The information taught applies equally to custom design and building or volume building, as we take you through the whole building process. However if you are building with a volume builder you will not have as much control over the design and construction phases. As a result this is more suitable for those custom building or renovating.
When does the course start and finish?
As soon as you enroll you will be given access. The Intro Module and Modules 1 and 2 are on a set schedule because we want you to complete these first. Then you can access the rest all at the same time. And it is a completely self-paced online program - you decide when you start and when you finish. The sooner you start the sooner you will be on your way to a successful build.
How long do I have access to the program?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the program - can I get a refund?
Because you have access to every module when you sign up, this means we cannot offer you a refund.
Will learning this make a difference?
Absolutely. Without doubt.
Given that 69% of building projects run over budget by more than 10%, (KPMG 2015) the value of this course is in enabling you to avoid the mistakes that create these cost over runs. Most mistakes are made during the pre design and design phases so learning how to plan is the key to success.
I want to do the course, but think I should use this money in the build.
This is a reasonable position to take however your build costs / variations can quickly add up if you are making decisions from the wrong information.
I have seen people having to spend $1000s on redesign simply because they chose the wrong designer or $1000s during the build because the design was poor or the specification provided by the home owner was deficient.
Completing the course could save you 10 times the cost during the build and don't forget the peace of mind you will have when you understand the process and understand what the designer and builder are explaining to you. You won't have that feeling of being unsure or worried if you are being ripped off.
Why should I listen to you?
Coz I am a nice guy!?
Seriously, I have been working in the building industry for 25 years. Working in the design, building and project management fields has given me a unique insight into the way projects are run and why decisions are made and why some projects are successful and others are not.
I am a Registered Building Designer and Registered Domestic Builder in Victoria and currently have $100m worth of design and construction projects under my management.
Everything that is in this course has been developed over those years and I use the templates included in the course on my projects.
Can you guarantee me success?
Every time I start a project, I am not guaranteed of being successful. But what I guaranteed of is doing everything I can to put in place the right process and the right team to achieve my goals. I have to work hard, and not take shortcuts from beginning to end. So if you are prepared to work hard and implement what you learn, you will be guaranteeing yourself greater success than if you tried to do this without any help.