Consulting And Support Packages

Building and contracting your own house is undoubtedly a rewarding experience, but it can be overwhelming as well. There are so many details to keep track of and many of those details are specific to straw bale construction so even a seasoned architect or contractor used to working on conventional homes may not be able to properly direct you in the process.

Tackling the project alone may feel like too much for you. After all, we all need help from time to time, and building a house is certainly one of those times. Let me help you shorten your learning curve to save you time, and budget, and achieve the results you are seeking. Below are four of my most popular consulting packages. I believe these options offer you the best chances of success with your build, remodel, or project planning.

Perhaps you need some help making sure your plans are in order for the easiest most cost-effective and highest quality construction of your home. Maybe you want help training a crew to do the baling, plaster prep, or even the plastering itself. Or perhaps you plan to do the majority of the building and contracting yourself but you want security, comfort and access to an expert for the duration of the project.

If you plan on building a straw bale house, either by yourself or with a contractor unfamiliar with straw bale construction, I believe you will find a package here to help you achieve the success you are after without the stress that often accompanies construction projects. Spots are limited in each consulting package and given on a first-come, first-served basis.

– Timbo

Timbo Scursso, Strawbale Construction Consultant

Timbo Scursso

teacher | designer | craftsman

Learn more about my construction background and design approach, plus portfolio in this 3-minute blog.

Hourly Consulting

Have questions about your straw bale project but don’t need a full consulting package? Keep your project on track by scheduling an hour of Q&A specific to your goals! 

With 20+ years of straw bale design-build experience and a lifetime of conventional construction, I can help with all your straw bale questions about baling, plastering issues, framing, foundations, contracting, construction plans, code, zoning, and everything in between.

Choose the best fit for your needs – either a phone call or a video call using Google Meet. (The video call is great if you’d like to show me concept drawings, plans, tour existing structures, share examples, etc.) Additional hours can be purchased should you feel that you need a bit more time.

$150 per hour

Plans Review

Benefits

A full review and evaluation of your Architectural Plans and/or Construction Documents allow us to catch mistakes before they happen in the field. A plan evaluation and review of your straw bale wall system of choice in the context of your design is a great investment in the success of your project.

Even if you’ve hired a professional to design your plans for you, if they don’t have a lot of experience with straw bale, it is not uncommon for the plans to be riddled with redundant, archaic, or time-wasting construction techniques.

Catching issues in the plans BEFORE you start building will save you significant amounts of money and time. Furthermore, once plans are approved, the building department can require you to build the structure “as drawn,” so even if you catch the mistakes, it may be too late to make changes.

Turnaround time varies (mostly around workshop travel!) from 2-4 weeks. For questions on a Plans Review or availability, email me at [email protected]

Have Concept Drawings but not yet full Architectural Plans and/or Construction Documents (these include details on the straw bale wall system)? No problem, book an Hourly Consultation (see above), saying you’d like to review Concept Drawings before having your Construction Documents drawn and bring your questions to the consult. We’ll keep your project moving!

$500

3-Day On-site Training

This is perfect if you… Plan on contracting out the baling portion of the build to a construction professional that doesn’t have a lot of experience with straw bale building. – OR – If you plan to bale the structure yourself with the help of friends and family but aren’t 100% confident about how to actually do it. 

Professional Crew Training – The techniques I teach are based on designing and building straw bale houses for +18 years. Over time I have streamlined the process and come up with new techniques to increase job efficiency. The money that you will save by educating your baling crew with these time-saving techniques will more than pay for the Crew Training Package.

DIY, Friends, & Family Group Guidance – Using the same approach as training a professional crew, I can teach your group how to bale with confidence and efficiency. It’s like having your very own private workshop with just your friends and family!

Included

On-site, I work with you, your team, and/or crew leaders for three full (3) days to get them fully prepared for the work ahead. They learn, hands-­on, how to bale from start to finish and how to complete the preparations for plaster. In some cases, we can actually apply the first coat of plaster.

We work on a specific, predetermined wall section and prepare it fully so that each member of the crew has first-hand experience with how the systems work. Experiencing the process first-hand helps to surface any areas of confusion and answers those ‘millions’ of questions that can arise to build confidence in their understanding of the construction details.

You also receive one (1) month of consulting in this package, including access to me via email, video calls, and phone calls. I respond to emails and phone calls within 24 hours, Monday-Friday (except during holidays or if out of phone/internet range). A faster response time is possible if an emergency is noted. Video calls are scheduled in advance. If you feel that you need a bit more time, additional hourly consulting is offered at a discounted rate. 

Have a group larger than 10 participants? We recommend adding a second instructor to ensure everyone is 100% confident in their skills and has personalized attention for their questions. The second instructor is $500 per day (travel and workshop flat day rate.)

For questions on 3-day On-site Training, email me at [email protected].

$2,900

Custom Support Packages

This is perfect if you are looking for easy access to an expert who is familiar with your project and can answer questions along your construction process to keep your project moving. 

First Time Owner-Builder – The advice I share is based on designing and building straw bale houses for +18 years and a lifetime of conventional construction. When you run into challenges, or are unsure on the next steps, I can help you to keep your project on track.

New to Straw Bale Construction – Whether you are a professional builder, have a few fix-n-flips under your belt, or have taken a workshop or two; building with straw bale wall systems and natural plasters can still feel a bit edgy. Often all that is needed is a few key questions answered at vital steps to take your build from a ‘learning project’ to looking (and feeling!) like a straw bale pro project. 

Potential Inclusions

Looking for support throughout your entire project? That’s a fair request; there are a huge amount of decisions to be made from start to finish with ripple effects on each choice. BUT it is 100% possible to successfully complete a gorgeous straw bale home; we see it happen all the time. To help folks succeed in their straw bale endeavor, I can offer guidance with all aspects of the job from design, to permit approval, to final plaster having been a contractor for over 20 years. 

Custom packages include access to me via email, video calls, and phone calls. I respond to emails and phone calls within 24 hours, Monday-Friday (except during holidays or if out of phone/internet range). A faster response time is possible if an emergency is noted. Video calls are scheduled in advance.

If your custom consulting package includes a site visit or on-site training, my travel and lodging expenses are not included in the package price and are paid by the client. Should outside design and/or engineering adjustments need to be made, said “extra” costs are forwarded to the client. The client shall approve of all “extra” costs prior to executing the suggested work.

For questions on how we might work together to support your straw bale construction project, email me at [email protected].

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