Straw Bale Construction Workshop Sandpoint, ID

It is if…

• You don’t want to be that person that says “How hard can it be?” and then becomes the cautionary tale amongst your friends and family.

• You’re an experienced builder but want to learn all the nuances & ins and outs of straw bale construction.

• You want to save money by building your own straw bale house yourself but also want to avoid costly mistakes.

• You’ve already designed your home, or even started to build. Now you’re running into a lot of questions and challenges and aren’t sure how to move forward.

• You've never built anything before and don't know if you're insane for even considering building your own straw bale house.

• Like many of our alumni, you love the idea of spending a week contributing to someone’s homeplace dream surrounded by like minded folks, enjoying good food, laughs, and the satisfaction of a solid day of work and learning well-done.

Learn more about topics covered on this page > Click here.

StrawBale.com has been empowering people to build their own beautiful straw bale homes since 2004. Over the years, thousands have gained confidence and skill through our hands-on workshops. The experience proves that with passion, focus, and guidance, nearly anyone can handcraft their own straw bale home.

Our mission is to offer the highest quality instruction and resources so you can save time, money, and peace of mind as you build. We’re glad you’ve found us and look forward to supporting you on your journey toward your dream home.

Learn alongside Timbo, your lead instructor and longtime straw bale designer and builder. With over two decades of experience, Timbo brings practical know-how, patience, and a deep love for teaching. He’ll be joined by guest mentor Dainella, whose energy and organizational skills help make each workshop a welcoming and productive experience for everyone.

Learn more about Timbo and Dainella here

• Buy two hands-on workshop seats in a single order

• The purchaser receives a participant registration form by email after checkout

• Check the Home Design Workshop Series box to enroll both attendees at no cost ($280 each)

• Valid for any 3-day or 7-day workshop order

Your purchase information is protected and secure. We do not share this information. Orders are processed through secure servers and our merchant service providers are PCI/CISP certified (the highest level of internet security available) to secure your personal data. 

One Registration per Participant.

To support your learning process,all of the Participant-only Workshop Learning Materials are shared with you at the time of purchase, whether you pay using a Payment Plan option or Pay In Full. These are delivered to the email address you use at purchase.

Tuition and Deposits are nonrefundable. Because organizing these events is a significant undertaking with many moving pieces, and planning, and involves many people, over months and often years, we maintain this policy. 

That said, if you are unable to attend the workshop location and date that you originally selected, we will gladly work with you to transfer, or credit, your tuition towards a future workshop (assuming there is a future workshop.)  You must contact us before the start date of your initially scheduled workshop purchase for this credit to be issued. Your tuition credit would be valid for one (1) year from the start date of your original workshop. Alternatively, you can transfer your tuition to another person to attend in your place if that is your preference.

What happens if the workshop is canceled? This is something that we work hard to avoid and is rare in the overall schedule of events. That said, because there are elements of the workshop that are outside of our control (acts of God, COVID, etc.), there is always a slight chance that it could happen. If it were to occur, we would offer you the following options to choose from:

1. Switch your tuition to another workshop location in the current year’s schedule. 
2. Transfer, or credit, your tuition to a location in the following year’s schedule.
3. Receive a full refund for your tuition. Cancellation of a workshop is the only situation in which the non-refundable tuition becomes refundable.

*You can register with a Deposit-Only payment to hold your spot in the workshop. Your remaining balance is due 30 days before your workshop start date.

Deposit payments are non-refundable, just like Pay-in-Full registration payments. See Purchase Details for more information.

If you have any questions, contact us at info@strawbale.com.

Of course! We want you to be 100% comfortable in your choice to join in the workshop fun. Sometimes folks have questions about food, travel, tools, camping, etc and we know it’s impossible to list every question on a website! You can choose a time to chat on a call with me, Timbo here. 😊 Or email info@strawbale.com

20+ years of straw bale specific design-build experience and a lifetime of general construction. Get your questions answered by someone who not only designs, but understands how it all goes together in the field! See Timbo’s design-build portfolio here.

Custom designs that work! Tested over years of workshops and available for DIY building, or take the drawings to your local welding shop. Learn more here.

Easy reference guides for your toolbelt for where you need them most... When you're out there doing the work on your own build, or helping a friend out! Provided in downloadable pdf files.

A Modern Look At Straw Bale Construction covers the best details for a high-quality straw bale build in 214 pages (with over 100 color images). Downloadable. Learn more here.

10+ hours of instruction by Andrew Morrison on:

• Concrete Foundation

• Framing

• Post And Beam

• Load Bearing

• Lime Plastering

Learn more here.

"Be Your Own Contractor"

Video series, hosted and taught by Andrew Morrison

22-Page Instant Download Booklet

On-site tent/car camping site is provided and some workshops have room for RVs as well (email us at info@strawbale.com asap if you need RV space so we are sure to set a spot aside for you!) Host-provided meals are hearty, delicious fuel and we often hear feedback that the meals are a highlight for folks. Showers are typically privacy screened outdoor-style with on-demand heaters and/or indoor. Hosts always do an amazing job of making participants feel welcome and cared for!

One person, or Participant, per paid registration please.

A Participant is an individual who joins the workshops' learning activities, including lectures, evening talks, and hands-on skills.

Due to capacity and safety reasons, we must limit the number of Participant spots.

Please ensure the number of registrations in your Cart exactly matches the number of Participants you are registering.

Yep. The below topics are discussed in depth with “on the spot” lectures and question-and-answer sessions. Your questions on these or related topics are welcome and encouraged; they always bring value for the whole group!

These discussions are rich information exchanges. Specific topics covered in the lectures are inspired by the work taking place on the building; however, other topics are often raised, such as:

• Design Criteria

• Engineering Options

• Foundation Options

• Running a Job Site Efficiently

• Scheduling Sub Contractors

• Acting as the General Contractor

• Complete Owner Builder Techniques

• Straw Bale Construction Details

• Plastering Techniques and Materials

• Green Building Materials

• Other Aspects of Green Construction in Your Home

Plus, as a community, there is is always deep group experience and knowledge shared over meals and around the evening campfire.

The days are full and long. We will start each morning with breakfast at 8 am and we begin Q&A/Lecture/hands-on work at 9 am. We break for a leisurely lunch around 1 pm, our afternoons continue the hard work of the morning, and end the work day by 6 pm.

Dinner is usually around 7 pm. We usually eat pretty close to that time, but some flexibility is appreciated. Our dinner and evening break is full of fun and play.

Although physical work is involved in building the structure, participants are encouraged to work at their own pace. You know your limits, and those limits are respected.

Our goal is to get as far as possible in the construction of the building, from setting bales to plastering. In most cases, we will not get beyond the scratch (first) coat of plaster.

Folks hang out to be social, grab showers, or relax between the end of the workshop day and dinner. When fire restrictions allow, we have campfires and we encourage folks to bring their instruments and willingness to play together for the friendly group!

You’re welcome to arrive the day before the start of the workshop to get set up; anytime after 2 pm is ok. We’ll finish up no later than 4 pm on the final day of the workshop to help with travel. Once again, you’re welcome to stay for another night if that makes your travel plans easier.

It is truly unique to be learning on an active construction site (Thank you Hosts!), and we embrace that as instructors. You’ll see us model transparency around decision-making, the common change-orders of home construction, working around subs, etc. We are open books, because we want YOU to experience what really IS to best prepare you for your own projects!

Feel free to bring whatever other tools you would like than what is listed below. If you have something you think would be useful, you’re welcome to bring it. We understand how nice it can be to use tools you are familiar with or want to learn more about!

Required Tools & Equipment

• Plaster hawk*

• Plaster pool trowel (round edges - best for beginners) or finish trowel (square edges) 4” wide x 12”-16” best *(no notched trowels)

• Utility knife

• Tape measure*

• Hammer*

• Safety glasses

• Dust mask

• Hearing protection

• Work gloves

• Closed toe boots/shoes for job site

• Sharpie and/or carpenter’s pencil

• Plate, bowl, cup, silverware, water bottle, hot beverage mug

• Sun hat and sunscreen

*If flying in and challenged on packing space, or are new to construction and don’t have these items, email Timbo at info@strawbale.com.

Suggestions of What to Bring

• Sleeping bag & pad and tent, if camping

• Long sleeve shirt for arm protection

• Long pants

• Swimsuit (you never know!)

• Rain gear (just in case)

• Towel and toiletries (Skin cream for dry plastering hands is nice)

• Hiking shoes/boots

• Flashlight/headlamp

• Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen

• Folding camp chair

• Musical instruments (for evening!)

• Carpenter’s apron/tool belt

• White vinegar (small amounts to neutralize lime plaster in cuts)

• Notebook and pen/pencil

• Knee pads (highly recommended!)

• Evening camp clothes

• Camera

• Extra snacks (just in case, ‘cause, you know, snacks are great!)

Camping is available on-site for free, and bathroom facilities are provided, including showers. We ask that showers be kept to a minimum in both duration and frequency to save water and to make sure that every participant has the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower. Usually the showers are an outdoor style with privacy and a changing stall per shower included.

Some workshop locations may have other accommodations available, such as cabins or tipis. Those accommodations are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and may or may not cost extra based on the workshop host/site.

There may also be room for RVs at some workshop locations!

In most cases, we can accommodate serious food restrictions, such as, gluten-free, lactose intolerance, peanut allergy, vegetarian, etc. (To be kind to the Hosts, who always pour their heart into providing delicious, nourishing meals, please note that this doesn’t mean things like: “I don’t like Brussel Sprouts.”)

Be sure to let us know ASAP any requirements you have so we can see what’s possible. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate every need, but we will do our best to do so. Email Dainella at info@strawbale.com with questions. :)

Airline tickets are often less expensive the earlier you buy them, so we understand the desire to buy early. That said, we recommend that people buy their tickets no earlier than 30 days prior to the start of the workshop.

At this time we will connect everyone in the group together in an email and with a group survey to help coordinate ride-sharing. Often, folks will also be open to sharing off-site accommodations with others who don’t wish to camp or are flying in. If you have questions, feel free to email Dainella at info@strawbale.com for a chat.

You are most welcome to arrive after 2pm the afternoon of the day before the workshop and stay over on the last night after the class ends if that helps your travel plans.

You are welcome to stay on-site or at a hotel. It’s up to you. It is always a mix at every workshop!

In most cases, that’s fine. We ask that non-participating Guests pay for their food: $320 for 15+ years old and $245 for 14 and under.

In some cases, there will not be enough space in the Group Meals, or on-site, as the hosts sometimes “max out” in terms of food preparation numbers or site facilities, so please ask us asap. The earlier we know, the more likely we are to help accommodate guest requests.

Kids are welcome to join us as Guests or Participants, depending on their age. We require that the parents/guardians take full responsibility for the kids and their safety.

Contact Timbo at info@strawbale.com to coordinate so we can help ensure the best experience for them.

Keep in mind that it is an active construction site and, therefore, inherently dangerous. We trust parents/guardians will make the choice appropriate for their kids.

Kids under 12 cannot be left unattended, so a non-participating adult must accompany them. If you plan to bring your children, please contact us in advance to work out the arrangements.

When kids come as non-participating guests that are joining in group meals, but not participating in the workshop learning and activities, we ask that the parents/guardians pay for their food so that it’s not an extra financial burden for the hosts. The fee is forwarded 100% to the hosts. The costs are $245 for up to 14 years old and younger and $320 for 15+.

Supervising adults not attending as paid Workshop Participants will also be charged the 15+ food contribution of $320.

If the kids will be participating in the workshop, then they would pay a normal registration fee which already includes meals.

Guests and Supervising Adults/Guardians must sign a waiver and agreement to be present on the property during the workshop.

Tuition is nonrefundable. Because organizing these events is a significant undertaking with many moving pieces, and planning, and involves many people, over months and often years, we maintain this policy. 

That said, if you are unable to attend the workshop location and date that you originally selected, we will gladly work with you to transfer, or credit, your tuition towards a future workshop (assuming there is a future workshop.)  You must contact us before the start date of your initially scheduled workshop purchase for this credit to be issued. Your tuition credit would be valid for one (1) year from the start date of your original workshop.

Alternatively, you can transfer your tuition to another person to attend in your place if that is your preference.

Absolutely. The level of work performed on the site is entirely up to you. We have had people come and limit their physical work to sweeping up the job site and tidying up. That plays a critical safety role in the workshop and is more helpful than you might imagine! They learned a ton and had a great time.

Every workshop is different, but the goal is always to have a large enough class to allow people to work at a reasonable pace and be safe.

We want you to have fun, learn, take notes, ask questions, move around to a variety of tasks to learn skills, and feel like you can take a break when necessary.

To give you an idea, technically “full” varies per workshop from 20 to 40 and depends on the size of the project and terrain for safety reasons.

Again, it’s not about keeping you flat-out busy all week. It’s about allowing you to learn at your pace and have fun all week while still contributing work to create a beautiful home for the workshop host — who has welcomed us all to the rare experience of learning on an active, no-artiface job site!

This is something that we work hard to avoid and is rare in the overall schedule of events. That said, because there are elements of the workshop that are outside of our control (acts of God, COVID, etc.), there is always a slight chance that it could happen. If it were to occur, we would offer you the following options to choose from:

1. Switch your tuition to another workshop location in the current year’s schedule. 
2. Transfer, or credit, your tuition to a location in the following year’s schedule.
3. Receive a full refund for your tuition. Cancellation of a workshop is the only situation in which the non-refundable tuition becomes refundable.

As much as we love dogs... To be fair to the Host’s neighbors with dogs who might get overly excited about visitors, we ask that you leave your furry friends at home. If you have a therapy dog, please reach out to us at info@strawbale.com.