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Shelter Institute is a timber-frame and post-and-beam school on US-1 in Woolwich, Maine, that teaches people to design and build their own homes; the company says it has been doing so since 1974 and reports 52 years in business. Alongside the courses it runs a store, and a 2023 reviewer recommended stopping in to browse its book collection. It also takes hired work: in a 2016 Houzz review, one client said Shelter supplied a post and beam frame with second-story flooring and a roof, that a P.E. on staff analyzed and approved changes, and that the client hired Shelter again to design and build a second structure, finished in the summer of 2015. A 2024 Reddit commenter said Shelter can be hired for engineered plans accepted under the Maine building code. Google shows 4.8 stars from 26 ratings and Houzz 5.0 from 3. A July 2026 reviewer who took both the Purely Post & Beam and Design & Build courses called the instructors world-class and said the team breaks complex building down into understandable principles. A March 2026 reviewer said the one-week Purely Post & Beam course ended with the class raising a high-quality timber frame structure and leaving with a set of tools. Another July 2026 reviewer said that at the end, the staff welcomed the whole class into their homes for a shared meal. On Reddit's timber-frame forum, several past students recommend the course. A May 2026 commenter put Shelter at $4,500 with tools included. Cost comes up as a caution: a 2024 commenter said Shelter's prices were significantly higher than the other two schools being compared, and a 2025 commenter called it a bit pricey while adding "Nothing against them." A 2025 commenter said its classes sell out fairly quickly. A 2024 reviewer suggested the two-week Design & Build course had lots of students for one teacher, so not every question got answered. In a 2023 r/maine thread, a commenter said Shelter has been around a long time and is solid.
“shelter institute speaks to me if only because their online presence is so good and their videos so professional.”
“Then shelter is 4500 and comes with tools.”
“I took the Shelter Institute Post and Beam class thirty some years ago and learned so much.”
“Having done the in person course in 2024, it is 100% worth it to set your skills baseline.”
“Is shelter institute a gi bill accredited institution?”
Catherine and Leanne are very welcoming and professional. The information they provided on the classes on offer helped me gain momentum as regards a decision-making process. Thank you all for informing me as to the products and classes on offer here. Much appreciated.
This is a great place to find chisels, saws, blades, and lots of other sharp tools. It's a must stop for the woodworker in your family.
Over the last year, I’ve taken both the Purely Post & Beam and Design & Build courses, and together they’ve fundamentally changed how I think about building. The team at Shelter has an incredible ability to break down what might seem overwhelmingly complex into a set of understandable principles. By the end, you don’t just know what to do—you understand why you’re doing it, and that changes everything. The instructors are world-class. They’re true craftsmen, exceptional teachers, and deeply generous with their knowledge. Everyone on the team genuinely wants you to succeed, and that comes through every day of the course. Don’t hesitate. Shelter Institute is one of those rare places that changes how you think while giving you the skills, the confidence, and the community to build something remarkable.
I had a great experience and I recommend the course to anyone who has ever thought about timber frame construction. This has been one my list of must do's. I am so glad I had the time and oportumity to learn from these good folks. A very personal hands one friendly environment. In the end, they welcomed the whole class into their homes and we all shared a great meal and time together. Wish I had done this 20 years ago.
I ordered tools off of their website a month in advance of when I would need them to be included in a package. I am shipping across country. Within just a few hours, I had shipping confirmation and a delivery date for the next day. I live in Maine and I’m very close so I did not expect a long wait but still very impressed. Thank you.
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1 change recorded — last scanned Oct 17, 2026.
Typical your area range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Shelter Institute. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
A typical single-level deck is 12×16 — about 200 sq ft.
Estimated range
$7,750 – $14,500
Typical carpentry project around $11,100
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