Carpentry & Timber Framing

No. SBWI’s Timber Framing program is designed to meet students at their current skill level. Students begin with fundamentals such as measuring, marking, tool use, safety, blueprint reading, and basic carpentry before moving into timber frame joinery, roof framing, stair framing, mass timber, and more advanced structural work.

General carpentry includes a wide range of building skills such as measuring, layout, stick framing, roof framing, stair framing, tool use, jobsite safety, and material estimating. Timber framing is a specialized form of carpentry focused on large wooden beams, traditional joinery, structural layout, and timber frame construction. SBWI’s program teaches both.

A degree is awarded from a college or university. It would typically require several general education courses in subjects unrelated to the students chosen career path.

A professional diploma is awarded by a specialized school with the primary focus. This approach allows students to focus on building more specific skills rather than spending time on general education.

SBWI is a specialized trade school.

Yes. Anyone, regardless of background or experience. We accept all levels from complete beginners to experienced professionals looking to further their education and resume.

Students of the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute come from all walks of life. They are veterans, high-school students & graduates, college students, professors, white collar professionals, farmers, all with diverse backgrounds.

Everyone has the common desire to learn new skills and become more self sufficient through the art of wood. Students of SBWI become life-long friends, sharing the unique experience of creating.

We do not have on-campus housing, but there are shared houses with bedrooms available to rent for SBWI students. There are also many rental apartments and houses available in Adrian, and there is a list available of SBWI students looking for a roommate as well.

SBWI provides wood and other supplies needed for each project. Projects that require hardware have a hardware allowance. Tuition includes a 1 year subscription to SketchUp. Students do not need to purchase books, as all materials for the class are available in the student portal. There is a Hand Tool List that each student is required to purchase before the beginning of class. The tools do not have to be the exact brand on the list, but they do need to be high-quality. So if you already have a Stanley or Lee Valley hand plane, that is completely fine. Students who order tools from Blue Spruce Toolworks, Lee Valley, Lie-Nielsen, and Barr Tools can receive a discount. The hand tools are the property of the student.

Student loans are not available for this program, but our students have used private loans in the past to offset tuition and living costs. We do accept GI Bill and Veteran Readiness and Employment funding, and we also have a Payment Plan option. Check out our Scholarship Page as well.

The Timber Framing program meets Monday through Friday for 8 hours a day, so students should treat it as a full-time commitment. A part-time job outside of class may be possible for some students, but working full-time while enrolled would not be realistic.

An applicant who has not visited the school prior to enrollment may cancel without penalty following either the regularly scheduled orientation procedures or following a tour of the school facilities and inspection of equipment where training and services are provided. Cancellation must be requested prior to or within the first week of the enrollment period by contacting the Admissions Office via text, email or phone.

1. An applicant requesting cancellation prior to or during the first week of the enrollment period is entitled to a refund of all monies paid.

2. In the event of an applicant requesting cancellation prior to or during the first week of the enrollment period, there is no registration fee retained by the School.

3. Processing and finance charges for debit and credit card payments are non-refundable

Per the Code of Federal Regulations CFR 21.4255, the SBWI has a pro-rata refund policy for the refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees and other charges in the event the veteran or eligible person fails to enter the program, or withdraws, or is discontinued there from, at any time prior to completion. An enrolled student who withdraws, is dismissed, or otherwise terminates their enrollment will be processed under the following policies:

1. An enrollment period is defined as an academic year which is ten months (40 weeks) long in Timber Framing; therefore an enrollment period for that program is ten months (40 weeks).

2. SBWI uses the Date of Determination to calculate refunds. The Date of Determination is the date the student’s enrollment was terminated by the School, the date the School was notified by the student that they were withdrawing, or the date the student was determined by the School to be withdrawn due to absences. Money due to the applicant or student will be refunded within 60 (Sixty) days after the date of determination. Written notification of withdrawal from the student is not required for refund payment.

3. In cases of prolonged illness, death in the family, or other circumstances that make it impractical to complete a program, the School will make a settlement reasonable and fair to both parties.

4. In the case of a student who completes academic requirements early and within 60% of an enrollment period, a prorated portion of the tuition for that period will be due, based on the time completed, rounded up to the nearest 10%. For early completion after 60% of the enrollment period, the entire period’s tuition will be due.

5. Processing and finance charges for debit and credit card payments are non-refundable.

6. If enrollment is terminated, the student will owe tuition and fees based on the following schedule:

• Prior to or during the first week 0% is owed

• During the second week - 20% or $5,934.00

• During the third week - 35% or $10,384.50

• During the fourth week - 50% or $14,835.00

• During the fifth week - 70% or $20,769.00

• After the fifth week - 100% or $29,670.00

Timber framing is a traditional building method that uses large wooden beams joined together with carefully cut joinery. Unlike standard stick framing, timber framing often relies on wood-to-wood connections, layout skills, and structural craftsmanship to create strong, long-lasting buildings. In many ways, timber framing brings fine woodworking principles to the scale of buildings.

Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life. While that is an idealistic view, we all need to earn a living as well. Timber framing can be a strong career for people who enjoy hands-on work, carpentry, building, problem solving, and working with wood. Timber framers may work for timber framing companies, construction firms, design-build studios, green building companies, mass timber projects, or historic barn restoration businesses.

Graduates may pursue careers in timber framing, general carpentry, construction, green building, mass timber installation, structural wood construction, historic barn restoration, design-build work, project management, estimating, or self-employment. The program also teaches business skills to help students understand how to build a sustainable career.

Yes. SBWI’s Timber Framing program introduces students to green building, mass timber, and modern structural wood systems while also teaching traditional timber frame joinery and general carpentry. Students learn how older craft traditions connect with current building practices and emerging construction methods.

SBWI’s Timber Framing program is located in Adrian, Michigan. Students train on SBWI’s campus and may also learn in outdoor building environments and field settings designed for hands-on carpentry and timber framing instruction.

Yes. The Timber Framing program can be a strong fit for career changers who want to move into hands-on work, carpentry, construction, green building, or timber framing. Students do not need to begin as expert builders; the program starts with fundamentals and builds toward more advanced skills over time.