2025 Wrap Up

Merry Christmas from Abacus Training — & What’s Coming in 2026

Season’s greetings to all our students, past and present! As the year winds down and the festive season approaches, I want to take a moment on behalf of everyone at Abacus Training / Owner Builder Courses Online to say a heartfelt thank you.

Thank you for trusting us with your owner-builder journey. Whether you’ve just completed our course, are partway through, or you’re putting what you’ve learned into action on site — it’s been a huge honour to support you. Watching you gain confidence in contracts, scheduling, budgeting, safety, and compliance always reminds me why we built this program in the first place.

🎄 Reflecting on 2025 — What we’ve done

  • We continued to provide up-to-date, practical content on everything from project financial management to avoiding common owner-builder mistakes.
  • We maintained support for all our students across states — helping people in Queensland, NSW, WA (and beyond) understand the legislative and compliance obligations that come with owner-building.
  • We stayed committed to the values that matter: safety, compliance, clarity, and practical know-how — because being an owner-builder is more than DIY. It’s about being the principal contractor, managing trades, managing contracts, and building with confidence.

Looking Ahead to 2026 — What’s Next

In the new year, we’re excited to introduce some enhancements to better support you:

  • Extension & Interest Courses — We know many of you want to deepen specific skills beyond the core owner-builder course. So we’re developing shorter courses & modules on topics like contract administration, advanced budgeting & cost control, project management, safety compliance, subcontractor coordination, and more.
  • More Practical Tools & Templates — Expect easier-to-use project templates, checklists, and guides — to help you manage your build from start to finish, with fewer surprises.
  • More Engagement & Community Support — We plan to run additional webinars, Q&A forums, and perhaps even local meet-ups so owner-builders can share experiences, tips, and lessons learned.
  • Regular Updates for State-by-State Compliance — Building laws change. We’ll keep you informed with updated content tailored to your state (QLD, NSW, WA, etc.), to help you stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes.

To Our Students: Keep Building (Safely & Smartly)

Whether your build is already underway, planned for next year, or still just a dream — take this time over Christmas to reflect, plan ahead and reset. Good owner-building isn’t just about bricks and mortar: it’s about realistic planning, safe practices, proper contracts, and financial discipline.

From all of us here at Abacus Training / Owner Builder Courses Online —
Merry Christmas and a safe, successful New Year!
We look forward to partnering with you in 2026, and helping you build not just houses — but homes, built right.

Best regards,
Rick Heaton
Course Director – Abacus Training

Picture of Rick Heaton

Rick Heaton

Rick Heaton is a Queensland Registered Builder (Licence No. 032061), licensed plumber, drainer and gasfitter, and the founder of Abacus Training, one of Australia's longest-running owner builder training providers. With over 30 years of hands-on experience in residential construction, design and project management, Rick has guided more than 4,000 Australians through the owner builder process across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. Rick holds a Master of Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and has delivered approved and accredited owner builder training since the early 1990s. His courses combine real-world building knowledge with practical project management systems — giving owner builders the confidence to manage their own projects, control their costs and build to a higher standard.

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