The Builders Challenge was created so that twice a year we can challenge and learn from each other while showing of and inspiring others at the same time!
We provide one plan for you to build and give you three weeks to build it and post it to your IG account. Your piece will then be judged and three winners will be chosen.
How long does the Challenge last?
The Builders Challenge and The Furniture Flip Challenge lasts 3 weeks.
The Artists Challenge last 2 Weeks. The Big Build Off is five weeks.
All other challenges are “one off” challenges that have their own thime frame.
How can I win?
There are 3 categories in which you can win the Finest Craftsman, Intermediate, and Novice. You must pick ONE category to enter your build into.
Rules for each Category:
Finest Crafstman
- *Two types of furniture joinery.
- Pocket holes and butt-joints don’t count toward this requirement, though you can use them in your project.
- As an option, a novel form of joinery is demonstrated in the build plans. Give it a try!
- If you use joinery we can’t see, please post a progress photo with the joinery in your final submission post.
- Use premium wood in a portion of your build. Consideration will be given to skillful grain selection and use. (Flaws can be features!)
- A finish that showcases the natural beauty of the wood. (Don’t hide it behind paint!)
Intermediate
- Generally use advanced techniques
- Are looking for a skilled competition.
Novice
- Basic building knowledge with limited experience
- Participating in the Challenge to have fun and learn from others.
What kind of materials can I use to build this piece?
- Depending on the category you enter, depends on the material required. See above.
How am I judged?
- The judges are provided ask to review each piece based on the following criteria: modifications, creativity, build, and origination.
- The Builders Challenge team will review your piece and based on the criteria for each category your piece will be placed in either Novice, Intermediate, or the Finest Craftsman category for judging.
- After judges pick a top five, they will then discuss each piece and pick the winner for each category.
How will you find my build so I can make sure I’m judged?
- Once you post your final project you must post your piece and then fill out our Builders Challenge completion form. IF YOU DO NOT fill out a completion form- you will NOT be judged. To post progress photos please USE the hashtag #thebuilderschallenge10 or #tbc10progress.
Should we show progress photos?
- 100% YES! We love to cheer you on and believe it or not so do hundreds of others who participate and watch the challenge every season. Its amazing to see everyone come together and support one another.
- PLEASE post progress photos using the hashtag #thebuilderschallenge10 or #tbc10progress.
Can you do more mini challenges?
- 3-4 times a year we will host smaller challenges. These will last 1-2 weeks and be much smaller in scale. Watch for these in between our big challenges.
Is the challenge limited only to the USA?
- We have had builders from all over hang with us during the challenge and build. Anyone is invited and welcome to build with us.
- HOWEVER, our sponsors are only committed to sending products to the United States because of different rules with sending products to different countries. If you win the challenge we will submit your address to all of our sponsors but we CANNOT guarantee that they can send the products to you.
Can a person win more than once?
- Absolutely! But you can only win once per season. You cannot win more than one category during the same season.
Is there one spot where we can see what all the prizes are?
- YES! Visit our SPONSOR PAGE and watch for a hashtag we use each season to see who’s currently supporting the latest challenge and what they are giving the winners.
How can I win? OR What did I do Wrong?
- Each Season we bring in new judges and occasionally we ask some favorites to come back. But the important take away is that we never have the same judges each season. They are given a template to judge your piece, but every judges opinion is different. Meeting the criteria, having good photos, and reviewing the judging criteria are all ways to help keep you on the right track
How do I submit my final build?
- When you complete your build please post it to your Instagram and use the hashtag #tbc9final. You will be judged based on this post only. Head to our TBC Completion Form and fill this out along with including your POST URL. Not sure how to find your POST URL? We have a story highlight showing you how to locate this on our Instagram. IF you do not complete a form you will not be judged. We collect these forms and send them to our judges.
Lastly, Contact us 24/7/365 with any concerns or questions. During the challenge we take extra care to constantly check social media, email, and even our phones in case you need any support or help with your builds and don’t forget…Always Build OUTSIDE the Box!!
-The Builders Challenge Team
Raechal Petris-@desertwoodwrks raechal@builderschallenge.com
Adam Beesley-@lazyguydiy adam@builderschallenge.com
General- @thebuilderschallenge thebuilderschallenge@gmail.com
Follow along and see what our builders created and the latest challenge news by clicking here:
#thebuilderschallenge
We did a live Q & A! Watch below and get your questions answered by us!
