How to Model a House in SketchUp Free (10 EASY Steps)

In this SketchUp tutorial, we teach you how to build a simple house from start to finish. And when we’re done, you’ll have learned 10 essential steps that you can apply to your own projects. Plus, we share a bunch of critical tips along the way! Here's what we cover:
Introduction (00:00)
1. Draw Accurate Walls (01:09)
2. Group Early (and Often) (06:03)
3. Edit Groups to Add Detail (08:08)
4. Stay Organized with Tags (11:37)
5. Use Components (13:25)
6. Use Nested Groups & Components (17:35)
7. Learn to Edit Existing 3D Shapes (20:29)
8. Use Pre-Made Components from the 3D Warehouse (23:55)
9. Add Colors & Materials (29:24)
10. Create a Final Rendering (32:05)
Next Steps (35:42​)
We also created some notes, to help you remember everything: sketchup.school/j2t
And a 3D Warehouse collection that you can use to follow along: sketchup.school/zhy
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“Your structure for presenting retainable information is remarkable. Thank you from all of us learning.” Jacob Howse 😀
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DID YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN THIS VIDEO?
Do us a favor, and tell us your favorite tip in the comments.
And make sure to 👍 and subscribe.
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“It's a pleasure to watch a well structured, professionally presented and succinct video. Many thanks!” deldridg 😃
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Not sure SketchUp Free has all the features you need?
Check out this video that compares all the different versions: • SketchUp Free vs Paid ...
Or, head over to this page on our website: sketchup.school/fhd
Send us a quick message about your particular situation, and we'll let you know which version of SketchUp we think is right for you.
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“Your teaching methods are fantastic and I only wish I had started learning SketchUp the right way sooner.” Ron Paulk 😀
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#sketchup #sketchupfree #sketchuptutorial

[@SketchUpSchool]

*DID YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN THIS VIDEO?* 😀 Do us a quick favor, and tell us your favorite tip in the comments, or just let us know you liked the video by giving it a like 👍 And, if there's anything you’d like to see us cover in a future video, leave a comment and let us know!

[@atpo1151]

Hi Alex. I'm from Greece and I'm learning sketchup now. I have a problem with Vray with materials. I right clicked and closed them and now I can't find them anywhere. You can help me;

[@evancemwakapala4367]

Hello alex I'm from Tanzania I'm learning sketchup can you help me the link of 3d bim objects?

[@nicklasbohlin4502]

Hello, is it possible to print with the background picture in it? I would like to have the background picture and the part that i have done in the same print.

[@CarlosRodriguez-rf8qx]

WOW! I almost feel like this program is easier to use than what I thought, Thank you! I'm not sure if to buy this program or Autocad. From my research they are very similar. What do you suggest?

[@manuelsomseb232]

Thanks you so much I really appreciate this video

[@christinaarandall5728]

I have found this tutorial to be the best one I have viewed to date. So easy to follow and makes total sense!

[@RooKieDesignz]

Honestly, this is some of the easiest-to-follow instructions I have ever encountered on KZbin. THANK YOU!!

[@luiswerner30pg]

The structure of this tutorial is incredibly good! I wish everyone would do tutorials structured like this one about anything really. This is not only a SketchUp masterclass it's also a "how to make a tutorial" masterclass. I did learn all I need to know, thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome - glad to know you liked the tutorial!

[@paynewhit]

Thank you! I must say that the speed and the detail level you gave in this tutorial were spot on! Very clean and clear. I will definitely be looking at your other videos! I really appreciate your time and effort to put this out for us - happy I found your channel!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome! Glad you liked the video!

[@theophillusbaloyi5485]

I am a revit user and I've been trying to find beginner tutorials for sketchup, and I must say I've struck gold with this video. Absolutely incredible how you explained everything so clearly and even made it fun. Love it!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked it!

[@strayj2767]

This is a gem! Almost feel bad that I'm getting these info for free. Thank you a bunch!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are so welcome!

[@narlycharley]

You aren’t. Google is selling YOUR info/stats to the highest bidder.

[@lisat7489]

Your tutorials are incredible! The amount of work you put into this to make it so clear is amazing! You're a lifesaver!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you like them!

[@Chouby3]

Thank you very much, i am using Sketchup for the first time and I already know this is going to save me HOURS

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@user-un1te3gg9e]

This learning speed is quite easy to keep up with, and the tutorial is informative and very interesting! I really appreciate your work!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@avani2955]

i love the little 'thank you from the future' sketch in EVERY video

[@SketchUpSchool]

😊

[@CharlPe]

Wow - great tutorial, thank you! You have a deft touch of delivering at the right pace and explaining just the perfect amount to make things very understandable. I was able to follow right along and make the model of the barn I needed IN THE FIRST TRY, without EVER having used SketchUp before! Absolutely NO WAY I could have done that w/o your tutorial here. Again, THANK YOU!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to let us know the video was helpful for you!

[@sanjamslm]

This channel is pure gold! Thank you! 🥰

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome - so happy you think so!

[@christaylor2294]

First time user of SketchUp and I have found these videos extremely useful. I'm only using simple shapes to try and draw a diagram of my living room and some storage units I want to build. By using SketchUp I have been able to draw an exact replica of my living room and a diagram of the storage I am building as a novice DIYer this has really helped me articulate to the timber merchants what I'm doing in order to get the right materials I need for the job. So thank you Alex and the team sketchup school

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome! (Alex here): I can't tell you enough how much it means to me and our team that you are able to use our lessons to design and create in the real world. We're thrilled we could help in a small way and are happy to have you here as a part of the SketchUp School family!

[@narlycharley]

Thank you SO MUCH for this. I'm helping renovate my in-laws' kitchen, and this is helping us out so much.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are so welcome!

[@Adeadbraincell]

This guy teach better than my institute teachers......thank you so much this is really help full ❣

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're so welcome!

[@ianfisher390]

Wow. Really helpful. Clear, concise, incremental, easy to follow. Thank you.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome!

[@fizmon3439]

Group early and often. This piece of advice has completely changed my life. lol. I have been testing SketchUp for awhile by just exploring the tools. I have looked at a few other videos along the way but your video by far helped me change the way I need to approach the software. Kudos for hitting the important points. Just an excellent teaching video all the way the way around. Succinct, clearly spoken and fun. Thank you for doing this video!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Really happy to hear our video stood out for you as being most helpful!

[@andreasommedal1785]

Dude, I learned alot as a beginner from this, and your "stupid-humor" is so funny and makes this a pleasure to watch!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Really happy to hear you enjoyed the video!

[@paimcfly4800]

zero experience with Sketup, this video get me started in only few minutes, from sketch to 3D model.. amazing guide. 👍🏻 the kind of crash course intro we need.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad to hear the video was helpful!

[@RachelSeed-iw8fc]

Absolutely brilliant! I have learnt more in this session than I have on the umpteen courses I've previously been on! Thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome!

[@malihakhan3126]

wow...He is such a nice teacher i have ever seen on youtube... i recommend everyone to follow him if you want to learn sketchup as fast and easy as possible.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@rocksteadyjew]

Really great video. Been using sketch up for years and I learned so much following your work flow. Thanks!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@magdalenadetoffol6406]

This is great! Just what I needed. Thank you.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're so welcome!

[@davidhutchinson-adom4944]

Thanks a lot man. Explained the groups part perfectly. Needed that.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@Joslemian]

This is an amazing tutorial. Thank you. Very well organized and great depth.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome!

[@robertdufour2456]

Starting with the overhead view is brilliant!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Happy to hear that tip worked for you!

[@smellypunks]

Learned more from this one video than from all the other videos I watched today put together.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Wow - thanks for the kind words!

[@nhocao7736]

Thanks for your lessons, simply and easy for understanding!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are welcome!

[@mattatkinson5187]

Great video! I have been using SketchUp Free for a while now, mostly for woodworking projects, but I did learn some new skills. the most helpful tip is getting the angles for the roof.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Great to hear!

[@abbernales]

This is really a very informative tool to remember when doing My SketchUp Projects. Kudos to Sir Alex Oliver!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ajhonnayak5921]

one of the great teacher, top of world, thank you sir, (respected-100℅) 🙏

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are very welcome!

[@kk1200ts]

To the point and very clear. Thanks.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@farjananislam6584]

The introduction was very helpful, thanks!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@doyouknowtheway647]

Thnakyou so much! it was really easy to learn sketchup thanks to you. the free models are an absolute life saver too. give your future self a highfive for me!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@dkaamraaj]

Thank you for immensely motivated input 👍

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@_MissElba]

i love every bit of your lessons

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you like them!

[@dodgercain6433]

You are an amazing teacher! thank you SO MUCH, you obviously have taught many neophytes how to do this and solved problems along the way, so you have predicted/prevented so many issues! Two things I had to look up elsewhere that you might want to cover (I viewed only your "Get Started with SketchUp" and this video) were: 1. To have the "group objects" option come up, you have to select objects by drawing a rectangle around all the objects, you can't select them by clicking on them; if you do, then right click, the "group objects" option does not appear. 2. to use the push-pull tool for an object in the direction you want to, you have to click on the FACE of the object you want to move. I wanted to move a wall in to make a room narrower and I kept clicking on the wall in floorplan view (so, unbeknownst to me selected the face of the wall thickness) and all the push-pull would do is make the wall taller or shorter. Thank you so much for making this so valuable in such a short amount of time!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome! Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your experience!

[@indrasiswanto1161]

Thank you. This is an excellent tutorial.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome!

[@MARUTII]

Longer but best & easy video for learning SketchUp 3d modelling 👌🏻🔥

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you think so!

[@dkaamraaj]

Immensely thankful for your insight

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome! 😊

[@arslanaziz3831]

this channel is gold

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad to hear you like the channel!

[@tohnbehn3859]

Love your teaching style dude it's awesome, exemplary, keep it up.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Awesome - glad you like the videos!

[@RayR33]

Great tutorial. Many thanks.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are welcome!

[@alexmozmtl]

Thank you, very useful. I learned about the "recopy" (forward slash) and how textures work. Also, that V-Ray rendering is impressive.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome! Glad you learned a few things!

[@omar03business63]

Thanks for your easy to follow explanations

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are welcome!

[@jayhernandez6498]

basics it's encouraging to learn a little bit more! Well done!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked it!

[@bersuarsuara]

Thank you for teaching us about sketchup Stay health!!!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome! 😊

[@beccasteinkamp9024]

Omg this video was so very helpful! Thank you for all the info!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're so welcome!

[@nasirahmadkhalil5379]

Excellent work, loved it.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@abriz6688]

The hero’s face is dominating the video. Why not just show the whole beef.

[@user-ef6hw2cb5t]

Great tutorial!! Excellent teaching strategies!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked the video!

[@user-es4gq3db6w]

Such an incredible way to explain. All doubts cleared so far.. Tones of thanks from INDIA.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@tyrantskillz]

Brilliant lecture. Thank you so much

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@North_York]

Amazing video! Thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@joetkeshub]

The best pedagogy around! Thank you so much! You save my day! I wasted hours using exotic online equivalent, a real pain in the arse with issues of alignment and angles settings. I don't want to name them. I'm glad that I eventually found the RIGHT tutorial for beginners. Thank you! I'm going to watch other tutos of yours as well.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@architectlivesmart]

great video mate i enjoy watching you with your clear accent thanks for that

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@marvelmarquez3854]

Great Thank you so much Now im super exited to learn

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@davidbob401]

Good tutorial! Never gets old

[@SketchUpSchool]

Awesome - glad you liked it!

[@doungnarith2416]

first time for me used the sket up FREE thank MUCH ALL THESE videos

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@juliaroch5997]

I rarely comment on KZbin, but I have to say that I have never seen such a perfect tutorial. The speed was on point, everything was clear, clean and easy. Anything I started wondering about - you talked about it the next moment. And the fun accents were also great! Really loved everything about this tutorial, I learned more in these 30 minutes than on any other channels. Thank you!!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Wow - thank you for the kind words! Really happy to hear you liked the video - and you're welcome!

[@robertdufour2456]

I love the humorous cuts scenes!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked those scenes!

[@jctotsways1345]

Finally found my sketchup school, thanks Sir! You are such a great teacher! Detailed and Concise...

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome! Glad you like our channel!

[@jctotsways1345]

@@SketchUpSchool no way I wouldn't Sir, your tutorials are complete. You make sure we learn every detail with very clear explanations.

[@jeroenwesselink]

Very useful and compact video!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked it

[@JORJWELDER]

Great class , thanks so much .

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome!

[@gfxHunt3r]

Great tips with nice smile 😊 thanks man

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@tafzabrahim8343]

This is great, thank you!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@johnbee209]

Thank you, just got sketch up this morning and i have a similar model built, no furniture but colors and a few windows. thanks a second time!!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're very welcome!

[@stevebarron1793]

Bravo! should have watched this long ago. Now going to go watch the before video and all the others . Nicely done.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Really happy to hear this video helped!

[@matemon]

Very good explained. Excellent!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@the_padzer3456]

This was an excellent tutorial! Ive since upgraded to sketchup go and im finding it great! 💯💛😎

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked it!

[@lalocorzoaquino7630]

Thankyou so much I,ve been modeling wrong the Whole time ill be practicing these tips

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@ghil101175]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@pikifrino]

Congratulations! Excellent video! Thank you..

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@yassine-hmaimssa03]

this is the best teaching video i see in my life and it's so easy to learn from it thank you so much , ❤‍🔥

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are very welcome

[@revyllthespiritogandaga8063]

Thanks so much i was wondering how can i start my project, until i found this video, it's really clear, thanks a lot.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are welcome!

[@rafaelalarcon8299]

Making the roof ribs was my favorite tip I can make the rafters this way

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked that tip!

[@demcshan]

Very Good and a great place to start and practice

[@SketchUpSchool]

Really happy to hear you liked the video!

[@matjazkranjc3511]

Very good tutorial. One of the best in software actually! Now I'm off to make my own house :D

[@SketchUpSchool]

Good luck!

[@saintbat3165]

Thank you for the guide, it was very helpfull.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@mohammedqadir6187]

The note and lesson was very very wonderful

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked it!

[@S2wwbPro]

thank you this was very helpfull

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@tonyb83]

Excellent thanks very much.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You are welcome!

[@3clogue]

really really great video

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked it!

[@hypetrail]

Thank you so much, this is for a project I need to pass ASAP

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@pofrani]

Awesome tutorial! You're the best! :)

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked it!

[@fillhemsworth4102]

ITS REALLY WORKED LOL THANK YOU DUDE

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@ahmad300]

Thank you so much.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@roxcastaneda]

Wonderful tutorial!

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad to hear you liked it!

[@KGAntonio11]

Thanks bro you are legend

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@BabyBidoll87]

0:25 This is me!!! Thank you for this HElp. God bless you sir.

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@dkaamraaj]

Thankyou for makings things as simpler

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome! 😀

[@larswaara7025]

Very good tutorial. I have been modeling with sketchUp since long time ago and I learned how to use mulitple copies in a new way and also bit better way of making tutorials.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad you liked the video!

[@leohodzic4028]

Thanks to you, I am lear everything inside this best ever software :)

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@seankrake4776]

4:16 something to mention here is that the bottom left corner gives a guide on what to do with the selected tool, and any options you many need to choose. Several of the tools give you multiple options, and it is a very helpful reference for remembering the hotkeys. an example would be when placing circles it gives the option for inscribed, circumscribed, and changing the number of segments. this can be helpful for drawing polygons without changing tools. 19:27 you can also use the arrow keys to lock the rotate tool, or any of the drawing tools to a specific axis. I find it really helpful with rotate, as the tool tends to jump around, and it means I don't have to change my view.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave these helpful insights! Really appreciated!

[@johntherat339]

Good video. One tip for the roof pitch is you can also type in 2:12 instead of the degrees.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Yes - typing a slope notation works as well. Thank you for sharing that tip!

[@nepaldigitaleducation8216]

Thanks so much

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@francescolotti5572]

i love u so much bro, thanks very much

[@SketchUpSchool]

You're welcome!

[@davidstrickland6428]

Good stuff ! Count me in.

[@SketchUpSchool]

Welcome to the SketchUp School family!

[@robertdufour2456]

Grouping! Yes, please continue to remind me

[@SketchUpSchool]

Glad that tip is helpful!