For most people, choosing to build a timber frame home is likely one of the biggest decisions they have ever made. It’s a major commitment in time, money, and energy. Of course, once it’s done it’s also one of the most enjoyable things you can imagine. But before you get lost dreaming about enjoying your future home, you need to make the crucial decision to start.
To help you feel informed and empowered, we encourage you to consider the following questions. As a leading builder of custom timber frame homes, we have helped numerous clients map out their journey from big ideas to finished homes – and we are ready to do the same for you.
Please contact us for knowledgeable advice and guidance on how to build the home of your dreams!
10 Things to Ask Before Starting a Timber Frame Home Construction
1. What should I look for in a builder or contractor specializing in timber frame homes?
You need a builder you can trust to construct your timber frame home from the ground up. Choosing the right professional is crucial to ensuring quality craftsmanship and a seamless build.
Look for the following in a builder or contractor:
- Extensive training and education in timber frame home construction
- Experience completing projects of similar size and scope
- Proven ability to stay within budget and to complete projects within a reasonable time frame
- Ability to source materials and labor to complete the project on time
- Recent clients and projects that demonstrate their abilities
2. How do I accurately estimate a budget for a timber frame home?
Find a builder who can take you through the budgeting process based on your designs. The average person – and even the average builder – doesn’t have the resources or knowledge to give you an accurate estimate on building a timber frame home. This type of construction requires specialized knowledge, craftspeople, and materials. Any builder you seriously consider should be able to give you a relatively clear picture of what the project will cost.
3. What maintenance is typically required for a timber frame home?
Quality timber frame homes can last for a very long time, but they do require proper maintenance to stand the test of time. This maintenance should include:
- Regular inspections to ensure early identification of potential problems, such as failure of weatherproofing
- Pest control, including treating timber to protect against pests like termites and regular inspections to identify pest infestations
- Weatherproofing to protect timbers against moisture and UV light
- Treating indoor wooden surfaces to protect against wear, such as the application of linseed oil
4. How do I select a location for the home?
When selecting a location, it’s important to remember that the cost to construct the home goes up when the location is harder to access or more challenging to build on. For example, a scenic remote cliffside location is beautiful and private. However, it costs more to ship materials there and to transport the construction crew there.
5. What should I include in my home design?
Timber frame floor plans can be as simple or as elaborate as you like – usually limited primarily by your budget. An experienced timber frame designer can help you identify the most important things to include, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, and then offer additional features based on your budget.
6. What is the building timeline for timber frame builders?
The average timber frame home can take from six months to one year to complete. However, many factors can increase this timeline. Availability of materials, availability of craftspeople, remoteness of location, weather, and other factors can all affect how long it takes to build.
7. Will I need any special craftspeople to complete the project?
Depending on the design, you might need specialized craftspeople to complete the project. For example, if you want to use traditional joinery – where the exposed timber frame is assembled without metal – you will need specialized help. These individuals and teams are often in high demand which can create scheduling challenges.
8. Are there any options to improve affordability?
Most people building a home have some sort of budget limitations. Because of this, the process of deciding on a design requires balancing the things you want with what you are willing to pay for.
A good designer and builder can help you identify areas where you can save money without sacrificing the things that are most important to you. For instance, you might choose standard-size windows instead of more expensive custom windows. Or, the builder might identify local types of timber that are less expensive than the type of timber you originally wanted.
9. Do my local zoning regulations allow me to build a timber frame home?
It’s very important to verify that local building regulations allow you to build the home you want to build. You can check yourself or you can ask your builder to check for you. Hopefully, even if there are some zoning limitations, you can find compromises that allow you to get most of the custom home features you want.
10. Do I want a full custom home design or do I want to use existing timber frame floor plans?
It can be more efficient and economical to use existing timber frame floor plans from trusted designers like Hamill Creek. These designs are proven and produce wonderful homes while also being less expensive than hiring an architect for custom plans.
Ask the Experts at Hamill Creek!
Partner with trusted experts in timber frame home building. Reach out to the professionals at Hamill Creek today to gather more information and take the first step toward creating your dream home.
Blog Archive / How to Choose the Right Timber Frame Builder for Your Dream Home