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Are you tired of being
put on hold?
Your questions are not trivial to us.
We welcome your calls.
We do not have switchboard operators
or employees trying to field questions they know
very little about.
If you want to speak
to a real person
who knows about
Timber Frames
Call Us!
(931) 484-7059
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For More Information:
Contact Us Today
(931) 484-7059
Copyright ©
2010
All Rights Reserved
Links

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We answer
your first question first. "How much
does a timber frame cost?"
Send us your plans
or ideas
or call us to
learn how to get your free estimate.
931-484-7059
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Homestead Timber Frames
works with you every step of the way.
The Process in Phases
•
Getting Started
• The Design
Program
• Determining Your Costs
• Scheduling and Shop Phase
• Raising Your Timber Frame
• Completing Your Home |
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Getting
started ~
with your Timber Frame project |
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A successful building project is composed of well managed details. Here’s a good place to start before you contact Homestead Timber Frames:
• You own your land
• You have a good idea of the size and style of your homestead
• You have a realistic budget and funds available
• You have a reasonable target date for completion
• You have chosen a contractor to finish out your home OR
• You have chosen to be your own contractor
The first step in building a timber frame home is to choose a timber frame company.
We believe you make this decision based on three criteria:
1. They are located within 250 miles of your building site
2. They are professional in their services offered and skilled in their craft
3. Their personalities match yours which creates a sound working relationship
Now that you have taken care of your initial planning, it's time to pay Homestead Timber Frames a visit. You are welcome anytime but please call ahead so we can give you our undivided attention. Bring with you that shoe box full of clippings and photographs along with your notes and “must haves” list. We will listen intently as you describe your project. During this get together we will address budgets and building costs as they pertain to your project. This will allow us to give a realistic quote that falls within your working budget.
Our first official step together is to provide you with a Home Design.
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Our
Design Program ~
Building an
excellent timber frame home begins with an excellent design. In the design
process we work with you to ensure that your home is properly positioned on
your land, accommodates your space requirements, exhibits your chosen style,
and fits within your building budget.
First, we visit each other. You travel to our shop to see our work
first hand and we visit your building site to record information we need to
take best advantage of your land.
Second, we combine information you have given us with what we learned
at your building site
to produce your home design. Your home design includes floor plans and
exterior elevations. Two rounds of revisions are provided at no additional
charge.
Third, we design your timber frame schematic, matching your floor
plans and elevations. These schematic drawings depict the major aspects of
your timber frame to help you clearly understand the structure we propose to
craft for you.
Fourth, we provide you with the price for your timber frame and
structural insulated panel package. Your timber frame package includes:
construction drawings, timber frame shop drawings, your timber frame joined
and raised on your first floor deck, structural insulated panel plans, and
structural insulated panels cut to your specifications and installed on your
timber frame.
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To see some examples of our design
work check out Timber Frame Design.
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Once we have completed the Design Program
together and you are comfortable with the quotes for your timber frame
package and SIP package costs, we prepare a Timber Frame Package
Contract for both parties to sign. This contract will outline the scope
of the work to be done in our shop, a payment schedule, the owner's
responsibilities to be accomplished before the timber frame arrives at
your site, and an estimated raising date. We then prepare your
Construction Drawings, which are in 1/4 inch scale and include: |
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Five sets of Construction
Drawings
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Foundation and first floor deck details
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Timber frame shop drawings
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Additional section drawings as needed
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Window and Door schedule
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SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) plan and specifications
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During this period you can nail down your final costs on the project. We will also develop a construction schedule for building your timber frame in our shop. |
How to determine your costs ~
Typically a full timber framed home package costs 15-25% more than a
conventional custom home of the same design. Costs vary depending on
site conditions, selection of doors and windows, amount of plumbing in
the house, exterior finishes and choice of roofing materials. Costs
increase more with longer driveways and utility access.
Timber frame joinery to accommodate
complex designs are considerations as well. All these issues should be
discussed on the front end in order to have a realistic dollar figure in
establishing your budget.
Cost saving advice for your project.
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Scheduling and Shop Phase ~

Once you have signed off on your Home Design and a Timber Frame
Production Agreement has been signed, we assign your project a time slot
in our shop schedule. Homestead Timber Frames operates on a "first
deposit – first serve" basis. Your deposit allows you to reserve a
delivery date that accommodates your building schedule. Our production
of your construction plans and our shop schedules are coordinated toward
that delivery date. Delivery of your timbers to our shop and the shop
joinery takes 3 to 12 weeks depending on the size of your project.
Delivery of the completed timber frame takes place when all is in
readiness on your site.
A Timber Frame Ready Site has these characteristics:
1. Your home’s footings, foundation, and first floor system are in place.
2. You have ample space for timber delivery and staging.
3. You have scheduled for forklift rental and crane services.
4. You have electrical service and bathroom facilities on site.
Details on all specification and
considerations are contained in our guidebook, "Timber Frame Raising and
Enclosure Details" given to you with your completed plans.
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Raising Your Timber Frame ~
The most exciting day in the life of your timber frame is Raising Day!
You have anticipated this day for months, possibly years. You have seen
the vision of your home take shape on paper; now on this day you see
that vision literally rise in the air and secured permanently with
wooden pegs.
The timber frame crew will first assemble all building sections (bents)
and peg them together on your first floor deck. Connecting timbers will
be arranged in order of installation. When all is in readiness the crane
operator will arrive on site and up she goes. Each section is raised and
secured, one section to the other. All floor and roof members are "flown
in" in turn until the timber frame structure is complete.
A straight-forward timber frame composed of four bents and three bays
typically takes three to four days to assemble and one day to raise. An
additional day or two is required to true the timber frame and peg all
joinery.
At this time, the SIP’s should be on site and the installation crew ready
to apply the pre-cut panels onto your frame. Average panel installation
for a medium size home takes 3-5 days.
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Completing Your Home ~
Most timber frame home owners choose to
enclose their home with Structural Insulated Panels (SIP’s). This makes
for an extremely energy efficient home. Some panel manufacturers provide
panels with wiring chases and window openings already cut before
delivery to your site. The panels go on quick and within a week your
home is weathered in. We try to coordinate the delivery and installation
of panels by the day after the frame is up. You may install your windows
during this process as well.
A general contractor is usually hired
to oversee the foundation work as well as finishing the home out after
your timber frame is raised and panels (if applicable) are installed.
While experience or knowledge of timber framing is helpful, it is not
necessary. Homestead Timber Frames will be happy to meet with your
contractor at the beginning of the project and supply information needed
to make the work flow smoothly. Remember that construction details and
specifications are to be in compliance with the local building code.
We would recommend you ask your
contractor at the beginning if they are comfortable working with a
timber frame company. Your construction plans will have all the
necessary specifications to complete the house just like any fine custom
home. If you desire timber framing to be used on the outside of your
home such as porch entrances or additions to the gables, etc. this may
require being built on site as the home is near completion. Your
contractor may be able to do this or it may require Homestead Timber
Frames to come back after a period of time. All these decisions can be
made with your contractor during the initial meetings between parties.
Some design alterations can be made to
the timber frame while in the shop to accommodate special considerations
such as wood or stone flooring, custom windows, and fireplaces or
chimneys. Your contractor and Homestead Timber Frames will try to
collaborate to make the project progress smoothly while under
construction. It’s important to save your dollars by creating these
modifications on paper in the design phase rather than finding out later
that expensive change orders are required to accommodate your taste.
If you desire to serve as your own contractor, we will
work with you to determine your goals. You may consider hiring
sub-contractors for specific jobs such as plumbing, wiring, or roofing.
Many beautiful homes have been built by their owners who are justly
proud of the accomplishment. Either choice requires patience,
flexibility, and fortitude
An excellent book you may find helpful is Designing
Your Dream Home by Susan Lang (2008). This book goes into great detail
that covers the design stage, interviewing for contractors, and choosing
cabinetry, appliances, and hardware.
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