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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 day or two 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 and they are justly proud of the accomplishment. Either choice requires patience, flexibility, and fortitude.
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