Build Your Dream Home

Timeless in appearance and modern in efficiency standards, timber frame homes offer incredible natural beauty, strength, and flexibility in design. A well designed and constructed timber frame home can provide a richly rewarding living experience for years to come. We welcome you to this site as you begin to explore the possibilities.

As you begin to think about your new home, it is useful to understand the steps it will take to get there. The TFBC is here as a resource to help you get started. In the following section, we’ll introduce you to the phases of the process for building a timber frame home.

Research

The first step in building a timber frame home is to gather information. TFBC is a great starting place to learn about the timber frame basics, including many of the design possibilities and companies that you can work with. We also welcome you to branch out from here, consult books, magazines, attend a Log & Timber Home Show, or consult with one of the TFBC professional companies to get expert advice on the process.

TIP: Timber frame companies provide a wide range of products and services that can be confusing at the start. To build, you’ll need three primary services.

The home must be designed.
The timber frame must be fabricated and raised.
The pieces of the home must be pulled together and built.

Some timber frame companies handle all of these components, while others only fabricate and raise the frame. Begin to think about what type of company you would prefer to work with.

Here are some ideas to get you started in the research phase: Timber Home Living

Read books and magazines. TIP: Books and Magazines on the topic include: Timber Home Living (Magazine)
Collect literature from timber frame companies and attend a seminar, workshop, or Log & Timber Home Show.
Visit an open house of a timber framed home.
Visit the Timber Frame Resource page on Facebook. You’ll see a wide variety of recent projects from companies throughout North America.
Gather information about the different timber frame companies, including their services and average costs.
Talk to a timber frame professional early in the process to help you understand the value and cost of the timber frame method. Local architects, designers, and construction contractors can also be a good resource.
Make a preliminary budget and get “pre-qualified” through a mortgage/lending institution.

Get Started

Once you have researched timber frame and know you want to build, get started by preparing your property and pulling together the team of people who will assemble the home.

Aspects to consider as you’re getting started are:

Hamill Creek Example Floor Plan Building Site
Consider the condition of the property where the house will be placed, and plan for the best view, drainage, solar access, etc. Sites that are steeply sloped, rocky, heavily wooded or otherwise difficult to access can add significant time and expense to your project.

House Plans
Consider whether you want to purchase a previously prepared set of plans or have the home custom designed.

Architect or Designer
Some timber frame companies offer design services, while others do not. Find out who you need to hire, and see if they are familiar with timber frame building methods.

Timber Frame Company
Timber framing companies differ in size, style of timber framing, and the scope of the products they offer. Choose the one that meets your needs.

General Contractor
The general contractor is responsible for ensuring that construction occurs on your home. It is their job to deliver your house on time and in budget, so make sure to choose a responsible and detail-oriented contractor.

Design Process

With your team assembled and property ready, you can now enter the design phase. This is the part of the process where you specify exactly what you want from your home, including the general activities that will occur in the house and the feel you want to achieve, including size, lighting, and building style. During this phase, your design requests are taken into consideration by the designer who works closely with you to create the official design and construction documents, including details such as what materials to use in the home. At the conclusion of this phase, with the structure designed and the documents developed, you will receive the expected cost of the project.

Construction

Timber Frame Construction In this final phase, all of the plans you’ve made become a home. You’ll want to make sure that you’ve entered into a contract with the team you’ve chosen to ensure that the project comes to completion. Once construction is completed, enjoy your beautiful new home!
For more detail on the phases of building a timber frame home, access the free TFBC Client’s Guide to Building a Timber Frame Home.

If you are ready to contact a timber frame company in your area, visit the Find a Professional page to get started.