Simple and Easy.
Let's Build You a Timber Frame
Whether you’re dreaming of an open pavilion, a barn or a cabin, our pre-designed or custom kits are just be what you’re looking for. We include pre-cut timbers, all the hardware and delivered to your site. Take advantage of our knowledge and expertise to get the best frame for your project!
So, What Is Included?
Pre-cut Timber Frame
The heavy timbers are completely pre-cut with all the joinery and peg holes cut, and chamfered corners. The timbers are labeled for easy assembly on site. We work with you to determine the best timber species for your frame. The labeling numbers on our timbers match up with the production numbers on the plans to make assembly organized and efficient.
Design
We have some of the most experienced timber frame designers here at Timber Frame HQ. They all have sharp slicks in their tool chests. Good designers understand the material and how it goes together. It's crucial to have an experienced timber framer design your dream.
Engineering
Only the best for your project. Our engineers are timber frame engineers, many of them doctorates, that love it just as much as you and I. We work with our team of engineers to design your frame for your locations. You will have everything you need to obtain your permits for the timber frame. We supply engineered reaction diagrams during the process so that you can maintain your construction schedule.
Joinery and Connections
Joinery cut by CNC machine. All joints, drillings, mortises, and tenons will be cut within tight tolerances. All members are labeled according to the production numbers that we have assigned during the production of your model and plans.
Construction Documents
You will receive the full set of plans, which includes floor plans, elevations, sections and any detail drawings. If your local building department requires an engineer’s stamp, that will be included on the plans as well but all frames will be engineered for your location. These are design, engineered, and state sealed structural drawings.
Delivery
We carefully bundle, wrap, and deliver your timber frame and hardware to you. We will coordinate with you as to approximate delivery time on agreed to date. You will need to have some equipment arranged that can lift 5000 lbs. so that the truck can be safely unloaded.
Timber and Part Lists
We provide you with detailed timber and hardware schedules early on in the design process. There serve as manifests for your delivery and as reference numbers when it is time to pre-assemble and raise the frame.
Project Manager
We will be available as a construction resource for the duration of your project. We are here to provide advice, support, and answer questions to help make your timber frame raising successful and rewarding. Please look at our About Us page to learn more about us.
Are you ready to get your project started?
Contact us today to set up your free preliminary meet and greet where we get to know each other, talk about your project and see if we are a good fit for each other. Building is a personal process and we want to make sure you have the best team possible for your project. This meeting usually takes about 30 minutes.
How Do I Go About Purchasing a Kit?
You may like one of our standard plans just as it is. If so, you can skip the design process and head straight to purchasing. However, if your ideal frame is drastically different from our pre-designed plans, we can complete the custom design as part of your package.
If you want to make moderate modifications to one of our designs, you will work with one of our project managers to determine which plan is closest to your needs, and what changes you want to make. Once we receive your deposit, we will begin the design phase. You will be able to visualize your completed frame with interactive 3D renderings.
Option 1
Fastener Kit
These kits are the basics. They include the connectors, screws, pegs, post bases, finish and the plans. You can customize and add the other components piecemeal to fit your needs. Some people go this route if they already have access to the timbers and the specialty tools you will need to cut the frame.
Option 2
Stock Kit
This type of kit includes the pre-cut timbers, connectors, screws, pegs, post bases, finish, SIP's and utilizes one of our stock plans. The pre-cut CNC labeled timbers save a great deal of your time. Purchasing a Kit also means you don’t have to worry about making mistakes in cutting the frame.
Option 3
Custom Kit
If the first two options don't fit your project we can create a custom timber frame kit for you. We work with you to design, engineer cut your frame and deliver it to your site. The options are unlimited when you head down this route. This will allow you the greatest flexibility to get the exact frame you want.
How much does one one of our kits cost?
12x12 Pergola Kit
Average Cost $5,150 - $7,750
16x24 Shed Roof Kit
Average Cost $13,250 - $18,250
16x24 King Post Kit
Average Cost $18,500 - $23,750
What are the advantages of using one of our timber frame kits?
Mike Smith - 19x22 Timber Frame Kit
Prefabricated timber frame kits give you cost and time advantages that can’t be beat! All pre-cut timbers are prepared in one of our four weathertight facilities by an experienced crew. Prefabricated construction projects often take far fewer man-hours than conventional framing. That means fewer problems from weather delays that can play havoc with deadlines. The quicker construction timeline also cuts down on noise, pollution, and waste on your site.
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)
Depending on your requirements, most of our kits are cut from Douglas Fir, Eastern White Pine, Cedar or Southern Yellow Pine.
We do not provide installation ourselves, but depending on your area, we can recommend contractors who can raise the frame for you.
Our standard kits are engineered to comply with most county and state requirements. If your locality has more specific requirements, we will supply a state specific stamp for an additional fee. It is your responsibility to determine what your local building department requires.
All of our kits are pre-cut, pre-fit, labeled and ready for you to have fun with the raising!
In most cases we can ship to your residence as long as the address is located within the Continental United States or parts of Eastern Canada. If your address is in a particularly difficult access area, you need to let us know and there may be additional fees.
In order to deliver to your location: Your location has to be able to accommodate a full sized tractor trailer to park entirely off the road, and turn around to make egress.
You or your builder is responsible for offloading the kit materials and timbers from the delivery truck. The truck driver is under no obligation to be involved with any part of the unloading. The truck will not have a ramp or liftgate. It is absolutely necessary for you to provide a forklift to move the timbers and pallets.
If a kit is less than 3,000 lbs you might be able to unload it a piece at a time. You need at least one other strong person to help you. We recommend you wear sturdy work gloves and have a cutting tool for breaking the packaging bands open.
In the unlikely case that your kit arrives damaged, you have the option to refuse shipment. If this happens , please try to contact us while the driver is still there. We will try to help you make the best decision for what is happening.
We will ship your kit anywhere in the Continental United States or Canada. We ship your kit by freight carrier directly to you. Shipping usually takes 4-7 days depending on your location.
When we give you a quote for your timber frame kit, we will include a cost for shipping to your location. Please be very specific when describing the location we will be shipping to.
When we receive your order we will tell you a date and approximate time for delivery. A tracking number is supplied once the kit has shipped, and the trucking company’s dispatcher will coordinate with you and the driver.
Most of our kits can be delivered as soon as eight weeks after you make your deposit, but for more complex frames (and especially if you are modifying the design of a kit) we recommend placing your order as much as six months before you plan to raise your frame. That way you have time for a collaborative design process, engineering, and local permitting.
When you contact us, your Project Manager will lead you through the decision process to decide what kit you want and which (if any) modifications you need. The cost of kits varies greatly depending on the size and complexity. We will quote any modified kits on a case-by-case basis.
We offer a great variety in kit sizes, ranging from 8x12 up to 24x36 and larger. Take a look on our kit page to see them!
It depends on the size and design of the frame, but we use traditional mortise and tenon joinery, scarf joints, spline joints, tusk tenons, pegged half-laps, several other joints.
Our kit prices do NOT include any site preparation - including foundations. There are many different options for foundations but most folks choose to pour a monolithic slab. We provide the connectors to fasten your posts to the slab.
We supply the timber frame, fasteners, finish and any other related items. The finishing elements are up to you to provide and install.
Are you ready to get your project started?
Fill out this brief form to set up your free preliminary meet and greet where we get to know each other, talk about your project and see if we are a good fit for each other. Building is a personal process and we want to make sure you have the best team possible for your project. This meeting usually takes about 30 minutes.