FAQs

Question 1: What kind of wood do you use for your timber frames?

Douglas fir, native oak, white pine and hemlock, and recycled timbers from old mills and barns. Kiln-dry timbers are available in some species. Most of our frames today are being built with a high grade of Douglas fir. We point out the merits of each wood and help you decide which is best for your project.

Question 2: Where do you build?

We can provide our Frame and Panel package throughout New England and our Finished Shell package within a 40-mile radius of Rockport, Maine. Most of our projects are situated along the coast of Maine, the inland lakes region, and on coastal islands.

Question 3: Do you erect your own timber frame systems?

Yes, we have our own erecting crews for the Frame and Panel systems. Our crane-truck is part of the package. There is no additional charge when we are able to use our own equipment.

Question 4: Can we look at homes you have built?

Yes, we always have projects under construction that are available to walk through. We also have many former clients in Maine who are happy to let us show you their finished homes. We try to bring you into a selection of homes that have some features similar to the home we?re designing for you. It helps you visualize the space and proportions that are being proposed during the design process.

Question 5: What design services do you provide?

We have an in-house design team that helps you design your home. Ninety percent of our clients use this service. Ten percent use an architect. In that situation, we become consultants to you and your architect to help guide in the design of the timber frame for the project. Our drawings are done on a C.A.D. system that lets you visualize the concept clearly and to scale. We look at the site conditions, consider the budget, listen to your desires, and then start to conceptualize the project. We begin with schematics for approval and then provide finished drawings for building purposes. We help guide you through the layers of decisions that need to be made.

Question 6: What are the advantages of a timber frame home?

Timber frame construction lends itself well to open spaces; it does not require load-bearing walls to support second floor and roof loads, the loads simply get transferred through the postings. This means that you can choose to have open spaces and/or closed off spaces, most homes have both. The timbers provide visual interest to the interior spaces, adding warmth and appeal to the rooms in your home. The insulation system (stress-skin panels) is an energy efficient method of enclosing the frame. The panels are placed on the outside of the frame, providing a foam core with no thermal breaks. Our homes are beautiful, energy efficient, and comfortable to live in winter through summer.

Question 7: How do we get started, or where do we go next?

Once you have a piece of property, we can start the design process. We visit the building site with you and start developing preliminary plans. If you already have plans and know you want a timber frame home, we can put together a quote proposal that gives you a firm price for one of our packages. Call or e-mail us today, and we?ll suggest what seems most appropriate for your situation.

Question 8: How long does a building project take?

In general, a new home on an undeveloped piece of property will take 8 to 12 months from site development to house completion. Because we pre-cut the timbers in our shop, our packages go up quickly, usually frames are erected in one week and panels installed in 5 to 8 days.

Question 9: Do you have a network of people that will help us complete our project?

Yes, over the last 30 years, we have developed an excellent network of contractor/builders who have successfully helped our clients finish their projects once our package is complete.