Part Three: THE ART of TIMBER FRAME: Choosing a Timber Frame Supplier
February 2nd, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »Well here we are and I am having blog publications floating in space. If you find one let me know.
We now have the Builder and Architect, is time to pick a Timber Frame Manufacturer. We are only going to source the Timber Frame working with our Architect and Builder. All other products to build the “water tight shell” will be purchased locally by the Builder. Why does the Builder purchase locally? Quality, Control, Endless Choices, Pricing, Warranty Issues. All of the mentioned items is where buying through the Timber Frame Supplier become problems. The Builder has relationships with local suppliers and has the backing from those suppliers. You have to remember the Timber Frame Supplier does not care about you once they deliver the Timber Frame package. Try getting a window replaced if it was purchased through the Timber Frame Supplier. It is at this point you begin to start thinking “why didn’t I use the local contacts from my Builder”. Once the problems start they grow. I have heard it, seen the problems, asked to fix it.
Now that we are a team, Builder, Architect and you the home owner, we can choose the correct Timber Frame Supplier. The Builder with Timber Frame experience has relationships with several Timber Frame Suppliers. Of which one is his primary choice. The meetings begin, design is complete and we are now at the pricing stage for the Timber Frame and all the items for the watertight shell. It is at this point you know you have a unique home that has not been built before. You are not just a ”look a like” design that comes from the package home designs. All items of the build-out have been addressed from the HVAC, Radiant Flooring, Windows, and so on.
Now comes the time the Timber Frame arrives. If it was not purchased through the Builder, you do not have control of the project which you need. In most cases as with Specialty Built Construction we have crews from my side and the Manufacturer we have a relationship with. This way you can be assured the raising will go well. Not all Timber Frame Manufacturers have a full program to raise the frame. They just give you a day or so and leave. It is this point again I leave you with this comment, “Once we deliver and raise the Timber Frame we are done and don’t care what happens after that point” This comment was made by the owner of a very prominent Timber Frame Company who at the time wanted to do business with Specialty Built Construction.
This arrogant comment is much larger of an issue than the common person is aware of. This arrogance goes even further controlling what will be said regarding the articles published in our Timber Frame Magazines. The stories are the client and the Timber Frame Suppliers. But the work was performed by a very qualified Builder who has the life long relationship with the owner. The Builder deserves to be part of the story. This control is caused by the advertising dollars provided by the Timber Frame Suppliers. It goes so far as to how a particular Log and Timber Exhibition Show does not go past the Rocky Mountains. I can only guess is that perhaps they don’t have control of that market. They would have to work with a Builder who has a relationship with Timber Frame Suppliers which design-build unique Timber Frames.
This only proves that these companies are true to the comment they” don’t care”. They don’t care that the downsized timbers do not fill the room correctly, the shell products are of lesser quality and they don’t care. Specialty Built Construction does care including all of my Suppliers and Sub Contractors. My Architect cares about his design and he will at the jobsite on a weekly basis. Finally my Timber Frame Manufacturer, Okanagan Timber Frame cares who visits our clients on a yearly basis. You the home owner see the commitment from the whole team which give you the confidence that your dream home will be just that and a “life long referral” for all of us.
Using a knowledgeable Builder and Architect will make your journey that much more pleasing, less stressful and a home that has never been designed before. The home is unigue and very special to you. Friends were made along the building path.
