Part Three: THE ART of TIMBER FRAME: Choosing a Timber Frame Supplier

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.

Part Two Continued: THE ART of TIMBER FRAME

Choosing the Builder is what makes your Timber Frame Dream come true. The Builder has the relationships and knowledge to assist in the design for all catagories of building, not just Timber Frame. The Supplier has design programs and hides the cost in sale process of the Timber Frame. These Suppliers do not take into account the HVAC or Radiant planning as a example. This is where the Builder is already on line, familiar with Timber Frame before the design begins. Local Architect has “Hands on Experience” knowing the rules of the land, permitting, and if a problem does occur, he is just phone call away to come and visit the site. Working with a local experienced Timber Frame Architect, Builder, and a reliable Supplier who does not have the attitude of once the Timber Frame is done, they don’t care what happens. I was really put back. Every home Specialty Built Construction builds can shown to potential clients. What great way to see the “glow”the past client has while  they share their experience and the relationship they have with Specialty Built Construction. All of this occurs because of Steve Dona Architects, Kirkland Washington(www.dona-arch.com) and Okanagan Timber Frame, Salmon Arm, British Columbia Canada(www.oktimber.com)

Be aware of “Timber Frame Rough In Packages”. In most cases if your are having this home being your “primary residence”, these packages miss many of the details. This is another reason to have your Timber Frame Builder like Specialty Built Construction on line working with your Architect and Supplier. 

This brings us to Part Three: THE ART of TIMBER FRAME Choosing a Timber Frame Supplier.  Look for Part Three. Great points to consider and how magazine articles “don’t tell it all that needs to be shared”.

Parrt Two Continued: THE ART of TIMBER FRAME

Continued: These Timer Frame Suppliers are friendly attempting to get as much information about you to see if thereis a weakness or wanting to do business with you. The problem we have is there are not enough Builders like Specialty Built Construction who know how to build with Timber Frame. Once you been nationally published 14 times, theses Suppliers take notice. This is where I am the person who decides which Supplier I use for my project. During these discussions I asked what is their follow up with the client once they have purchased the Timber Frame. The answer really surprised me; “Once the Timber Frame is up we could care less”. I was really put back with the arrogant response. Is this what you want to hear? But you don’t know this is going to be the response. Close the deal and run. It is because this type of response gives so much value to my building process. I am there for you as a “life long referral”.  More to follow on choosing your Builder, Architect, and Timber Frame Supplier.

Part Two: THE ART of TIMBER FRAME

We have arrived into the next decade of 2010. I hope everyone had a great holiday season with hopes 2010 will be the beginning of a growing economy. From a Builder standpoint we will have challenges but we will be able to build with these challenges. Currently building costs in most cases are still low for the time being. Framing wood is beginning to climb. Plumbing and electrical are following in line with these minor increases. There some real interesting costing scenarios occurring that the “Buyer be aware” tag should mark those “To Good to Believe” costing. If it that good there is something about that will come from behind and it will increase your costs after the smoke clears.

Part Two is about choosing the correct Builder, Architect, and Timber Frame Company. Being a Builder with a neutral stand regarding the choice of suppliers including Timber Frame, many companies come to me wanting to do business.  I have my preferences but the door is always open. What really caught me to take notice was a meeting with a particular Timber Frame Supplier last October at the Log and Timber Frame Show 2009. These shows are very interesting because each Timber Frame Company watches every person going from booth to booth noting the amount of time the person spends in a particular booth. Along with that each Timber Frame Company will come to your booth to see why they spent more time in your booth versus theirs’.  Next page to follow this post.

Making Your Timber Home Living Building Experience “THE BEST EVER”

Hell’o to all who love the Art of Timber Frame or Timber Frame Living.

PART ONE

Before getting into my Timber Frame Information, let me  first state it has been a while since my last Blog and I am truly sorry for the delay. Your Blog support has been a real help to my cause. Building “Green” has really been compromised and now regulated into the Government Bureaucracy for “Taxation” not “Environmental” purposes. Please don’t believe all that you currently hear about the “Carbon Footprint”  because with all the new eduacation and discovery, the old calcultions are constantly changing with more accurate information. It is a mixed group of messages “For” and “Against” the Carbon Footprint -STAY TUNED  FOR INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC, I AM JUST WARMING UP.

Let’s talk about how to enjoy your timber home living and the process to assure you will.  Recently Specialty Built Construction LLC has been nationally published/recognized for the 12th and 13th time. This is an exceptional honor to receive and only thanks to you, of course a great photographer, and a publisher of a Timber Home Living Magazine to recognize our homes for this to occur. It is because of this I felt it time to give you some talking points to assure your total enjoyment throughout the whole Timber Frame Building Process.

I cannot tell you how many times while exhibiting at the Log and Timber Home Shows I hear a potential client comment “Finally, there is someone who is actually a true Timber Frame Builder here that I have seen in one of the Timber Frame Magazines”, “Not another New Local Independent Rep”, “I just talked to so an so just the other month and now he is gone”.   There are many more comments similar to these but no need to say much more.  

So after this last Fall 2009 experience of Home Shows and Log and Timber Shows, it is time to open up a bit and help you understand why the Timber Frames Homes I build achieve national recognition. It is a simple rule, have an award winning, nationally published Timber Frame architect as a partner and myself as the builder, Specialty Built Construction LLC. Together we listen to all your needs, assure they are applied, match every aspect to your site, and assure all applications are included. With the winning combination of all of us, homeowner included, we plan together, choose the appropiate products, and build your actual Timber Frame dream home.

The complement of our work combined with your desires make our businesses successful even in these tough times because we are not designing a home that is a spin off of a ”Package Home” already  designed but never built, or worse for you, to be told what to build within predetermined company plans. You the homeowner have given us the privilege to “design and build” your home from start to completion with your total input. This process prevents what we call ”piecemealing” products or services. Specifically, there are numerous Timber Frame manufacturers who want you to use their total services and products. In many cases it not a good idea to use products from other parts of the United States that are not suited for our climate and local building code in the Great Pacific Northwest. Nor should one be swayed by a design concept that does not complement our area as well. To separate us further from manufacturers, all of our processes are actual line items, not grouped together to conceal true costs. This is an area in our process where you can see each and every cost. Afterall you are paying for it, therefore you should understand how it all works and what it really costs.

We have your best interests in mind, not what is best for the manufacterer. 

Where we truly begin to diverge from manufacturers’ packages is by utilizing the experience of a builder like Specialty Built Construction LLC who has a proven track record for more than a decade in the local building area and is familiar with structural codes, environmental needs, building products and product services when needed. More specifically, Specialty Built Constrcution LLC has been using the same quality subcontractors and suppliers for over this time period  - all of whom are familiar with the”Green and LEED Building Process” and are certified subcontractors/suppliers as well.  This is total quality control from start to completion of your home always knowing where the accountabilty lies.

Now we come to “Choosing an Actual Timber Frame Fabricator/Company” who specializes in true custom Timber Frames.  This is where our experience as a builder and architect have specific fabricators/companies in mind. These fabricators/companies you don’t see advertised in the major magazines like Timber Home Living, Log Home Living, or the now the no longer published Timber Homes Illustrated.  Why? The savvy home buyer knows these fabricators/companies from our national publications utilizing their talents and service as part of our long term relationship. Together, a full team recognition comes together to build the unique, indivually finshed Timber Frame home. 

You, the homeowner, have made a “dream investment” - it our responsibility to assure that dream comes true. Our relationship is a lifetime referral. Not a C.O.D. check, drop the Timber Frame and the job is done. That’s it? Yes, in most cases with large manufacturers the delegation process leaves the homeowner alone with a builder not familiar with any issues regarding the Timber Frame or any product provided by them. 

“Pricing and Quality of Your Timber Frame Home” designed and built through Specialty Built Construction LLC will have the most competitive pricing but more important quality above all else. More on this subject in “PART TWO OF THE ART OF TIMBER FRAME”.

We are now looking forward to your feedback, share experiences and any questions. Please check in frequently to view responses and experiences on my Blog at www.specialtybuiltconstrucion.com .

Thanks for your time,

Rick Stockmann

Confusion about Specialty Built Construction L.L.C.

It is time to “SPEAK OUT” once again about Bottom Feeders, not just in the “GREEN  WORLD” but also in the “GENERAL CONTRACTORS/BUILDERS WORLD”. Specialty Built Construction L.L.C has participated in six different types of Homes Shows over the last eight months. After the Seattle Home Show in February 2009, it has become apparent how confused the Common Home Buyer can become. In each case from every Show, I find it interesting how other Companies/Competitors will spin everything about Specialty Built Contruction L.L.C. rather than to define their quality of product or by selling their advantages to build with them.  As people would walk by our booth, they would say, “We can’t afford you”. Not true at all! Our pictures displayed may look very expensive, however very few are. It is the quality of workmanship and great choices our Clients make. Many of these choices are what we call “Value engineering”, or better said, a less costly product. Being less costly does not mean it should look that way. With our talented Journeymen/Craftsmen, we can make virtually anything look great with the proper installation practices. 

With all the current negativity being presented to us by the Press, Newspapers, and Rumors, I can understand peoples’ fear. ”Bad News” travels fast and the worse it sounds the quicker it gets published or put on the news and rumored about. That in mind, when a Company has great news to tell you, it can get smothered in with the negative. This is exactly what has happen to a Great Company called Specialty Built Construction L.L.C.

Specialty Built Construction L.L.C. is growing despite all the rumors, negativity, and very bad press about our economy. In fact our Washington based Company is growing and has already expanded to Oregon in October 2008, and Alaska in June 2009, during these very tough times. This is being done while many, many other construction companies/builders/timber frame suppliers are down sizing. The only way that this expansion could occur is by the great support to Build in these times. This in itself - Building, during these times is great but to expand in these times is another great accomplishment and shows our strength. 

Where the confusion arises is many of you as the General Public can be misled by a few bad companies. So rather than rebuttal or even acknowledge them, we are going to make sure everyone understands all the services provided by Specialty Built Construction L.L.C. Our Company’s first and utmost service,  is being a General Contractor/Builder. Custom Homes is our mainstay of business. Within this circle of “Types of Building Business”, we have our Standard Construction and Additions/Remodeling means of building a home. This is followed very closely with our Timber Frame/Reclaimed Timber means of building a home which receives most of our National recognition and publications. Finally, following up with our Energy Efficient Type of Homes” which also is in every one of our homes one type or another. We build to include one or many of the current means to save energy - Solar Electrical and Hot Water, Geothermal, Radiant, Wind, Structural Insualted Panels, Insualted Concrete Forms, Sustainable Building Products, Efficient Building Techniques to preserve our precious energy, Minimal Land Usage with the proper Land Planning Group. Never forgetting a great set of Banks for you to work with. 

Now with all that being said, it should be clear  why you should build with Specialty Built Construction L.L.C. Many of our building products pricing has dropped to some of the lowest in twenty years, while just a few others only a few percentage points. Interest rates are in the low 5% area and won’t stay there once the economy picks up. Thats when eveyone will decide to build and buy. Costs will go up once that occurs. ”Now” is the best time to build and you know who you should choose - Specialty Built Construction L.L.C. 

We look forward to hear from you. Please contact us through our website www.specialtybuiltconstruction.com or rick@specialtybuiltconstruction.com

Thank you for taking the time to read our comments.

Carbon Footprint

State of Washigton very quietly passed Legislation February 2008 regarding the “Carbon Footprint”. All the regulations have no merit, no facts, just “ASSUMPTIONS” or BEST GUESS” as to how to regulate our Carbon Dioxide (Co2) release into the Atmosphere. They are attacking the Building Industry and making you the Land Owner, Builder, $pay more$ for your right to build, limit what you can build and where. All these decisions are based on totally nothing. There are statistics now released from California that the total “Carbon Footprint” of Building a New Home is less than .01% percent. Not 17%-30% percent like our State Government claims. These facts are proven not “ASSUMED”. Just for grins, contact your local State Representative, or Senator and ask them about the “Carbon Footprint”. See if they even know about it and see if they say what they are told to say. Report back and let us know your findings. Have Fun.

Let’s talk real Green Building.

Buyer Beware!! The use of the word “GREEN” or “Building Green” is so totally being abused, stolen by Non Certified Builders and Suppliers that - “TRUE QUALIFIED BUILDERS IN THE CERTIFIED “BUILT GREEN” PROGRAMs ARE NOT ACHIEVING THE CREDIT THEY AND THEIR CLIENTS DESERVE. THERE IS ONE COMPANY IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WHO CLAIMS TO BE A TIMBER FRAME SUPPLIER AND STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANEL(SIPS)SUPPLIER WHO IS NOT CERTIFIED, HAS NEVER BUILT A HOME TO KNOW WHAT IT EVEN TAKES TO BE CERTIFIED AS “GREEN”, “ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME”, CLAIMING THE WORDS BY CHANGING THEM AROUND TO”GREEN BUILT”. TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER, THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN QUOTED AT THE “SEATTLE HOME SHOW”, BOTH “LOG AND TIMBER SHOWS IN TACOMA,WA AND PORTLAND,OR” “THAT YOU DON’T NEED TO DO ALL THAT GREEN CERTIFICATION STUFF”, “YOU ARE WAISTING YOUR MONEY”, JUST BY USING TIMBER FRAME AND STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS(SIPS) YOU CAN ACHIEVE 50% TO 60% ENERGY SAVINGS. DID ANYONE ASK HIM WHERE ARE HIS PROVEN FACTS TO PROVE THESE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE? PLEASE CHECK WITH THE “BUILT GREEN ASSOCIATION” TO VERIFY PEOPLE AND COMPANIES LIKE THIS WHO MAKE TOTALY UNQUALIFED STATEMENTS TO PROFIT ON YOUR HARD WORKING $DOLLARS$ DON’T THINK BECAUSE THEY CAN DO IT FOR “LESS” IT IS GOING TO BE BETTER?

Specialty Built Construction has the the proven facts from the Energy Certification Programs PROVIDED BY THE MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION AND THE BUILT GREEN ASSOCIATION OF KING AND SNOHOMISH COUNTIES. So “WE CAN” verify that your Home is actually Energy Efficient and the Real Estate Mutiple Listing Services has the information to back it up. You cannot legally list a “Home For Sale” stating any actual percentage % of energy efficiency without a Certified Energy Test by a Certified Company who is specifically trained and registered to the State as such. Now the GOOD NEWS that the “bottom feeders” who state these untruths and use our GREEN NAME to MAKE DIRTY $GREEN$ are not aware of but soon they will about the GOOD NEWS. We have Real Estate Mutliple Listing (MLS) proof to show that from July 2007 to present 2008 about proven Energy Efficient Homes: Here are the facts.

1- A Cerfified Energy Efficient Home whether Older Home,Remodeled,or New, sell for 10 to 17% higher than current listings.

2- These Energy Efficient Homes are listed on the Real Estate Multiple Listing Service(MLS)for less time than Homes that are not unfortunatelty Energy Efficient.

3- It takes a true quality builder to go through the mutiple certifications and cannot use the name “BUILT GREEN” unless that new home being built or remodeled has been Certified.

4- The total quality of the new home being built or remodel has so much improved from the standard contruction. If it was not, just a “Blower Door Test” would identify all the “Leaks” in your home. Take it step further, how about a “Infra-Red Test” done as well that shows all the heat loss or cold coming into your home. Then the final and true test a full “ENERGY STAR TEST*” where you whole Heating/ Ventilation system is checked by a “Duct Blaster Test” which shows all the areas in which your ducts and the furnace “‘Leak” that “Precious Heated Air” that is just leaking out into you crawlspace. Your truly Qualified Builder has to build better than the “Norm” from the ground up. Every step of the Building Process has to be better than the “Norm” otherwise the series of the ENERGY STAR* Tests will show your Builders deficiencies.

Bottom line is you get what you “PAY FOR”. TRUST BUT VERIFY!! If a Builder, Supplier, or Anyone saying anything about Energy Efficeint Homes and or their products or process is stated as such - Energy Efficient - Prove it to me!! Bring in Trained Certified Evaluater. Or call the local Built Green Association. They will tell you if this Company is 1- Qualified, 2- Has an actual product or home that has been “Built Green Certified”.

Don’t have some “Bottom Feeder” change a few words to bring you in and believe his process is less money and more effcient. Can’t happen. These People and Companies need to be exposed like on this Blog, prosecuted by the powers to be for “False Advertising” and see the other side of the well built Prison they deserve that I know is not “Energy Efficient” or “User Friendly” and I dont think they are “Organic” or was built with “Low VOC’s”. They will be with fellow “Bottom Feeders”.

Support you Local Qualified Builder. They have worked hard to prove their homes are built in the very best manner for your life long enjoyment. I Know Specialty Built Construction does. Proven, Recognized Nationally and Published by International Magazines.

Fell free to respond to my blog, report on Bottom Feeders, Dead Beats who are taking a very good thing and stealing all of our great accomplishments,or email me personally at rick@specialtybuiltconstruction.com I will repsond with as much enthusiam as I can.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein

Welcome to my blog, it’s now re-open!