Choosing a timber frame company to work with is an important decision. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Davis Frame Company and our services:
What distinguishes Davis Frame Company from other timber frame companies?
What can Davis Frame Company provide?
Does Davis Frame Company build my home?
What is the cost of building a Davis Frame timber home?
How do my plans get done?
Can I adapt a timber frame to an existing floor plan?
How long does it take from the start of design until delivery of my timber frame?
How long does it take to erect the frame and install the panels?
What is the next step?
Q.1 What distinguishes Davis Frame Company from other timber frame companies?
When it comes to the most important aspects of building a custom home—design, detail, and materials—Davis Frame Company offers more options than any other timber frame company. You can also choose between a completely custom home, or choose one of our pre-designed Classic Barn Homes floor plans which can be modified as required to meet your needs. Whatever the project, you’ll benefit from our extensive knowledge and experience in home design and timber frame construction.
- Our design and production facilities are in one location. This allows us to communicate the most effectively between the design and cutting phases of building a timber frame home, as well as to ensure that the work is done right without unnecessary additional cost.
- Davis Frame Company combines state-of-the-art technology with the detail of hand craftsmanship to create the curved braces, joinery details, and chamfering which have become distinctive features of Davis Frame homes. Our frames are individually crafted, not mass produced. Hand-cut timber frames are available if desired. For our Douglas fir timber frames we use only “dense select” grade, free of heart center (FOHC), except for timbers larger than 10”x12”. Our tung oil finish is applied to the timbers in our shop, not in the field. Timbers are well-protected during delivery with lumber wrap and are also fully tarped on the flat bed trucks.
- One computer program is used to design and cut the timber frame, which guarantees precision in the execution of the design. Again, the benefit to you is that you can have full confidence that the project will be executed exactly as designed.
- Davis Frame Company can ship our timber frame homes anywhere you want them delivered!
- Our company is small enough to work with clients on an individual basis but large enough to take on just about any project. President Jeff Davis is personally involved in every project. Now in our second decade, we have the experience and staff to help you create your dream home—and we’ll be here in ten years when you are ready for an addition!
Q.2 What can Davis Frame Company provide?
Custom-designed or pre-designed plans that include elevations, cross sections details, floor plans, foundation plans, framing plans for the timber frame, and plans for the non-timber frame areas of construction.
We have full design services available that can be tailored to fit your individual needs.
A refined, hand-crafted timber frame, in a choice of dense select Douglas Fir, white pine, oak, or other species are available, including reclaimed timbers that are typically salvaged from old barns and buildings.
Materials for a weather-tight shell and beautiful interior, including:
- Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) enclosure system
- Optional our own soy-based panel, eSIPS Insulated Panels (eSIPS)
- Insulated Concrete Foundations (ICF)
- Second floor system
- Pre-cut dimensional material
- Certainteed siding
- Cedar siding and exterior trim
- Cedar or heavy-duty asphalt shingle roofing
- Superior quality windows and doors
- Timber framed stairs and railings
Download our exterior shell package model!
Q.3 Does Davis Frame Company build my home?
Davis Frame Company has a frame and panel installation crew that has traveled around North America. For locations outside of New England, we can also suggest independent frame and panel installation crews or we can provide a technical assistant who will work with your general contractor to assemble the frame and panels to our exacting specifications, after which your general contractor or subcontractor builds the rest of your home. Davis Frame Company can assist you in finding a contractor to do the work if you do not already have one.
Q.4 What is the cost of building a Davis Frame timber frame home?
The cost of a complete Davis Frame package depends on many factors, including the type of timber frame system chosen, wood species chosen, degree of finish, and the complexity of the joinery. For example, a two-story colonial-style home is less expensive per square foot than a single-story home with cathedral ceilings. Prices can also vary depending on the final selection of materials in the package. For more information on total costs, please contact your Davis Frame Sales Representative by calling 1-800-636-0993.
Some Davis Frame clients act as their own general contractor and save as much as 20% compared to the costs of hiring one. This option must be carefully considered because of the time and complexity of such an undertaking.
Q.5 How do my plans get completed?
Davis Frame Company offers several timber frame design services. Choose from one of these three options in working with us on your project:
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Work directly with our in-house team of gifted and experienced designers, led by our President Jeff Davis for, (all within Energy-Star and LEED guidelines, if requested).
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Use our in-house architectural design department and work with our standard designs to develop architectural drawings.
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Develop an architectural design with an independent architect and use our design department to develop the timber frame drawings.
Our standard Design Deposit Agreement requires an initial deposit. After that, all design and drafting by our designers time is billed at an hourly rate. At the end of the revision and quoting process, if you choose to purchase the Davis Frame package, your deposit will be credited toward your package price.
Q.6 Can I adapt a timber frame to an existing floor plan?
Timber framing is very adaptable to different architectural styles. A lot of the work we do is with clients who like an existing plan, but who wish to change a few things to meet their specific needs. We are careful not to reproduce any copyrighted plans from other companies, and work with you to use your plan as a starting point to develop a custom timber frame home that is uniquely yours.
Q.7 How long does it take from the start of design until delivery of my timber frame?
This process can take as little as three months or as long as nine months depending on the complexity of the design and the number of changes required in the process of refining it. When the design is complete, it generally takes eight weeks to cut and deliver your timber frame. However, if timing is critical, it is sometimes possible to expedite delivery.
Q.8 How long does it take to erect the frame and install the panels?
On average, it takes about three weeks; however, the size and complexity of the building, site constraints, and weather conditions can affect the amount of time it will take. The remainder of the construction process is the same as any conventional home and usually takes 9 to 12 months.
Q.9 What is the next step?
If you have plans or drawings and would like an estimate on your project, mail or fax them to us. Our turnaround time is usually 10 to 14 days. If you need design services, call our toll-free number 1-800-636-0993 to set up an appointment to discuss your ideas and specifications.
