Choosing your timber framer is one of the most important steps in your design/build process. The company you choose will be key in making the process a wonderful experience or a ” git’er done” experience.
Do your research and narrow your choice down to two or three companies that you feel would best meet your needs.
- Contact them by phone and/or email to discuss your project and how they would work with you throughout the design and build process.
- Talk about the services they offer and their flexibility.
- Ask who would be taking care of your project at each stage and if they would be readily available when (not if) you ran into any issues.
- Discuss your budget and ask if they are willing to work with you to build within that budget.
- Whatever your priority is…green building, cost, support, etc…discuss it.
- If you are building from a distance, ask how the plan review process will be handled.
As you talk, or even email, through these issues, you will get a feel for whether this company would be a good fit. Don’t discount that “comfort level” that comes from visiting with someone who shows genuine interest in your project. Building can be stressful and it’s easier if you like the person you are working with.
You will have noted that it’s almost impossible to get “apples to apples” in either services offered or costs. If you are more comfortable with fixed costs, make sure that the timber frame company is willing to commit to that. You’ll find that, at the end of the day, there is very little difference in the cost to build. Some companies will have lower upfront pricing, but when all is said and done, you will pay someone to do the balance of the work. So do keep this in mind and don’t be tempted to cut corners here.
Once you have chosen a company, visit with some of their clients. Discuss the process and find out if they were pleased with their choice. Ask whether they stayed on budget and how they helped the client to keep costs in line. Try to talk to more current clients and to clients that have had their homes for a while. This will give you a better overview of the company.
Above all, go with your instincts. This part of the building process should never be discounted or rushed.
That said, I’ll sign off for now.
Bonnie Pickartz