Our building process will be a different experience for everyone as we make sure our approach to your project is the right one for you. To give you an idea of what you can expect from us here is a guide to how we will go about creating your new space.
1 | Our Initial Consultation
It all starts with a chat. A conversation about your project, what you want, how far along you may already be and how we can help bring your ideas to life. We can talk on the phone, or you can come to our workshop and see first hand what we do. We plot out a plan and agree on the next steps. Often this means coming to see you on site to learn more and sometimes it also means getting other people involved such as architects and engineers. Sometimes we can move straight to the in-house drawing and design work. Whatever we agree, you will then get a written proposal and an estimate so you can decide whether you want to move onto the next step. If you do want to move forward, a deposit will be required and depending on the size of the project more information will be gathered to help with the planning and design phase.
2 | Planning and Design
The next step is to draw out the plans for your project. We will use photographs of the site and take careful measurements so we can create a 3D model of the frame, separate to any architects plans you may have. If you do already have plans, we can use this to work from and if not, we can start from scratch. These drawings help us accurately cost out the final project and will become the workshop drawings our framers will eventually build from. Once we think we've met the brief, we share these designs with you and using your feedback make any revisions as necessary until we agree on the final look. Once you're happy with the design, we will send you the final quote, a payment schedule and a contract to sign and will then book your project into our diary.
3 | Building the Frame
We source our wood from our preferred local sawmill, sorting the timbers by hand and grading them to ensure we are using the highest quality materials. We will then scribe it, marking out all the joints to account for the variance and natural shapes of the timber. Once the joints are marked, they are cut using a combination of hand and power tools to maximise both efficiency and control. Working by hand, combined with our deep understanding of the properties of the timber, allows us to work with it, using it to its best potential, providing the structure, strength and beauty needed for your space. Once the frame has been cut, we will add the finishing touches such as chamfers or letter carving before preparing the frame to be moved to site.
4 | Raising The Frame
Raising Day is when your building really begins to take shape. We bring the frame to site and put it together using hand drawn pegs to secure the joints. This technique has been used in timber frames for centuries; the pegs lock the joints together providing a strong connection that continues to get stronger as the green timber slowly dries out. Depending on the size of the project it can take from a couple of days to over a week to put together but once it is up your frame is complete.
5 | Completing the build
Once the frame has been erected, the next stages of the build can begin. For clients who have commissioned a frame only, the project will be handed over to their chosen builders to complete the remaining work. For full-build projects, we continue to work through every stage of construction, including wall build-ups, roofing, insulation, plastering, joinery, and glazing. We carefully manage the entire process to ensure every aspect of the build is completed to an exceptionally high standard, delivering a finished home ready to move straight into.