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"I would describe the Blue Ridge group as reputable, honest and fair. "You all took pride in your work and it shows in the craftsmanship... Great Job!!!" - C.S. of
Hiawassee, GA  |
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Q & A
Is it true what they say about round pegs and square holes?
Here you will find answers to many commonly asked questions and a full explanation of our products and services. Please contact us if you'd like to discuss your future building project or if you desire to arrange a visit. We enjoy showing off our craft, we love to talk; and we certainly welcome the opportunity to be included in your home planning considerations.
Let's start with the question that all of our clients get to sooner or later...
What Do You Supply? [Note: Blue Ridge Timber Frame, Inc. is a member of the local Home Builders' Association (HBA) and holds an unlimited contractor's license in the state of North Carolina. This enables us to bid and perform on projects of any size. We offer "turn key" construction for those clients building within 50 miles (approx.) of our location.] For clients who will be utilizing the services of another general contractor our role is that of a designer/manufacturer this outline highlights those items typically included in a standard package:
Click any question of interest or scroll down to read the entire list.
What is a timber frame? Does a Blue Ridge timber frame offer advantages over log construction? How experienced is the Blue Ridge team? Do you have a model home we can see? Where will you build? What do you provide? What is your warranty? How are the packages shipped? How are the package materials unloaded at my site? Who can build my Blue Ridge home? Can I act as my own general contractor? How long does it take to build a Blue Ridge home? Do I get assistance with the package assembly? Which costs less a Blue Ridge crew assembly or assembly by my local builder? Do I get assistance later on? What species of wood do you work in? How are your frames enclosed? Are there any special foundation requirements? How are plumbing and wiring handled? Can I change one of your library plans or create one of my own? How does the design and order process work? Do you sell plans? What if I need engineering? Can I make an addition to my home later on? Do you do additions? What is a hybrid? Do you do more than residential frames? How much does a Blue Ridge home cost? Why do cost per square foot vary? Do you provide financing? What will a bank think of my project? What about resale value? What is the next step? What is a timber frame? A timber frame is a post and beam structure that incorporates a centuries old building technique – locking together solid timbers with traditional mortise and tenon joints secured with hardwood pegs. The artistically crafted timber frame creates the "bones" of the building (which includes posts, beams, timber rafters, ceiling joists, diagonal braces etc.) and is fully exposed to the interior of the home. Since there are typically no load bearing walls – open floor plans, dramatic vaulted ceilings and window walls are commonly incorporated into the designs.
At Blue Ridge we employ a combination of computerized precision cutting and hand crafting. Sharp timber edges may be "softened" with a draw knife or router and the beams may be given an oil finish prior to being bundled for shipment.
Does a Blue Ridge timber frame offer advantages over log construction? Yes. A Blue Ridge Timber Frame provides the rich beauty of wood within a bright, comfortable well-insulated envelope. The timbers are not exposed to the weather and the outside of the home is flexible in appearance –traditional, rustic, contemporary, shingle style, adirondack camp etc. On the exterior a Blue Ridge home can be virtually maintenance free – finished with brick, stone, stucco or any siding you prefer. On the interior, flat walls between the timber frame members (typically sheet rock) provide the opportunity to add color and contrast, creating a suitable backdrop for artwork, furniture, pictures and the like. In comparison, anyone looking at log home construction should consider the following:
How experienced is the Blue Ridge team? Our team members have diverse backgrounds with an impressive resume of experience in projects large and small. The Blue Ridge staff has decades of combined history in timber frame construction with involvement in timber frames from Michigan to Florida and as far west as Nevada. In addition to custom residential timber frames, members of our group have successfully participated in light commercial applications including; bridge, church, restaurant, retail, equestrian and golf clubhouse structures. Click Here to Meet Our Team Members. Return to top of questions Do you have a model home we can see? Yes, we currently have a model home located just below our workshop at 2585 US Hwy 70 in Swannona, NC just off I-40. The frame includes a hammer beam truss, a timber frame entryway, beautiful Douglass Fir and Cypress beams and a shell made up of SIP wall panels. There are also some private homes in our area that we have built and can be shown sometimes by appointment and with adequate notice. Return to top of questions Where will you build? While we can ship our packages anywhere within the continental United States. Our focus market is the eastern U.S. On site, our package may be assembled by a Blue Ridge Timber Frame crew or it may be assembled by your local builder's crew utilizing our printed standard details and site work guidelines. A Blue Ridge field advisor is also available for all package assemblies. Return to top of questions What do you provide? The Blue Ridge building system typically includes: detailed construction drawings, a pre-cut and labeled timber frame delivered to the site ready for assembly, tongue and groove materials (for loft/second level decks and vaulted ceilings), pre-cut or field cut Structural Insulated Panel wall and roof systems, pegs, fasteners, printed site work guidelines and standard details. An on-site advisor or assembly crew are also available at additional cost. Return to top of questions What is your warranty? A warranty is a promise that is as good as the company that stands behind it. Many warranties today are not real promises at all, but rather marketing tools that if understood are often useless to the purchaser.
At Blue Ridge our integrity is our warranty. We stand behind our work and understand that our future success relies on fair business practice and satisfied clients. Our staff is solutions oriented and is always available for consultation on any problem a client may have now or in the future - whether or not it relates to the actual timber frame. In addition we do provide a three-year structural warranty on the timber frame itself. If structural insulated panels are used the manufacturer's warranty is passed directly to the client.
How are the packages shipped? Blue Ridge arranges shipment of the package to the site (or if the site is not accessible delivery will be to a shuttle point-from this point the frame assembly contractor will take care of the arrangements to have it safely delivered to the site). Frame packages leave our yard on board 40'-48' flatbed trucks. The timbers are tarped to protect them during transit. Most of our frame and panel packages require three or four trucks.
Anticipate a minimum charge of $400/truck for freight and material handling. Long distance deliveries are charged by weight and mileage (variations in fuel costs will affect the rate).
How are the package materials unloaded at my site? For the safety of the crew and to prevent damage to the timber we recommend an all terrain heavy-duty forklift with a 14' lift height and a 6,000 pound lift capacity. Return to top of questions Who can build my Blue Ridge home? Building a Blue Ridge home, like any other home will require finding a reputable and capable local builder with the right attitude to take on your project. Because building a timber frame requires "thinking outside the box" you will probably have more success approaching a custom home builder or a builder who does a lot of remodeling than a builder who focuses on "cookie cutter" construction. Word of mouth is the best way to find a good builder. You may consider asking the local building supply who the good contractors are in the area. They will tend to refer you to the builders with integrity…those who pay their bills on time, the ones they like to work with, the ones with a good history of success.
The Blue Ridge timber frame package comes pre-cut and labeled for easy assembly. Always included in our package are printed site work guidelines and standard details. An on site field advisor or assembly by a Blue Ridge crew are optional. Within our local area (50 miles approx.) Blue Ridge offers whole house construction.
Can I act as my own general contractor? For some talented individuals a Blue Ridge timber frame package provides a wonderful opportunity to build their own home. Whether or not this is a viable option will depend on the terms of your construction loan, the amount of time you have available, your abilities and your local building restrictions. Many areas prohibit owner-built homes.
Acting as your own general contractor may save some money and it can be a very rewarding experience. However, do not underestimate the amount of work that is involved. This is a full time job, it requires an extensive knowledge of home building with the ability to evaluate, supervise and schedule the work of many sub trades in order to keep the project on schedule and on budget.
How long does it take to build a Blue Ridge home? Our design schedule usually allows us to get drawings to you in four to six weeks. The turn around time on revisions is typically two weeks depending on client response time. Once the design process has been completed and you are ready to place an order we enter into a production agreement. It is typically ten to twelve weeks from the time we receive the initial deposit until the frame is delivered. Early deposits are encouraged for those clients desiring to take delivery during the prime building season (late Spring through Summer).
Construction time will vary with the size complexity, site conditions, weather, etc. Usually a frame is raised in 2-5 days, and dried in to the weather in another 2-3 weeks. Final completion time will depend on the nature of the project and the schedule of your contractor. For a residence you might plan on seven to nine months to complete a 3,000 sq.ft. custom home.
Do I get assistance with the package assembly? Blue Ridge typically supplies the frame raising crew for local projects. If you or your contractor are assembling the package, Blue Ridge offers an on site field advisor in addition to our printed standard details and site work guidelines. Return to top of questions Which costs less a Blue Ridge crew assembly or assembly by my local builder? Package assembly by your local builder will probably be more cost effective than a Blue Ridge crew assembly (if the project is beyond 50 miles from our shop). While the local crew will be slower due to lack of experience, you will not be bearing their expenses if the weather prohibits work (the crew will simply move to another local project - inside and out of the weather). On projects beyond 50 miles from our shop, a Blue Ridge crew has several additional associated expenses (travel, per diem, motel rooms etc.). If you have confidence in your builder, consider utilizing an on site field advisor from Blue Ridge in order to achieve an efficient assembly while keeping expenses to a minimum. Return to top of questions Do I get assistance later on? Being licensed general contractors and taking a hands on approach to projects near by, keeps us current on products and techniques. Our on going and practical experience in construction enables us to provide effective guidance to other builders completing our home packages. Return to top of questions What species of wood do you work in? We work in a variety of species. Douglas Fir, Cypress, Red and White Oak, Eastern White Pine, Red Cedar and reclaimed materials are all available options. Return to top of questions How are your frames enclosed? Our timber frames are most commonly enclosed with stress skin panels (a rigid foam core laminated between two sheets of exterior grade 7/16” oriented strand board), providing superior insulation and comfort. These panels (more properly called Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs) may be field-cut or pre-cut and are available in EPS or Urethane. Wall panels are typically R-17 to R-24 and roof panels may be R-30 or R-40. Return to top of questions Are there any special foundation requirements? The Blue Ridge system does not require any special foundation details. Interior posts have an associated point load and are most often located over lally columns (in full basements) or concrete piers (in crawl space conditions). Return to top of questions How are plumbing and wiring handled? On exterior walls our Structrual Insulated Panels (SIPs) include wiring chases. Allowances can be made in the SIPs for plumbing; however it is a better construction detail to keep plumbing out of exterior walls. Much of the plumbing and wiring in a house occur within interior partition walls that are conventionally framed. Plumbing drops from second levels are generally designed to occur inconspicuously (eg. Within a drop ceiling over a closet space). Return to top of questions Can I change one of your library plans or create one of my own? As long as the design or changes are structurally feasible within our framing systems; we will be glad to work with you to adjust any of our designs…or to develop a design of your own. Sometimes simple changes to an existing plan are all that will be required in order for it to fit your design style or to make it work with your site conditions and spatial requirements. Consider:
Return to top of questions How does the design and order process work? STANDARD PLANS - The package price for any of the Blue Ridge standard designs found here on our website (see floor plans section) includes a basic appraisal set of drawings for the standard plan and up to 30 hours of design time for modifications/revisions. Most commonly our clients will enter into a design agreement, a $3,000 deposit is collected and Blue Ridge then works through a design process, making changes as necessary in order to develop an appraisal set of drawings for their specific needs. These appraisal drawings will then be used to establish the overall construction budget with their contractor and acquire financing for the project. The initial design deposit will be credited toward the package price when the client enters a purchase agreement for the timber/panel package. On occasion, “locking in” a package price and securing a slot in our shop schedule is critical; if that is the case, a client may enter directly into a purchase agreement for any of the standard plan packages and Blue Ridge will proceed by first expediting any desired design modifications (client will be required to approve the revised plan and any associated price adjustments prior to frame fabrication). If additional design hours beyond 30 are required, these hours will be charged to the client at the rate of $50/hr. CUSTOM PLANS – BLUE RIDGE Custom house design requires an initial $4,000 design retainer to start the process. Design work is charged at a rate of $50/hour and is not part of the timber/panel package. A custom timber/panel package will be priced, once the design has been established and approved by the client. CUSTOM PLANS – THIRD PARTY If a client has a custom plan that they have generated from another source (architect, residential designer etc.). Blue Ridge can bid the timber/panel package for the project directly (Blue Ridge would be responsible for shop drawings and associated standard details for the timber frame package - the construction drawings would be provided by others). THE ORDER PROCESS - When a client is ready to move forward with a production agreement for their Blue Ridge timber frame package a 40% deposit will be required to secure a position in the shop schedule. A subsequent 40% progress payment is due upon substantial completion of the timber frame in our shop with the balance of the package price due at completion of the contract. Return to top of questions Do you sell plans? No. All of our design work is copyrighted and remains the property of Blue Ridge Timber Frame, Inc.
Plans are provided solely to enable the sale and fabrication of Blue Ridge Timber Frame, Inc. packages and to assist clients in the construction of their homes.
What if I need engineering? While rarely required in residential construction, we can provide the services of a third party engineering review for an additional fee. The direct cost for this service ($1,000-2,500 on average) will simply be passed on to the client. Return to top of questions Can I make an addition to my home later on? This is often quite simple. Since the timber frame is the structural component any exterior walls between posts can easily be removed to make way for outside doors or a connection to a complete addition. Return to top of questions Do you do additions? Yes; provided this represents new construction, our scope of work is clearly defined and there is significant content in the project for our group. For example a timber framed great room addition or a porte cochere would be considered while a remodel or second floor addition would not. Return to top of questions What is a hybrid? The term hybrid refers to combining building systems as in a partially timber framed, partially conventionally framed structure. This is a common practice due to design considerations or in order to expedite construction and/or reduce cost. Many of our home designs can be built this way, for example the public areas such as foyer, great room, dining and kitchen areas may be timber framed while the bedroom areas may be framed conventionally. Return to top of questions Do you do more than residential frames? Yes. A Blue Ridge Timber Frame with its beautifully exposed timbers is an outstanding choice for any project that has the intention of attracting and maintaining public interest. Signature structures can be created for stores and restaurants, churches, office buildings, lodges, pavilions, bridges, equestrian structures and more. Return to top of questions How much does a Blue Ridge home cost? The typical Blue Ridge package averages in the $45-55 per square foot range. Completed construction cost (excluding land, permits, driveways, landscaping etc.) average an additional $90-180 per square foot, sometimes more. A Blue Ridge Timber Frame home will compare in cost to a well built, conventionally framed custom home in the same area. Costs do vary greatly with site conditions, availability and cost of skilled labor, as well as the size and complexity of the structure. The final cost is greatly influenced by the selection of finishes, appliances and appointments.
For budgetary purposes, keep in mind and apply as necessary Harry's Rules of Construction #1... When you build a new house you get all new furniture.
Why do cost per square foot vary? While it is a common practice to "ball park" construction cost by the square foot; in reality, this is not a very logical method since it fails to give the project any definition. (It would be similar to trying to price groceries by the number of bags. This would not work because…it's not the number of bags so much as what is in the bags that determines the cost.) Square footage is just part of it, consider the following:
Do you provide financing? No. If financing is desired a construction loan should be obtained from a local lending institution. Shop around to obtain the best rate. Return to top of questions What will a bank think of my project? Our experience shows; that provided a person qualifies for a loan, their timber frame project is usually well received by the bank. While several banks refuse to lend money on log homes (probably due to a bad experience in the past or concern about resale value) we have found that our clients do not experience any difficulty acquiring financing. Return to top of questions What about resale value? Information here is limited simply because most people building a timber frame home have no intention of selling it. While location, design and other factors do enter in; it has been our experience that folks building a timber frame typically acquire instant equity and the few homeowners who have sold, have actually done quite well for themselves. Return to top of questions What is the next step? Pick up the phone, write, fax, use the Reply Form or schedule a visit to discuss your building project with us in detail. You may simply need more information on one of the houses in our plan library. Perhaps you have a question or questions we have failed to answer here. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring our possible participation in your project. Return to top of questions Return to top of page |