7 Tips for Planning Timber Homes | Advice for the Timber Home Planning Process7 Tips for Planning a Timber HomeMost dream homes are prefaced with a nightmare of preparation work (like most summer BBQ's, actually). Face the planning process without fear with these 7 tips.by: editorial staff Don't know where to get started on planning the timber home of your dreams? Then use these 7 tips to map out your journey to obtaining that dream home:  1. Land Choice:Every great home starts with an awesome piece of property. And whether you’re hoping for a view of the Blue Ridge or the vast Oklahoma prairie, you need to know the lay of the land, so to speak. A site map will explain the traits, benefits and challenges of your proposed building site. If the land is undeveloped, you also may need a topographical survey. Your township or county zoning office can supply you with information about easements, utilities and environmental considerations. The natural features of the landscape, along with the location of utilities, should be indicated on the site map. One major component that will make or break your future home site is whether or not the property can pass a “perc test.” A perc test indicates the soil’s capability to absorb liquid over a specific period of time and determines the size and type of septic system you’ll need. If it doesn’t pass, you may not be able to build on it. Likewise, you’ll need a source of potable (drinkable) water. In rural areas, this typically means drilling for a well. If you’re building closer to developed areas and are lucky enough to tap into public utilities, you can bypass these steps. Beyond the restrictions, it’s important to get acquainted with your land. By observing the way light and shadow change during the day, as well as the views you’ll have during the varying seasons, you can locate the best place on the site to situate your home. 2. Financing: If you plan to borrow money to finance your home, talk with a lender about construction loans. By reviewing your financial data, a lender can pre-qualify you for a loan, as well as explain how funds are dispersed during the course of construction and how that loan is converted to a mortgage once the home is complete. It’s a good idea to meet with at least one builder who’s familiar with the costs of building quality homes in the area where your house will be located, because building costs vary from region to region. When you have a lender’s approval and enough information to accurately describe your project, you’re ready to meet with a designer. Before you even think about who’ll build your dream timber home on that perfect plot, you’ll need to know how much you can afford—and, better yet, which mortgage companies are best. Visit timberhomeliving.com to see our tips for choosing the right lender. Also, use our checklist to see how much money you’ll be able to borrow. 3. Matters of Style: Timber homes may have timeless appeal, but today’s timber homes rarely come from the same mold as their historic predecessors. Designs run the gamut from traditional and classic to rustic or contemporary—and sometimes a mix of styles. Once you settle on a style, you’ll also want to decide what kind of wood to use. Wood species vary in their color and characteristics (knots versus clear-grain) and play a big part in the overall look of your home. Ask each timber provider you’re considering for more information about the types of wood the company works with. Beyond selecting a species, you also can pick specify the age of the wood that’s used to frame your home. From fresh “green” timber to seasoned reclaimed wood, the type you choose will impact the look and upkeep of your home. 4. Types of Wood: Green Wood. Green timbers come fresh from the forest. They have a high moisture content (30 percent or more), making them easy for timber framers to craft, since tools cut through them like butter. Green timbers also have the advantage of being the most economical option, since they’re less expensive than other varieties that require additional handling and preparation. Their downfall is that what you see is not necessarily what you get. These timbers have a lot of drying to do—and all of it will be done after they’re crafted into your home. As it dries, green wood will check (crack) or twist as it reaches a new equilibrium with its environment. Fortunately, this checking process shouldn’t affect the structural integrity of your home if it’s properly built. Standing Dead Timber. Standing dead timbers are trees that were killed by insect infestation, fire or other means, causing them to dry out while still standing in the forest. Before you balk at the thought of building with bug-ridden trees, rest assured that once the tree is dead, the critters, without a food source, have moved on. And there are big benefits to standing dead timber. With its low moisture content, this type of wood is more stable and less prone to checking or twisting than green timber. Standing dead timber does cost more than green timber, though, because it’s less plentiful. Air- or Kiln-Dried To reduce the amount of movement of the frame as it dries, some timber home companies use air- or kiln-dried beams. Large kilns bake the timbers over several weeks, reducing the moisture content to around 18 to 20 percent. Air-dried timbers are left in log yards for two to three years to reach a similar moisture content. In either case, you’ll pay more for a dried timber than you would for green wood because of this additional investment in time and resources. Reclaimed Wood. If you’re looking for wood with character and a rich history, consider reclaimed timbers harvested from carefully dismantled, centuries-old factories, barns, bridges and piers. Some companies have even discovered huge old-growth trees no longer found in forests by dredging rivers and lakes near the sites of sawmills of yesteryear. Because these large posts and beams have been around so long, the moisture-content percentage is often in the single digits or low teens, making them extremely hard and stable. But because it’s more difficult to obtain and process these reclaimed timbers, most companies charge a premium for this product. Mix and Match. Timber home companies may specialize in a particular species of wood, whereas others may offer an assortment of products to suit individual tastes, including a mix of old and new timbers. Be aware that price can vary dramatically. Because wood is a commodity, a host of variables influence its cost. If you have your heart set on a particular type of timber but find it to be outside your budget, discuss strategies (e.g., cutting square footage or making budget cuts in materials) with your producer. It’s likely the company may have a solution.  5. Hybrid Homes: So far we’ve touched on the elements of timber home construction in its purest form. But increasingly, today’s timber-home buyers are combining conventional construction with timber elements. These “hybrid” designs typically reserve timbers for public areas (great room, foyer, kitchen, dining area) and use conventional (stick) framing in less frequently viewed areas (bedrooms, bathrooms, mudrooms, garage). Why? Because the cost of the timbers ultimately competes with other upgrades, such as flooring, cabinetry and countertops, explains Bonnie Pickartz with Goshen Timber Frames in Franklin, North Carolina. “It’s a matter of trade-offs. With home costs rising, people are looking toward hybrids as a good mix of the reality of a budget and the beauty of a timber home.” Another growing design trend is to mix and match different wood species and profiles of timbers, says John Garber with Dreaming Creek Timber Frame in Powhatan, Virginia. “We’re seeing a blend of round logs and square posts to create almost a Polynesian feel. They’re also using different wood species, such as an oak frame with cherry and walnut braces, for example. We have 38 different species represented in our model home, and many buyers like the idea of using different colors and textures of wood.” This willingness to embrace eclectic designs is causing many log-home producers to expand their product offerings to include timber construction. PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes in Meridian, Idaho, for example, has a team of architects on staff to help buyers sort out the right rustic style for their needs. 6. The Producers: Before you can live in the timber home of your dreams, you need someone to build it. This process can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to understand what you’re looking for in a timber producer before you start shopping for one. Then once you’ve targeted a number of timber-home companies that appeal to you, you can whittle down the list to only those companies that most closely match your goals. For instance, do you need a company that offers turn-key construction (that is, the home is delivered to you completely finished, and all you have to do is turn the key to enter)? Or do you have a local builder in mind, and all you need from the timber company is the wood? Do you want your frame to be handcrafted (using traditional hand tools) or milled (using state-of-the-art, computer-controlled machines)? Or are you looking for purely decorative post-and-beam accents? Also consider the type of wood a producer works with. The majority of timber companies offer freshly harvested wood, but some craft their homes from recycled or salvaged wood. If you already have your heart set on a particular species or age of wood, these criteria can help you narrow your decision even further. In addition to offering different techniques and wood types, timber-home companies also differ in the size of their operations. A larger company has the resources to offer a wide range of service and depth of talent, often employing specialists in architecture, engineering and construction. In a smaller company, you’re more likely to work directly with the owner, who may even be cutting your timbers with his own hands. The company you’ll choose depends on the type of relationship you want to have with your representative. Once you narrow the field, request brochures, plansbooks, catalogs or videos from the companies that interest you. This material should answer many important questions, explain each company’s business philosophy and reflect its commitment to quality. You’ll find even more information on their web sites. Many will post photos of both completed homes and jobs in progress to give you a comprehensive look at their building techniques. 7. Research Road Trip: Before you pay for a timber-home package, pay a visit to the companies you’re considering. Background research is essential, but to get a true account of the contenders, you should check out their work in person. Model homes and open houses will yield immeasurable insight into each company’s design and construction process, attention to detail and customer service. As you continue your research, note each timber producer’s ability to meet deadlines. A conscientious company will provide floorplans or price quotes when promised. A company that can’t deliver quotes on time may suggest a lack of customer service, which could prove devastating when your home is being crafted or raised. Finally, check with your state’s attorney general’s office and the local Better Business Bureau to see if the producer has been the source of consumer complaints or involved with litigation or judgments. Often this can be done online. Choosing a timber-home producer can be tough. But if you shop around and factor in style, wood species and service options, you can be confident that your new home will provide years of satisfaction and pride. More: Planning Timber Homes
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