Initial Engagement
Depending on at what point we enter your project's timeline will determine how we get started. It might be that you already have planning permission with fixed parameters, or that you're working under permitted development restrictions that will dictate the design. Or it could be that you're at a pre planning ideas phase with more freedom to explore different options. Whatever the case, if you're considering an oak frame it's best to get us involved as early as possible as the frame will dictate many of the details of your build.
If you already have a rough design in mind we can give you a ballpark figure to inform you of the likely cost of our work. If you're happy with this then we usually agree a fee to develop the design, from which we can give you a fixed quote. If you are at an ideas stage we can initiate some design ideas for a fee and take it from there. Every project is different and this early part of the process varies depending on how much information you have and what stage you're at and it's best to just talk to us and we can work out the appropriate way to proceed, we're always happy to advise.
We don't undertake planning applications ourselves but we can produce frame designs for your architect to turn into the necessary plans for one.
Design Phase
Once we have agreed to work together we take your brief and use 3d computer modelling to bring the frame design to life, allowing you to view the frame from all angles and really get a feel for what the finished building will be like. During this phase we send over ideas and get your feedback to adapt the design until it's something you're really excited about and ticks all the boxes. We'll work closely with your architect and our engineer to make sure the frame works with other important details of the build. Once the design is complete we have a set of engineer's signed off drawings to take to the fabrication phase.
Fabrication Phase
At the end of the design phase we are ready to order the timber. We create 2d workshop drawings and when the timber arrives we start the laying out and cutting process. This is all unique to your project, no two timbers are the same and each individual piece has only one place it can go in your frame. Our highly trained and skilled carpenters work through the frame, laying up and cutting each section of the building using techniques that wouldn't be out of place on a medieval building site, albeit with the help of a few power tools! Once complete the frame is labelled and stacked ready for loading. During this phase we welcome you to pay a visit to the workshop to see your frame coming together and to get a feel for the skilled work that goes into it.
Raising!
The exciting part... Once we have finished cutting the frame and have checked that the site is ready we book in the raising date and organise any transport and lifting equipment we need. We then deliver the frame and get to work putting it up. This is the most impressive transformation your project will go through. In just a day or two a few piles of timber have turned into the beautiful skeleton of your building. There's a real sense of achievement for all involved when a frame has been raised, and great encouragement for the work ahead to make it the beautiful space it will become.
After the Raising
If our scope of work is frame only then we're done! We'll wish you well with the completion of your project and head home. If we're contracted for more of the project we'll get to work right away to get your frame closed in and water tight.