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Hi, can anyone suggest an accurate way of getting a build cost for a closed panel timber frame kit house? I'm comparing some companies that offer supply and erect with supply only, but in order to have a clear comparison, I need to get an accurate idea of how much the build costs will be. I also don't want to commit to a design if it ends up costing loads to build! I've asked several companies to quote, and a couple have replied saying they'd need to see planning and building warrant drawings to give an estimate. But by that point we'll have committed to what we're building ? Any help appreciated!

Hi, Looking at options for timber frame supply, we are based in Suffolk and looking for something that fits the following criteria... This is a build on a budget, I will be undertaking as much work as possible myself and will be project managing. The idea of timber frame is to get the basic water tight shell up as quickly and cheaply as possible with the key criteria being cost and achieving a high u-value, I would be looking for a supplier that can erect the build and I then hope to make the savings on undertaking the majority of the rest of the work. I'm happy to do the leg work with potential suppliers but would appreciate any guidance or experience in pointing me in the direction of suppliers worth considering Thanks in advance ?

Hi all, I am in the process of getting quotes for my self build timber kit. I have managed to get a lot of good advice on this forum so far! One thing I am not sure of is the advantages of an i-stud as opposed to regular timber? I can see the advantages of webbed i-joists as it will make the running or services/mvhr so much easier (amongst other benefits) but whats better with i-studs?

Hi all, joined this forum for hopefully getting some good advice regarding a possible self build we have coming up. Really like the idea of a log cabin, interlocking timber kit house. Be keen to hear from anyone who has built similar with regards to planning and building regs thanks Michael and heather

Hi All, I am currently doing my timber frame drawings and sorting out window opening sizes etc. and it got me thinking about the installation - the plan is to get the timber frame up and install the windows almost immediately to secure and weather-proof the extension long before the block-work goes up around it. I know it is common practise to install windows into the frame before the masonry goes up so I wondered if anyone has an installation detail or some good photos showing how they sit exactly and the sort of depth into the cavity they sit. I don't want to install them then find I have them in the wrong position. I was on a site recently and I saw how they had installed them, albeit from a bit of a distance and it appeared to me they had done this: Typical timber frame sheathed in OSB and wrapped in a building wrap, then circa. 50x50 rough treated had been attached to the outside of the opening round the timber frame, so basically like a picture frame over the top of the building wrap, this I assume was to acct as the cavity closer, the cavity was 50mm, so my assumption was that the window was then going to be installed flush to the outside edge of the 50x50. Then, when the masonry went up, the back brick face would be hard against the 50x50 (as you would expect a cavity closer) and the masonry would be brought right up to the edge of the window frame. The render would then go on thus "sealing" the window in and a bit of mastic at the end (as appears common on new builds around all doors/windows) to seal the UPVC to the render. Does this sound correct? Would you attach band to the window and then fix it from the inside of the timber frame? In theory it sounds fine to me but I just want to check. The next question is the sill, the supplier can supply me with a stub sill or longer versions. Do I get the sill, then build the masonry up to the underside of the sill, bit of mastic and job done? Or should I be thinking about a proper concrete sill to the top of the masonry? I will be able to ask questions of suppliers and people involved when I get there but I need to get some of these things clear in my head before I start the frame drawings as it could make a difference to exactly where I place a window to ensure I get get a whole block or brick up to the bottom of an opening etc.