Timber Frame Home Expertise is Crucial to a Successful Build

When starting any major project, from home renovations to building a custom home, picking an expert in the field is critical to the success of your project. Most people only build a custom home once in a lifetime, and you want the experience to be as worry free as possible. The first step in ensuring that you have a smooth and stress-free experience is picking an expert that you can trust. Here are some things to keep in mind when researching potential custom home builders and companies:

1. How long has the company been in business? Staying power is important when it comes to building a home.
2. How will they support you throughout the process? Are you looking for someone to simply supply your timber frame package, or do you want a custom home builder that will work with you from the design stage all the way through to the completion of the build?
3. The most important thing when choosing which custom timber frame home builder is to ensure that they have great references from past clients, preferably ones that you can check!

Experience is important!

That is not to say that a post and beam company that’s new on the scene isn’t going to do a good job – every company has to start somewhere. When it comes to gauging a company’s reputation, the number of years that they’ve been in business can be a great starting point. Normerica, for example, was founded in 1979, so with over 45 years experience in designing and building custom homes, cottages, clubhouses, and resorts, we can safely say that we have a high level of expertise in this business.

The number of years that the company that you’re planning to use to build your custom timber frame home or cottage is important for another reason too. As a consumer, you need to know that the company you’re working with will be around down the road should anything go wrong with your custom home, or if you have questions about a potential renovation, or just need to be reminded of the colour that you chose for your siding. We believe in maintaining strong, long-lasting, relationships, and our past clients know that they can reach out to us anytime with questions or concerns about their Normerica custom home.

Are they a fit for your needs?

Are you looking for someone to work with you from the design stage straight through to the construction process? Do you have your own builder that you’d like to work with? Do you already have a design, but you need someone to supply your timber frame package? You should consider how much (or how little) you are looking for your timber frame company to do for you.

Some companies just supply packages, some companies will only build custom homes that they’ve designed, and some companies can work with you and do as much or as little as you need to make your custom timber frame experience as simple for you as possible. Normerica is one of those companies. We can work with you from the initial concept designs right through to the completion of the build using our in house construction management services (or we can recommend builders that we’ve worked with in the past). If you have your own builder that you’d like to use, we can design your dream home and work with your builder to make it a reality. Whatever you choose, the Normerica team is here for you from start to finish. If you’re not sure what’s involved in the custom home building process, check out our Residential Construction Guide!

Check their references!

You wouldn’t hire someone to work for your company, invite someone into your home to watch your children, or secure a vacation rental without checking references or reading online reviews and testimonials; and you certainly shouldn’t choose a custom home builder without doing your research on what their past clients are saying about them.

An online search is a great jumping-off point, and you’ll find out quickly what a company’s reputation is that way. If they’ve passed that test, then it’s worth your time to reach out to them and see if they have references or testimonials from their past clients that they can pass on. If you’re serious about moving forward with your custom timber frame home, the company you’re talking to should be able to put you in touch with one or two of their past clients who would be willing to discuss their experience working with the company you’re considering. After all, trust and reputation are critical to deciding if you’re choosing the right expert.

Choosing a Custom Timber Frame Home Builder: Your Questions Answered

Q: What should I look for when choosing a custom timber frame home builder?

Three things matter most: experience, fit, and references. Experience matters because timber frame construction has unique requirements that take years to master — a company with a long track record has encountered and solved problems that newer entrants haven't faced yet. Fit matters because different timber frame companies offer very different levels of service, from package supply only to full design-build. And references matter because a reputable company should be able to connect you with past clients willing to speak about their experience.

Q: Why does a timber frame company's length of time in business matter?

Longevity signals two things: proven expertise and accountability. A company that has been building timber frame homes for decades has refined its design, engineering, and manufacturing processes over thousands of projects. It has also demonstrated that it will be around if you need support down the road — whether that's a question about a renovation years later, a warranty concern, or simply needing to know the specification of something built into your home. Normerica was founded in 1979 and has been building timber frame homes and cottages across North America for over 45 years.

Q: Do I need to use Normerica's construction team, or can I use my own builder?

Normerica works flexibly with clients at any stage of the process. If you already have a builder you trust, Normerica can design your home and supply the timber frame materials package for your builder to assemble. If you don't have a builder, Normerica can recommend builders from its network with timber frame experience. If you want a more integrated experience, Normerica also offers in-house construction management services. The level of involvement is yours to determine based on what makes the process feel most manageable.

Q: How important are references when evaluating a timber frame company?

Very important — and a reputable company should be willing to provide them. Ask whether you can speak directly with past clients, not just read curated testimonials. A builder who has delivered a genuinely positive experience will have clients willing to talk about it. Pay particular attention to what past clients say about the relationship over the full arc of the project: design, delivery, construction, and any post-completion support.

Q: What questions should I ask a timber frame company before committing?

Key questions include: How long have you been in business? What does your standard materials package include? Can you work with my own builder, or do you require using yours? What does your design process look like and what is the timeline? Can you provide references from completed projects similar to mine? What support do you offer after the build is complete? The answers will tell you quickly whether the company has the experience, flexibility, and transparency to be the right partner for your project.

Want to find out if Normerica is the custom timber frame expert for you? Download our Residential Construction Guide or contact us!