11 Steps to Your Dream Timber Frame Home

Imagine standing on a blank patch of land, picturing your dream home rising from the earth. That thrill—that electric excitement—is the heart of building a new home. At Homestead Timber Frames, we share your enthusiasm and can’t wait to turn your vision into reality.

To make your initial planning meeting a success, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are eleven practical steps to kick off your custom timber frame home with confidence.

Preparing For Your Initial Home Planning Meeting

1 – Cultivate a Photo Reference Book

Thanks to the internet, gathering inspiration is a breeze. Platforms like Houzz and Pinterest let you create digital idea boards brimming with designs you love. Sign up, pin everything that sparks your vision—think cozy fireplaces or vaulted ceilings—and share them with us before we meet. Your collection will give us a window into your style.

2 – Wants Vs. Needs

Dreaming big is part of the fun, but a budget can quickly spiral if your “want” list grows unchecked. Start by making two lists: needs (like ample storage) and wants (like a gourmet kitchen). Trim the priciest wants first—after all, a great home doesn’t have to mean a bigger one.

3 – Diagram Your Rooms

Knowing where you’d like each room can jumpstart the design process. Sketch a simple bubble diagram—circles for rooms, lines showing how they connect—and bring it to our first meeting. Not sure what that looks like? Think of it as a map of your daily life.

4 – Make a List of Questions

Questions are the key to clarity, and we’re here to answer them all. What’s on your mind—build timelines, material choices, or costs? Jot down your thoughts in advance so we can address every detail and ease any worries during our meeting.

5 – Visit Our Shop

Step into the action and see your home take shape. Visit our shop to stand amid the sawdust, hear the hum of tools, and chat with our joiners as they craft a timber frame. You’ll get a tour when we meet, but feel free to drop by earlier—our team loves sharing their work.

6 – Attend a Raising

Watching a timber frame go up is awe-inspiring. Attend one of our public raisings to see our joiners in action, assembling a frame with speed and precision. It’s a sneak peek at your own home’s big moment—check our Facebook page for upcoming events!

7 – Read Up on the Basics of Timber Framing

A little knowledge goes a long way. Familiarize yourself with timber framing terms before we meet—it’ll make our talks smoother. Want our must-read book list? Drop us a line, and we’ll send it your way.

8 – Follow Our Social Media

If you found us through our website, explore our social media next. From stunning lakeside frames on Instagram to design tips on Houzz, our pages—Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and soon YouTube—are packed with inspiration. Follow us for the latest updates!

9 – No Need to Rush

Excitement can make you want to dive in, but hold off until you’ve nailed two essentials: a piece of land and a clear budget. Without knowing where you’ll build and what it’ll cost, it’s tough to move forward. Take your time—your dream deserves a solid foundation.

10 – Keep a Devoted Notebook

Ideas will flow fast, so keep a notebook just for this journey. Jot down thoughts, sketches, and figures as they come. It’ll keep you organized now and prove invaluable when we’re deep into the details later.

11 – Imagine Your Life in the Home

It’s easy to fixate on small details like fixtures or finishes, but step back and picture the bigger scene: your daily life in this home. Will you sip coffee by a river or host friends in a bustling city space? That vision will guide every choice we make together.

Let’s Bring Your Dream to Life

With your ideas in hand and our expertise by your side, let’s turn that excitement into reality. Picture this: your timber frame home standing tall, perfectly suited to the life you love. We can’t wait to meet you and start building your dream together—let's talk soon!