Homestead Timber Frames

Heirloom Quality Timber Frame Heavy Wood Structures

Preliminary Design Phase

First Design Consultation

The first design consultation with our design team is an in-depth conversation in our office or on the telephone. At this first working session we discuss your ideas, desires, and needs. We explore your budget expectations, construction timing, style choices, and space requirements. Together we fill out our “Design Considerations” worksheet and view photos you’ve gathered that inspire you. We combine the information you have shared with us with our notes to produce the first sketches of your new home. We share these drawings with you — typically via e-mail — for your comments and revision requests.

Homes

Our Preliminary Home Design provides you with a simple diagram showing a floor plan with a layout of all interior rooms, along with their sizes and relationships. We then include porches, your basement or garage, and tally the total square footage (heated and unheated). Four exterior elevations with proposed finish materials and window styles are included. These drawings will evolve over a few revisions with the final plan being fairly complete and ready to share with your contractor for estimating final build costs. A quote for the timber frame portions of your home will accompany the final approved Preliminary Plan. We usually prefer to do a site visit if possible before proceeding.

Pavilions

This Preliminary Design involves sizing the timber frame pavilion to your site specifications as well as the use of the space and number of people you normally envision entertaining. Some of our pavilions involve outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, storage, bath/changing rooms, and seating arrangements. These options are taken into consideration for spans and posts placements. A floor plan is included for any or all of the above needs, as well as bent design and roof pitch. Overhang choices are discussed as well as foundation/pad sizes. You have many choices of styles including using “live” trees for portions of your frame.

Barns

Designing a timber frame barn, whether for an event barn or for horses, may involve as much planning as a home. Our experience will help discern the scope of your project as to proper sizing of timbers, spaces required, codes to meet as well as traffic flow. A timber frame barn can be simple or dramatic in design. Whatever your needs are for your barn, our team can help make it a reality.

Other Timber Frame Structures

Timber framing can be employed in elegant or rustic entrance gates, foot bridges, arbors, pergolas, exterior trusses/brackets, and many other worthy structures. Please consider us when you have a need for any of these additional products.

More Content

Client Testimonials

Family-Owned Company Of True Artisans

We were very pleased with all the people at Homestead Timber Frames. They care about what they do and about their customers. They are true artisans, and we were very happy with the finished product. They took our home plans and tweaked a couple of design items (closet in the mudroom and moved a powder room) and raised our beautiful dream home. After interviewing other timber framers, I was pleased that this was a family-owned company.

V. Ralston | Timber Frame Home | Dunlap, TN

These People Are Truly Artists

Homestead brought their skills of traditional timber framing with vision and rekindled artistry within the heart of my home. Going to the Homestead shop you start to understand the depth of such words as “edge-halved scarf” circa 1375, England. You begin to see the craftsmanship and feel the people behind the timber are truly artists.

D. Kirgan | Timber Frame Home | Rugby, TN

Kudos To Homestead Timber Frames

This installation took place on a very difficult-to-build site. I think a lot of people thought that it couldn’t be built. But Homestead Timber Frames and my strong-willed husband made it happen. This pavilion has entertained people from Iceland, South Africa, Switzerland, and many states in the USA. We could not be more satisfied with the workmanship and quality. Kudos to Homestead Timber Frames and many thanks for their impeccably high standards of building!!!

M. Franks | Timber Frame Pavilion | Crossville, TN

Like A Huge Piece Of Fine Art

My husband and I had long dreamed of having a timber frame structure. I started looking for companies online. I found Homestead and called for an appointment. From the very first meeting, I knew we had found the right people. They took my plan sketched out on graph paper along with some barn pictures from Pinterest, and made our dream come true! The craftsmanship and joinery are beautiful. It’s like a huge piece of fine art sitting in our field. Thank you to the whole team at Homestead. I highly recommend Homestead Timber Frames!

J. Scoggins | Timber Frame Barn | Dayton, TN

Folks Making Dreams Come True

My wife, Jeannetta, and I started to plan our new home in Tennessee in the spring of 2007. We started to hunt for the location in the southeast part of Tennessee as to be closer to family and to retire to a nicer climate and area than Southwest Ohio. The winters and the crime were getting to be too much for us. We were able to find a wonderful community located in Dunlap, TN and it was exactly as we wanted. There were terrific views and quiet wooded spaces to choose from. The people that were already living there were very inviting and friendly. We purchased the property in September 2007. We had started the design of our new home by learning everything we could about Timber Frame and hybrid Timber Frame homes. We started to work with a Timber Frame contractor and the affiliated company to put together our design. After many revisions, the contractor and the Timber Frame company had guided us to a design that was twice our set budget. It was a very expensive learning experience. We then went back to our drawing board and started to design a less expensive home with our new education. That is where Homestead Timber Frames came into our lives to help us realize our dream and to guide us toward the finished home we have today. Bruce Gardner, his wife Cyndy, and all the team were extremely helpful and the kind of experts we needed to get a great product. The designer Erik Toplis was open and totally able to take our ideas and create the design we envisioned with expertise and listening to be his greatest assets. We broke ground in April 2013 and our building contractor, Marcus Otto Builders, got us started by getting the foundation and the floor decking ready for our timber frame great room. The timbers arrived on the 13th of May and in 2 days the frame was erected, and it was beautiful and majestic. The crew was efficient, and the raising was flawless. Each team member knew his task and they worked as a complete unit to get the frame in place. Once the frame was up and complete, the builder was able to get the rest of the home put together. We had the structured insulated panel walls brought in and by the end of May, the house was completely enclosed. The SIPS allowed the house to cut at least a month off the time schedule as opposed to having a standard wall system created. The home is also 3 times more energy efficient. That will pay for itself in the years to come. We are so happy with our home, and we are so pleased with the Homestead Timber Frame company for their expertise and their friendship, and the help that they gave us for this project. They are more than a building products company; they are warm and caring folks that help to make dreams come true.

B. Walker | Timber Frame Home | Dunlap, TN

Fun Experience And Beautiful House

My experience with everybody at Homestead Timber Frames could not have been more fun, nor produced a more beautiful house! From the planning process to the raising, I felt as if I was their only client; they were always so friendly and attentive; to me as well as to detail. Other professionals in the building trade were impressed with their skill, quality of timber used, and professional attitude; commenting on how sound as well as beautiful my timber frame was. The design team not only listened to me, but they also took the necessary time to make certain that they completely understood what I envisioned for my house, even offering some wonderful decorating ideas that had nothing to do with the actual timber frame. Their forte is timber framing, but they also think outside of the box to enhance the feel of the home. I can’t thank the Team at Homestead enough for taking my plans and improving them to create a house that far exceeded my expectations. It is obvious that everybody at Homestead loves what they do and are justly proud of what they create. If all you are looking for is a company that will provide you with a faultless building plan, highly skilled craftsmen and superbly cut timbers raised efficiently in a timely, professional manner, Homestead Timber Frames is still the company to choose. I consider myself very lucky to have gotten much more out of the experience than “just” a wonderful timber frame home.

J. Carden-Leventhal | Timber Frame Home | Jamestown, TN

Great Bunch To Work With

After discussing our plans for hours, I brought them a rough model of the house I wanted to build. They took my model and started on our plans. They gave me a starting date and delivered the timbers exactly as stated. A very professional group shows up to erect and 5 days later I am dried in. All their families (wives and kids) showed up on the final day. I fixed BBQ ribs, Katie made potato salad, and we had a lovely little druid celebration. We were very happy with the results. Great bunch to work with.

W. Henry | Timber Frame Home

Quality Craftsmanship & Personal Attention

Homestead Timber Frames built a Farmers Market for the City of Dresden. Homestead Timber Frames sent us detailed updates and pictures every week of the construction phase in-house. They were very detailed in the expectations from us. Once on-site, the crew was very professional and experienced in their work. We could not be happier with the finished product. I recommend Homestead Timber Frames to anyone looking for quality craftsmanship, personal attention, and a great working relationship.

City of Dresden | Timber Frame Farmers Market Pavilion | Dresden, TN

Friendly Responsive Craftsmen

It has been a pleasure to work with friendly, responsive craftsmen. Our Cedar Pond Pavilion showcases natural cedar logs in the support posts.

M. Trostle | Timber Frame Educational Pavilion | Aldie, VA

Pleased With Them In Every Aspect

We used Homestead Timber Frames for our Timber Frame pavilion and our home. We have been pleased with them in every aspect of our project. The crew is professional, and they take pride in their work. Bruce, Cyndy, and Bob were helpful and available to assist us in our construction process. We would highly recommend Homestead Timber Frames to anyone planning to build.

S. Boring | Timber Frame Home, Barn & Pavilion | Dalton, GA

Crew Helpful Well Beyond The Norm

Homestead Timber Frames provided design, consultation, fabrication, and installation of a pergola on the front of our 4-car garage. The need was necessitated by the constant exposure to the sun deteriorating the garage doors. The design incorporated our ideas, the existing garage door locations as well as the existing lighting, all worked together to provide a harmonious project. I had worked 35 years in the construction industry and must say the craftsmanship, cooperation, and competence of the erection crew were outstanding. Bruce, Cyndy, and the entire crew were professional, courtesy, and helpful well beyond the norm.

R. Hartigan | Timber Frame Pergola & Awning | Kingston, TN

Down-Home Company With Big Results

Homestead Timber Frames is wonderful! Bruce and Cyndy have years of experience and an excellent eye for creating timber frame structures. After exploring the possibility of building a timber frame structure I was thrilled to find a local craftsman with the extensive knowledge that Bruce has gained through his years of experience. Cyndy brought a creative touch to my home that I am grateful for every day. Their crew was beyond gracious and professional! I just can’t say enough good about this company, their skill, honesty, and integrity! This is the down-home timber frame company with big results! You won’t be disappointed!

J.Allred | Hybrid Timber Frame Home | Jamestown, TN

Excellent Job From Start To Finish

The team did an excellent job from start to finish with excellent communication, coordination, and construction. We plan to use Homestead again for the great hall timber frame in phase 3 of our construction.

G. Manzelman | Timber Frame Pavilion | Luray, TN

Love Homestead Timber Frame

Love Homestead Timber Frame. We are in the process of building a white oak timber frame home. The timber frame structure is so unique.

D. Humphreys | Timber Frame Home | Decatur, TN

Designed & Built The Perfect Pavilion

I reached out to several timber frame companies to build a pavilion in memory of my late wife. Homestead was the by far most responsive and I went with them. It turned out to be a great decision. They designed and built the perfect pavilion and met every one of their commitments on schedule. The pavilion is now raised and nearing final completion and I couldn’t be happier.

K. Voight | Timber Frame Pavilion | Viola, WI

Excellent Timber Frame & Impeccable Customer Service

From design to construction, I couldn’t have asked for a more professional, yet personal experience. Our ideas, concerns, and needs were always placed first, and the result was a smooth flow from start to finish. I would recommend Homestead Timber Frames to anyone looking for an excellent timber frame backed with impeccable customer service.

J. Ballard | Timber Frame Home | Benton, KY

Our Experience Was Totally Positive

We live in a home that was built during the Depression as part of a New Deal Homestead Project. The timber frame carport and breezeway designed and built by Homestead Timber Frames needed to enhance the historical character of the home. All of our expectations were met and the entire build took place without a hitch. Prior to the addition of the timber frame, our home was never noticed but even six years after the build, people still stop to inquire about and admire the timber frame structure and we are pleased to tell them about Homestead Timber Frames. We can state that our experience was a totally positive one and would certainly recommend Homestead Timber Frames to those with an appreciation of and desire to preserve fine craftsmanship in their building project.

J. Stinson | Timber Frame Pavilion | Crossville, TN

Professional And Knowledgeable

The folks at Homestead could not have been more professional and knowledgeable. My job was small, but they completed it on time and on budget. The crew that erected my frame was skilled and professional. I was thoroughly impressed and pleased. I have already recommended them to some of my close friends.

R. Smith | Timber Frame Swing Set | Crossville, TN

Very Talented Crew Members

It was my good fortune to find Homestead Timber Frames so close by my building site. They were instrumental in bringing my dream home into a reality. I have not dealt with any finer people than Bruce, Cyndy, and their very talented crew members. They would receive my highest recommendation to anyone wishing to build a timber frame home or structure.

T. Williams | Hybrid Timber Frame Home | Sparta, TN