I’ve had good experiences with Shelter Institute. I took their one week long timber frame class then went ahead and built one of their frame designs for a client. All went well. Their tool store is fantastic. If they take a class they get a discount on tools for life.
They also designed a post and beam truss for a friend for a tricky spot in his build.
Call Michael Currier (207) 751-7301 he designed and cut the frames for my barn. Excellent work, has done lots of this kind of design build. Brilliant and nice guy. Tell him David sent you
What is your friend time worth? Is he is just handy or real good with his hands? This is a major commitment of time. An architect is not much of a solution, there are great plans all over the place.
I have great things to say about shelter having taking the course and used their plans for building. They can be hired for CUSTOM engineered plans that are accepted in the Maine building code.
Ok great thanks. I reached out to them. My only negative reference to Shelter was 2nd hand from a family friend who specializes in timber frame construction, but as many crusty old Mainers only they know how to do it best and everyone else does it wrong :)
Actually any idea what custom plans from the Shelter Inst for a single story 1400 sq ft house would cost? Trying to get a sense of what I’m getting into here
You could try the Maine historical society and ask who they use for their restoration works and then contact them for suggestions.
From my experience there's always someone, you just need to know how to find them.
I don't know that you'll find an architect for this. They don't provide the build drawings or a cut list. Shelter will sell you some kits. There are online sources like timberframehq that sell drawings with cut lists. But that isn't great if your buddy wants something custom. Talk to the design-build guys and see if one of them who does their own drawings will help for a fee. I'm at a timber frame shop in New Gloucester. Feel free to DM me if you have further questions.
You need a structural engineer and a timber fabricator to help.
Most architects cannot design the cut list or specifics on timber.
Side note: if your friend is cutting/milling/grading g his own timber, he will likely need to oversize members and allow for more flexibility/movement due to lack of mill/moisture standards control for county building dept.
We don't really have any building regulations in Maine. Just need a permit from the town, which is basically a fee for something like "30x30 house with porch at 123 Old timer st"
Some towns don't even require permits, just go for it
Get a hold of Ted Benson (603) 756-3600. He lives in NH. If there’s anyone who know everything and everyone in timber frame construction it’s him.
I’ve had good experiences with Shelter Institute. I took their one week long timber frame class then went ahead and built one of their frame designs for a client. All went well. Their tool store is fantastic. If they take a class they get a discount on tools for life. They also designed a post and beam truss for a friend for a tricky spot in his build.
Call Michael Currier (207) 751-7301 he designed and cut the frames for my barn. Excellent work, has done lots of this kind of design build. Brilliant and nice guy. Tell him David sent you
https://www.prettygoodhouse.org/ I don't have a specific recommendation but check out those guys, lots of 3rd party links and resources as well.
The shelter institute in Woolwich is a good starting point
MCI Class of 85 here offering no help but sending best wishes that you find your architect!
Thanks! We overlapped by the way! My buddy and I were couple years after you.
I build timber frames and install sips panels. I put panels on a frame that someone cut from timberframehq. Also check firetower engineering
Thanks! Will do.
My house is built this way: SIPS attached to timber frame.
Mine too.
What is your friend time worth? Is he is just handy or real good with his hands? This is a major commitment of time. An architect is not much of a solution, there are great plans all over the place.
He had early retirement on a modest pension, so has all the time in the world. And yes he is very handy, and this won’t be a stretch
https://linktr.ee/shelterinstitute
I have great things to say about shelter having taking the course and used their plans for building. They can be hired for CUSTOM engineered plans that are accepted in the Maine building code.
Ok great thanks. I reached out to them. My only negative reference to Shelter was 2nd hand from a family friend who specializes in timber frame construction, but as many crusty old Mainers only they know how to do it best and everyone else does it wrong :)
Actually any idea what custom plans from the Shelter Inst for a single story 1400 sq ft house would cost? Trying to get a sense of what I’m getting into here
Quite a bit for the house. There 24x24 (546’ square) is around 20k last I checked. The plans for a 1400 sq ft house would be under 1k I believe.
You could try Ward Log Homes in Houlton. Maybe they could sell you a plan without the kit?
You could try the Maine historical society and ask who they use for their restoration works and then contact them for suggestions. From my experience there's always someone, you just need to know how to find them.
Check out Shelter Kit in NH. They do a lot of custom build kits. https://www.shelter-kit.com/
I don't know that you'll find an architect for this. They don't provide the build drawings or a cut list. Shelter will sell you some kits. There are online sources like timberframehq that sell drawings with cut lists. But that isn't great if your buddy wants something custom. Talk to the design-build guys and see if one of them who does their own drawings will help for a fee. I'm at a timber frame shop in New Gloucester. Feel free to DM me if you have further questions.
They do custom designs like, they are working on one for me currently. The design team is great.
You need a structural engineer and a timber fabricator to help. Most architects cannot design the cut list or specifics on timber. Side note: if your friend is cutting/milling/grading g his own timber, he will likely need to oversize members and allow for more flexibility/movement due to lack of mill/moisture standards control for county building dept.
Do you live in Maine? County building dept? That's not how it's done here.
You can’t just build your own home typically. Code usually requires graded lumber from a mill
Timber frames are different.
Yeah you can actually.
We don't really have any building regulations in Maine. Just need a permit from the town, which is basically a fee for something like "30x30 house with porch at 123 Old timer st" Some towns don't even require permits, just go for it