Should I Be My Own GC?

Should I Consider Being my Own General Contractor?

From time to time, we work with clients who consider taking on the task of being their own general contractor. Being your own general contractor can be a big responsibility to undertake. Before you take on such a project, you must analyze whether you have the skills, time and knowledge to manage your new timber frame home or panelized home from start to finish. Below are some tips in case you are considering being your own GC for your timber frame project:

Time Management

It is important to analyze your available time to dedicate to your timber frame or panelized home project. General contracting requires many hours during the day for gathering bids and materials. You may also need to take time early on in the day or early evening to connect with your subcontractors as they are usually not readily available during the day. Plan on spending at least 9-12 months or more to manage the construction of your new custom home.

Organization and Schedules

When you are your own GC, you must be organized. If you do not schedule your subcontractors properly, this could cause delays for the other subcontractors you hire and delay your timber frame project in general. So if you plan on being your own GC, remember to moderate your subcontractor’s work progress in order to ensure that you’re on schedule for your next contractor.

Knowledge about residential construction process

It is important that you know about all the elements that it takes to build a new home. Some of the elements include knowing your state’s building regulations, permit process and also hiring the subcontractors for your project. Being a general contractor, you will be in charge of finding subcontractors that will meet your budget expectations, building time and expectations in quality of work.

Also by being your own general contractor, you may not have all the subcontractor contacts you may need to complete your project. Without hiring a residential GC that is familiar with other building professionals in the area, this could cause more time for your project, frustration and could cost you money as well. Many building professionals work together and usually your local GC can help you get competitive bids and choose contractors that meet all your needs.

Overall, it is important to analyze all of the above as the residential building process can be time consumptive and costly. Residential construction takes a lot of time and organization. If you are not familiar with the general construction process, being your own GC may not be right for you. Many times hiring a general contractor works out for the best as they will help manage your timber frame project to ensure that the building process meets all your needs and concerns; especially in terms of time and may actually be able to save you money on your new home.

Are you  interested in learning more about Davis Frame timber frames? Contact us today by calling 1-800-636-0993!

Timber Frame Addition in New Jersey

Davis Frame Independent Representatives, Timber Frames Unlimited hosted a frame raising a couple weeks ago in New Jersey. Jeff Davis, co-owner of Davis Frame, traveled down to to help the crew raise the timber frame. The 20'x36' addition will be used as a large great room and social gathering space to entertain family and friends. The absence of second floor framing allows the space to feature a cathedral ceiling and an unobstructed view of the dynamic timber frame joinery and craftsmanship.

With many styles of timber framing techniques available, our designers coupled with the owners preferences, created a "bent system" utilizing three King Post Trusses on the interior and a Queen Post Truss at either end to allow for window placement. After the timber frame bents were raised, MMR dry wall was installed on the exterior of the timbers followed by a wall and roof enclosure of energy efficient Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) by Murus Panels.

Visit our website to learn more about the different type of timber frame bent systems available!

Check of the frame raising photos below:

Timber frame assembly complete

First king post truss being raised into place

Second king post truss raised into place

Last bent raised into place, timber frame raising is almost complete

SIPs installation

Check out our construction photo slideshow for this new timber frame addition in New Jersey. If you are interested in building a timber frame home or addition, give us a call today by calling 1-800-636-0993!

Timber Framing is a Great Alternative to a Log Home

Timber frame home on Lake Ontario, NY

We have had a lot of interest lately from people who just discovered timber frame homes after researching log homes. Timber frames are often confused with log homes and many think they are the same type of home. The only similarity is that they both offer exposed wood. Log homes are built of logs stacked horizontally, allowing the logs to be seen from the exterior as well as the interior. You can visit a log home and know immediately that it is one, but a timber frame is not recognizable until you enter the home and see the beautiful exposed beams. A timber frame home looks like any other home from the outside. Visit our website to see our timber frame photo gallery.

Often people choose timber framing over a log home because timber frames feature "less wood." You can add as little or as much wood to a timber frame home, but a log home is completely made up of wood on the outside and in. Timber framing can also be incorporated into any style home whether you want to build a traditional, contemporary or rustic home.

Below are the main reasons why people choose a timber frame home over a log home:

• Design flexibility
• Low maintenance
• Less wood
• Energy efficient
• Adaptable to any architectural style
• Timber frames look like any other home from the exterior

If you are interested in learning more about Davis Timber Frame Homes, give us a call today at 1-800-636-0993!

Timber Frame Design

The Forest View, designed by Davis Frame Co.

Do I Need an Architect to Design My Timber Frame Home?

This is a question we often get asked. We offer complete in-house timber frame design services to modify one of our pre-designed Classic Barn Homes or design a custom home that suits your lifestyle, land and budget. Our design staff has a wide range of knowledge including hands-on carpentry experience, timber framing experience and a designer with an engineering background.

Our design staff includes President Jeff Davis, who has worked in the timber frame industry for over three decades and has designed and/or overseen the design of hundreds of timber frame homes, commercial buildings and barns.

Some towns, counties and cities require plans to be stamped by a licensed engineer or an architect. (Through our association with several engineering firms, we can meet that requirement). If you are already working with an architect, we can work seamlessly with them.

Our design services will provide you with a full set of plans. However, our design services to not include some services architects offer, mechanical plans for wiring, plumbing and HVAC. Those plans can be done with your GC and subcontractors using the set of plans we provide with our design services, while fine-tuning of the electrical and lighting placement can be achieved during a walk through after the interior walls are framed.

If you have any questions about our design services and timber frame packages, call us today at 1-800-636-0993!

Article from our past newsletter

Build a Timber Frame Pool House

Over the years, we have worked on many different custom timber frame projects, from pergolas to pavilions and even a couple timber frame pool houses.

More people are adding specialty rooms and outbuildings to their existing properties. One way to add to your current home is a timber frame pool house. In New England, we only get to swim for a short season.Why not build a indoor timber frame pool house to enjoy all year round?

For inspiration, check out a couple of pool houses we have worked on over the years.

Timber frame pool house in Connecticut

Timber frame pool house on Cape Cod

If you have a special project in mind, give us a call today at 1-800-636-0993!

Insulating a Timber Frame Home

What Type of Insulation Does Davis Frame Offer?


At Davis Frame, we primarily use Murus Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) in our exterior shell packages. We offer two different types of SIPs, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Polyurethane.


Both panel types are made with structurally rated skins, oriented strand board (OSB) with a foam core sandwiched between the two skins. The main difference between the two is price and r-values. Polyurethane SIPs panels offer higher r-values and do cost more than EPS panels. Polyurethane SIPs offer a few advantages: strength, thermal performance and Class 1 fire resistance. EPS panels are competitively priced and offer generous r-value options. Both types of Murus panels work well with timber frame homes and will provide you with a long lasting and energy efficient home!


We also offer a panelized wall and roof panel system, Energy Smart Panels (eSIPS)! eSIPS is a division of Davis Frame and was developed as an alternative to stick-frame construction and Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). The system can be used with timber frame or used as a stand-alone panelized home. eSIPS is made with 2x6 dimensional lumber for the wall and 2x10 or 2x12 lumber for the roof. BioBased spray foam insulation is then applied and one portion of the panel is left exposed.


For more information about our timber frame packages, call us today by calling 1-800-636-0993!