Timber Frame Kits: Everything You Need to Know
A timber frame kit is the most accessible way to build a timber frame home, barn, or workshop. You get all the timber, precision-cut and labeled, with engineer-stamped plans — shipped to your site. Here's how kits work, what they cost, and how to choose the right one.
What Is a Timber Frame Kit?
A timber frame kit is a complete structural package: every post, beam, brace, rafter, and truss member — precision-cut with CNC machinery, labeled, and shipped to your building site. The kit includes:
- All structural timbers: Posts, beams, tie beams, rafters, braces, and truss members — cut to exact length with all joinery machined
- Engineer-stamped plans: Maine-licensed PE stamp, accepted nationwide for building permits
- Assembly drawings: Detailed diagrams showing where every numbered piece goes
- Oak pegs: Hardwood pegs for securing all joinery connections
- Pegged joinery: Traditional mortise-and-tenon connections, pre-cut
What's not included: Foundation, enclosure/SIP panels, roofing, siding, windows, doors, mechanicals, interior finishes, crane rental, or on-site labor. These are handled by your local contractor — or by you, if you're doing a DIY build.
Why Buy a Kit vs. Custom Design?
| Factor | Standard Kit | Custom Design |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29,000–$45,000 | $55,000–$120,000+ |
| Lead time | varies by frame — contact us for current estimates | contact us for current estimates |
| Engineering | Pre-engineered, stamped | Custom engineering |
| Modifications | Minor changes available | Fully bespoke |
| Best for | Budget-conscious, faster timeline | Unique site, specific vision |
Standard kits are optimized for value. The engineering is done, the CNC programs are proven, and the design is refined through multiple builds. You get a well-designed frame at the best possible price. Custom frames give you complete control — but at a higher cost and longer timeline.
Our Standard Kit Lineup
20×32 Colonial series (from $29,000)
Our entry-level frames — 640 sq ft footprint with a usable loft. Available in three truss configurations:
- Tongue & Fork Colonial ($29,000): Classic colonial proportions with tongue-and-fork rafters. Clean, traditional look.
- Mid Post ($32,000): Additional mid-span posts for wider openings and extended roof overhangs.
- Center Post Colonial (from $30,000): Central posts for a symmetrical, balanced aesthetic.
Best for: starter homes, cabins, workshops, guest houses, ADUs.
24×30 King's Post ($35,000)
720 sq ft footprint with traditional king-post trusses. The central king post supports the ridge beam, creating a dramatic overhead focus. Expandable loft space above the tie beams.
Best for: family homes, great rooms, barn-dominiums.
24×27 Arch Truss ($45,000)
Our flagship two-story frame — 1,296 sq ft of living space across two levels. The arched truss geometry creates a stunning vaulted ceiling on the main floor with a full second story above. Clear-span living with no interior posts.
Best for: full-time residences, luxury cabins, mountain homes.
How to Choose the Right Kit
1. Start with Your Site
Slope, orientation, views, and access all affect which frame works best. A 20×32 colonial fits a tighter site; a 24×27 arch truss wants a site where you can appreciate the height.
2. Think About How You'll Use the Space
Full-time home? Weekend cabin? Workshop? Home office with living quarters? The arch truss gives you two full floors; the colonials give you one floor plus a loft.
3. Consider Your Timeline
All kits have a current lead time from deposit to delivery. Custom modifications add 2-4 weeks. If you need a frame by a specific date, plan backward from there.
4. Budget for the Whole Project
The kit is 8-12% of your total build cost. Make sure you're budgeting for: foundation, enclosure, roof, windows/doors, mechanicals, interior finishes, and site work. Our cost guide (see related article) breaks this down in detail.
Kit Modifications We Offer
Every standard kit can be modified. Common changes:
- Extend or reduce dimensions (add a bay, stretch the length)
- Add dormers for upstairs light and headroom
- Change truss style (switch from king post to queen post)
- Adjust roof pitch for snow load or aesthetic preference
- Add porch or entry timber framing
- Mixed species (Douglas Fir or Pine frame with Douglas Fir trusses)
Modifications are priced during engineering — we'll tell you the cost impact before you commit.
The Kit Process: Step by Step
- Choose your kit — Browse our shop and pick the frame that fits your vision and budget
- Start your order — contact us to confirm deposit and schedule for your frame
- Engineering — 4-6 weeks for shop drawings and any modifications you've requested
- Fabrication — 6-8 weeks of CNC cutting in our Paris, Maine shop
- Shipping — Your labeled timbers ship on a flatbed to your site
- Raising day — Crane + crew + 2-5 days = your frame is up
- Enclose — SIPs or stick framing to weather-tight, then finish at your pace
Shipping: How It Works
We ship to all 48 contiguous states. Your timbers are loaded onto a flatbed truck — each piece is numbered and the load is secured for transit. Shipping is quoted based on distance from Maine — contact us for an estimate. We coordinate delivery timing so you (or your contractor) are ready with a forklift or crane to unload.
DIY vs. Professional Raising
Every kit comes with detailed assembly drawings — each piece is numbered and the joinery is pre-cut. Think of it as a large-scale puzzle: the drawings show where every timber goes, and a crane is strongly recommended for raising day.
We offer raising consultation for DIY builders — remote guidance via phone and video during your raising day. For sites within 100 miles of Paris, Maine, our crew can handle the full raising. For sites further away, we can recommend experienced timber frame riggers.
Common Questions
Can I see a kit before I buy?
We can arrange shop visits in Paris, Maine — see our CNC in action and walk through frames in progress. We also have detailed photo galleries for every kit on our product pages.
What if my building department has questions?
Our engineer-stamped plans have been approved by building departments in all 50 states. If your local department has questions, we can provide additional documentation or speak with them directly.
Can I combine kits?
Yes — a common approach is to use one frame for the main structure and a smaller frame for a connected wing, porch, or outbuilding. We can engineer the connection between two frames.
Ready to choose your kit? Browse all frames or contact us for a personalized recommendation based on your site and budget.