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 As we become more aware of the advantages of living in a smaller, more sustainable space that has a smaller footprint and uses fewer resources to build and less fuel to heat and cool, we look for small designs that are livable.  They must meet our needs or we’ll be looking for a larger home…quickly.  Goshen has launched a new line of small, sustainable homes that live well.  Each is smaller than 2,000 square feet, yet lives much larger.  Check out these plans at Goshen’s CottageBuilt Homes to see what we’ve done.  You’ll find styles reminiscent of the Sears Kit Homes from the early 1900’s and of the many bungalows and cottages from that period.

The Goshen Timber Frames ‘ Team worked hard this Memorial Day.  They raised this beautiful pavilion at the Bridge Park in Sylva, North Carolina.

With community support, the Downtown Sylva Association made this happen!

Assembled Trusses Go Up!

Cupola Tops It Off!

Green Building, in it’s new and sometimes abused persona, is not really a new concept.  It has always been important to use resources wisely, to build with the materials at hand, and to conserve energy.  New technology has helped us to achieve some of these goals, but if we look back, we see that many before us have built green, without all the hype.  Adobe homes protected Native Americans in the Southwest from sweltering heat, wattle and daub homes used materials at hand to build shelters, skyscrapers built in the late 1800’s made use of urban space.  So while architects, designers, and builders today would like to take credit for this movement, they are truly just making the public more aware of the importance of building green

 A  Goshen Timber Frames home was chosen for the cover of Residential Design Build’s latest issue.  The feature article “Vacation Homes: Family Affairs” by Chuck Ross explains the differences in designing vacation homes as recreational homes and as vacation/retirement homes.  Ross spoke to builders nationwide, including the folks at Goshen.  The magazine is a trade magazine, but offers insights to anyone considering building a vacation home.  Additional photos of Goshen homes are included in the article.

Goshen Timber Frames is pleased to announce a Memorial Day raising for the Bridge Park Project pavilion in Sylva, North Carolina.    This frame will serve as the centerpiece of the new Bridge Park which will be home to the farmer’s market, festivals, and all sorts of events in downtown Sylva.

The pavilion came together nicely as the Goshen team  trial fit it in their shop.  Photos were passed around at the Monday night meeting in Sylva’s town hall.

This will be a great event to attend.   Fun will be had by all!

We attended the Timber Framer’s Conference in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho last week.   With 300 or so timber framers and many timber frame companies and timber frame suppliers represented, it was worth the trip.  The Timber Frame Business Council’s Trade Fair was well attended and proved to be a good place to explore the options available for materials, tools and software.

Jerry Rouleau presented a couple of great seminars that, as always,  energized the attendees.   Some of his topics are “Gotcha’s” and others are “I knew that, but didn’t know that I knew it”.  He offers fresh ways to present information and reminds us that it’s all about the client.  If you get a chance to hear him speak, don’t miss out.

The Timber Frame Business Council’s member meeting was an opportunity for members to voice concerns and offer suggestions and for the Board to give an update on the new initiatives and work in progress.  New Executive Director Pam Hinton was introduced to the members.  She’s already working hard to make sure that everyone knows that the timber frame industry is as green as it gets and that working with a member of the TFBC is a big plus as you plan and build your project.

We are proud to be part of the timber frame community.   You’ll not meet a group of more dedicated people.  Here at Goshen Timber Frames our team of talented designers and craftsmen just “get it”.   What a pleasure it is to work with both timber framers all over North America and to work with our own team.

Had an interesting conversation with a local banker this morning.  We were discussing the gloom and doom reported daily by the media.  The R-word (recession) dominates the headlines.  He reminded me that there has never been a better time to build.   Rates are down, materials are available, labor is available.

Building a timber frame is an investment now…and long term.  A timber framed home, wrapped in insulated panels,  will save thousands upon thousand of dollars in energy savings for years to come.  Not only will you have a home of exceptional beauty and character, your cost to heat and cool it will be minimized by the energy efficient structure.

Today is the time to build.  Take advantage of the interest rates and don’t look back.   Have that home.  Preserve our resources.  Save money.

Goshen is adding another timber framer to their team.  This is an excellent opportunity to join a group of talented, dedicated timber framers.  Four day work weeks and great benefits complete the picture.  Don’t call, but do email bonnie@goshenframes.com if you are interested.

There is more to a timber frame home than meets the eye.  Make sure that the home package you purchase meets all of your needs.  Some contractors are comfortable raising and enclosing a frame.   Some are not.  If your contractor has never installed a frame package, you might want your timber frame company to either raise and enclose their package or send field advisors to assist.  Most companies will work with you to accomodate your particular needs, but work this out early in the process, before you sign an agreement.

Before building any home, especially a home that is not considered conventionally built, you should do your research. There are so many variables and so many options. Not only will you need to determine the style and size, but the cost. These factors all work together.

It’s easy to be caught up in the “cost per square foot” game. You figure, “okay, I can spend $600,000, so I can have a 3000 square foot home at $200 per square foot”. Not always. You can have a larger home if it is simple in style and if you keep your finishes within the “medium quality” range. You can spend the same amount to build a very small home with lots of corners, a complex roof, and high end finishes. Whether you opt for a rambling ranch single story home or a story and a half on a finished basement will make a huge difference in the cost to build.

The cost should be carefully calculated based on your needs and your budget. I was recently at a seminar and the speaker mentioned the “What do you want to spend? What could you spend if you pulled out all of the stops? and finally the “What are you willing to spend?” equations. The reality is we will always want to spend less, be able to spend more, but are willing to spend an amount somewhere in the middle.

There will be trade-offs. You will have to compromise. Size, unless you want a McMansion on a Cottage in the Woods budget, will probably be the least important factor. That 300 or 400 square feet won’t break the bank. The style (lots of corners and cornices, lots of dormers and gingerbread) will be a far greater determining factor.

Be realistic. There are things you can economize on and places you shouldn’t even consider cutting your budget. You can have great floors without busting the bank, but your windows should be the best you can afford.

Don’t believe that if you cut out a few hundred square feet you are going to save a bundle. That kitchen you want will cost the same in a 2500 square foot home and in a 3000 square foot home. You will still have “x” number of bathrooms.

All in all, budgeting for a timber frame is just like budgeting for any other home. You either feel that spending a little more to have a home that will stand the test of time, that will wow everyone who walks in the door, that will save thousands in energy costs is well worth the extra money spent, or you don’t.

Keep thinking about “willing to spend”…not “want to spend”.