Why Off Site Construction is the Right Choice for Your New Build or Extension

1. Quality Control

In a factory facility, the highly-engineered manufacturing process of timber frames benefits from an advanced level of quality control, guaranteeing a degree of precision that would be difficult to obtain with on-site construction. Self-builders will also be able to approve the drawings prior to the manufacturing procedures commences, this further eliminates for any discrepancies on site. The self-builder will be in control of exactly how their new house will look.

2. Design

Self-builders can choose to instruct their own architect to design their new home, or your suppliers own designers may also assist. There are no limitations as to the designs you can achieve using timber frame. Many suppliers also offer ‘off-the shelf’ timber frame kits which are already designed and available for supply and fit with many of these systems also offering planning and building regulation drawings. The timber frame kits are also available as full build packages where a supplier will provide all the works required, including the timber frame, for a turnkey service meaning no organising of trades, no ordering of materials or arranging connection of services. These are all looked after by the one main contractor. These ‘off-the shelf’ timber frame kits can be adapted to suit many Client specific requirements and be tailored to suit individual site characteristics. With the design elements discussed early on in a projects timeline, with the Clients invited to meet with the supplier to discuss in detail the design, the precision of all the elements does mean any amendments later down the line will be difficult and possibly costly if there are structural implications.

3. Cost Certainty

With a lot of ‘budget estimates’ being given to self-builders for their new build projects, receiving a fixed contract price for a pre-fabricated system allows for the self-builder to have certainty from the outset that there will be no hidden costs that come as nasty surprises later on down the line. With an upfront fixed price for the superstructure it helps set out the rest of the budget for your project.

4. Speed

Manufacture of the timber frame panels for new build homes are undertaken within a factory environment, meaning they are not affected by adverse weather conditions and can continue whilst groundworks and other preparation works are completed on-site. With self-builders project managing their own builds, the benefit of off-site construction assists with booking in follow on trades as timescales are more definitive as no requirement for ‘down periods’ or ‘drying out’. Weathertight structures are formed much quicker with follow on trades able to commence their works in a warm and dry environment which assist with the speed of the whole scheme and ultimately meaning you can move in quicker. Below is a time lapse video of a timber frame build (note the dates at the bottom of the video!).

5. Sustainability & Thermal Efficiency

Timber frame pre-fabricated panels are built to high standards of thermal insulation and air tightness achieving very low U Values as well as further reducing cold bridging if specification dictated. The running’s costs of a highly insulated structure are considerably reduced. Using computer controlled accuracy maximises the efficiency as well as using fewer building materials and cutting down on waste. All off-cuts of timber can easily be recycled (we give our off-cuts of timber to local residents to use for fuel to heat their homes!) and also traced back via their chain of custody to ensure all the wood used within your project are from responsibly sourced forests.