Carolina Timberworks

Craftsmanship. Passion. Service.

Timber Frame Kits

Timber Frame Kits

Timber Frame Kits

The timber frame kits you see here are crafted with the same quality and attention to detail as the large, beautiful homes you see elsewhere on our website. They are all timber frame structures you will love building, and spending time in with your family and friends. They will last for decades. So, please, take a look at the timber frame kits and the descriptions and give us a call. We’ll deliver within a reasonable distance from our shop, and we’ll give you all the help and assembly advice we can over the phone or by email.

Click on an image to learn more about the kit.

Japanese Tea House

We originally designed and built this as a garden shed in Charlotte NC for a client who absolutely loves it. What’s not to love? My wife saw the picture and sighed: “Ahhhhh …. I need that and I’ve got an important birthday coming up later this year.”

Learn more… Japanese Tea House

timber frame mallet

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FAQs

Can I customize the kits?
With the exception of the Scrappy Bench and Farmhouse Table, our timber frame kits are made to order, so you can customize them to suit your particular needs.
Is this a kit that includes the wood, or just the plans for me to build myself?
All of our kits include the wood, hardware (like 1” White Oak pegs and structural screws), and are completely pre-cut and ready for fast (and fun) assembly.
Can I really build this?
Tough to say. If you’re a reasonably accomplished carpenter, or have high DIY skill levels, then the answer is yes at least for level one and two. If you’re the type of person that would really rather not put together a piece of Ikea furniture, then, well, seek professional help. The exception is the Scrappy Bench, which is pretty straightforward. The Heavy Duty Mailbox Post, Firewood Storage Shed, and Cedar Pergola are all pretty simple, and the components are fairly easy to handle. Call them Level One. The Japanese Tea House, and Patio Shade Structure are a step up; I’d call them Level Two. The Gazebo, Garage Apartment plan, Pavilion and Outdoor Kitchen all require professional skill levels so these are level three. Some carpenters or builders may just take you on as a co-worker. You pay them for their time, you benefit from their experience, and you get to build your project. I’ve done this with several of my clients over the years and it was fun for me, and fun for them. I get paid for having fun and teaching, they get their project built in a professional manner.
Do I need a permit?
This brings up the whole issue of code compliance: Many of the bigger kits will need to be placed on and anchored to foundation footings (sono tubes in most jurisdictions). You may need a building permit and you may need to observe property line setbacks and other local code requirements. In my experience, it is always a good idea to walk right into the office of your local Code Enforcement Officer and get his or her opinion. To avoid pulling a permit when one is required generally has unpleasant downstream consequences. I’ve always been straight up honest with my local CEO and it has stood me well.
Do I need to get the plans approved by a structural engineer?
All of these kits are proven designs, i.e. they were designed for a specific client, engineered and the drawings “stamped” by our timber frame engineering firm, permitted (if required), constructed, and final-inspected by the local building official (if required). Which should give your local CEO peace of mind.
For the professional carpenter or builder: Why do I need a kit?
You don’t. But, it’s a heck of a lot easier to order one of our kits — I would. Why? For the same reason I’m not going to site build kitchen cabinets or windows. Getting a kit of parts streamlines my workflow, makes the highest and best use of my labor force, and let’s me have all the fun of putting the structure up without having to go through the hassle of design, engineering, ordering the timber, and then finding a place on a crowded job site to fabricate the frame. If that doesn’t convince you, the price will. Since we are buying the timber, pegs, steel connections etc. in bulk, and cutting the frame in our purpose-built shop where we’re all set up, we can do it for less than you can. Believe me, I’ve run the numbers! Think of it as “systems building.” Our frames are a component in your overall build, just like pre-fabricated windows, doors, kitchen cabinets or roof trusses. It’s still a custom building and you’re still a custom builder, we’re just providing one of the components in your system.
For the Architect or Certified Professional Building Designer: Why do I need a kit?
You don’t. But, you can take any of our timber frame kits and incorporate it into your overall design. We can customize it, within reason, and we can also engineer, fabricate, install and deliver any custom design.

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