Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes you from other timberframe companies?
To start with, Bensonwood is the company largely responsible for reviving timberframing in America and combining it with modern innovations and ideas. As innovators we are constantly re-inventing the way homes are conceived, designed, built and maintained. Our staff of award-winning designers, architects and engineers help bring your vision into focus. With your design complete an experienced project manager works directly with you and your general contractor to efficiently move your project through to completion.
Why should we choose Bensonwood over other timberframe companies?
Bensonwood has been building for more than 30 years. During that period we have delighted clients with some of the finest new homes and buildings in America. We are on a constant quest for whole house solutions. Our research and development efforts have pioneered many of the improvements that have shaped and focused the industry. Every member of Bensonwood is dedicated to serving clients fully and completely.
How much does it cost to build a Bensonwood home?
A Bensonwood home is comparable in cost to high quality construction going on in the area where the home is being built, if that high quality conventional construction is built with the same durability, and comparable insulation in our timber frame homes. However, because Bensonwood home designs and estimates are highly accurate, our clients enjoy the benefit of having predictable costs with very few surprises.
How does the cost of a timberframe home compare to a log or stick-frame home?
There is little difference in the cost of building a fully timberframed home with insulated panels compared to a conventionally framed home with the "SAME" performance qualities. This, combined with structural integrity (timberframes can last hundreds of years), architectural interest and overall uniqueness of a timberframed home make for a huge difference in value.
How does Bensonwood compare in cost to other timberframe companies?
We are competitive throughout our industry. Since there are wide ranges of quality in panels, timber joinery, timbers, and engineering and design, we recommend that you spend time learning as much as possible about other companies. We're confident you'll see that we provide the best overall value and service for comparable cost.
How many homes/projects do you build a year?
At least 40 projects each year, from modest, affordable homes to large commercial projects.
Do you offer custom design services?
Certainly. We have architects and designers on staff. Our custom designs have been featured in many of the country's premier publications, including Architectural Digest, New England Home, This Old House and Fine Home Building. We also offer professional engineering services. Our engineers work with client architects to design more highly unique and beautiful timberframes across the country.
Do you have pre-designed home plans?
Yes. Our design staff has created home designs that capitalize on 30-plus years of building fabulous, custom structures to create unique, affordable designs. And because our designs are a part of the Open-Built® digital backbone, we can electronically reconfigure our plans to meet any need or lifestyle. Visit our Online Design Guide to learn more.
Do you sell timberframe house kits?
No. We follow our projects to the site and then make sure they are assembled with the highest quality and attention to detail possible. The very craftspeople who complete your project in the shop are often the same people who complete the shell package on site.
What is Open-Built®?
Bensonwood's Open-Built® system is derived from applying Open Building principles to our projects. Open Building begins at the design phase with a view toward well-organized systems and a focus on efficiency in materials and assembly. This is carried throughout the building process to ensure efficient project coordination, easier scheduling, shorter construction time, and ultimately, lower costs to you.
What is included in the Bensonwood Shell Package?
Our standard shell package includes: timberframe (for timberframed structures), exterior wall panels, roof panels, Open-Built® second floor and ceiling system, ceiling panels, windows and exterior doors with their trim, construction drawings, and a Bensonwood entry door, and the services of a project steward.
Will Bensonwood work with my architect?
We routinely work with outside architects to deliver engineered plans, drawings and even completed projects.
What if I need engineer or architect stamped drawings?
Our architects and engineers are licensed in many states. For those states where we do not possess licenses, we have an extensive network of professionals who we collaborate with to ensure your plans meet local regulations.
What are the advantages of working with a pre-designed home plan?
Because these plans have already undergone a great deal of thought by the designers and have been through structural and engineering reviews, it translates into savings on time and project costs. Electronically stored designs in our Open-Built® digital catalog can be quickly and efficiently modified to meet your needs without going to the expense of brand new-custom plans.
What is the first step toward starting a design with Bensonwood?
Gather your ideas and contact us via phone, email, postcard, letter, etc. You can also fill out the Build My Home form on our web site and we'll have some information to begin our discussions with you.
Do you have a model home?
Model homes represent model work. Because we want you to see the work we do for everyone, we have an extensive list of clients who are happy to make their homes available for tours to prospective customers. You can also visit one of our many commercial projects that is open to the public. Contact us to coordinate a visit with the owners of our tour homes. If possible, we'll even send a Bensonwood representative to greet you.
Will you build anywhere in the country?
Yes, and we occasionally build internationally.
What is the payment schedule for the Shell Package Contract?
Our typical schedule includes six payments: 1) Deposit at time of signing contract (usually about 10% of value of the package). 2) The second payment is billed when shop work begins on your project (usually about 30% of package value). 3) The third payment is billed upon completion of the shop work (about 30% of package value). 4) The fourth payment is billed after your frame and panels have been erected on site. 5) The fifth payment is billed when your windows and doors are delivered to your site. 6) The final payment is billed to you when the Bensonwood Entry Door is delivered to your site.
Can you price a house plan now (before it's fully designed) to help me with financing the land and construction costs in one loan?
Because the design of your home is usually linked to your specific site and its requirements, it is extremely difficult to develop accurate pricing estimates for your project. You could, however, get a sense for the potential construction costs by researching the cost of well built, custom designed homes in your area.
How long does it take to build a Bensonwood shell package in the shop and prepare it for delivery?
Depending on our schedule, the complexity of the project and the client's needs, Bensonwood typically requires a 12 to 16 week lead time for delivery of your project.
How long does it take to assemble a Bensonwood shell package on site?
This depends on the size and complexity of your project. The frame and shell for a modest New England Cape can take as little as a week, where an expansive, complex home with a soaring great rooms and multiple wings, would take considerably longer.
Is the Shell Package "weather-tight"?
It's very close. We try to coordinate with your contractor, so that immediately upon completion of our standard shell package your roofer can apply underlayment. At that point, your home is weather-tight. (Most local roofing contractors insist on putting down the underlayment in order to provide a warranty on the finished roof.)
Does Bensonwood provide exterior siding? Roofing? Interior partition walls?
While these items are not part of our standard shell package, we are happy to supply items or materials that are not available to the local builder.
What window manufacturer do you use and why?
We provide Loewen Windows as part of our standard shell package. We believe their products employ the design characteristics, quality and service that are in keeping with Bensonwood's standards.
How do Loewen windows compare in price and performance with other manufacturers?
We have found Loewen to be a great value. The quality is high--equal to Marvin, better than Anderson, and there are a good range of options. The primary benefits that connect us with Loewen are the use of Douglas fir to match interior details and solid strong window construction that allows for large windows and superior energy ratings.
Once the shell package is on site, how long will it take to complete our home?
This depends on the size and complexity of your project, as well as your contractor's schedule, but a modest home can usually be completed within 3 to 6 months from the time our shell is completed. This is why contractor selection is critical to your project.
Can you recommend a builder in our area?
We have an extensive list of associate builders and contacts throughout the country and are happy to help you select a local builder.
How expensive will it be to transport Bensonwood timbers, crew and components from New Hampshire to my site?
This is dependent on the size and complexity of your project, and the distance your package needs to be shipped.
Do you work with developers?
We have completed several projects with developers across the country. We work closely with these partners to ensure the highest standards are met and the highest quality and uniqueness of each project is maintained.
Do you work with owner/builders?
The owner-builder is a big part of the Bensonwood culture. Many of our associates are owner-builders themselves and we get a great deal of pride and enjoyment working with the intrepid individuals who work hard to realize their dream.
Do you build timberframe additions?
Only on rare occasions -- and usually on homes we originally built.
What type of insulation do you use? Why?
We currently offer two different types of insulated wall panels. Our advanced foam-insulated panels are filled with 5.5 inches of a two-part polyurethane foam. For environmental considerations we offer our Cellulose Insulated Panels which are filled with 5.5 inches of cellulose insulation from recycled newspaper rated R 3.7/inch. We have migrated away from using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for wall panels because of the inordinate amount of waste typically generated. However, our roof panels are SIPs with polystyrene insulation.
Do you use SIPs--Structural Insulated Panels?
The roof panels that are part of our standard shell package are foam core panel "SIP" blanks that we purchase and cut to your project's specifications. We like using SIPs for roof applications because they can typically be configured to create minimal waste.
What are the "R Values" for your wall and roof panels?
Our advanced foam-insulated panels are rated at an R-value of 22. Our cellulose insulated panels are rated at an R-value of 20. Our typical foam-insulated roof panels are rated at an R-value of about 30.
What is the difference between timberframe and post-and-beam?
The generally accepted understanding is that post-and-beam construction involves large timbers, either natural or engineered, comprising the structural skeleton for a building. Timberframe is increasingly becoming the term used to identify a subset of post-and-beam construction when the timbers are connected using primarily traditional wooden joinery techniques, such as the mortise-and-tenon joint.
What species of wood do you recommend?
We can utilize most any species that is suitable for structural purposes. However, we often use Douglas Fir because it combines beauty and structural strength comparable to many favorite hardwoods, without the shrinkage and weight issues.
Do you use recycled timbers?
While more expensive than new timbers, using reclaimed timbers is ecologically sound and is a responsible natural resource management practice which is at the heart of Bensonwood's corporate philosophy. Also the beauty, character and color of reclaimed timbers are virtually unattainable with freshly sawn timber.
What about kiln-dried timbers?
Every client has the option of using kiln-dried timbers. Obviously there is an associated cost, but for some applications the use of kiln-dried timbers is simply more appropriate.
What is the best heating system for a timber frame home?
We often recommend hydronic (hot water) heat systems because of their flexibility and many options for delivering heat. Hot water systems are easy to accommodate in a timberframe home. The small diameter of pipes used in hydronic systems make them easy to run through partitions and in floor systems. Radiant floor hydronic heat is easy to use in our Open-Built® system and has been a popular choice for clients in recent years. However, most types of heating and cooling systems, including forced air systems, can be just as appropriate for a timberframe home.
What about air exchangers? What do they do? Why do we need one?
Our shell package creates a tight thermal envelope to reduce heating and cooling costs. But tight buildings, without adequate ventilation, can trap humidity and pollutants. An air-to-air heat exchanger (heat recovery ventilator) maintains healthy indoor air quality and the quality of the home's components by exhausting stale, moist air from the home and bringing fresh air into the home. We specify an air exchange strategy for all the homes we build.