Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the question to see the answer
Yes. We have two smaller versions: one at 1,843 sq./ft. and the second, 2,017 sq./ft. Call for details.
Yes. For non-Bensonwood homes we design and build freestanding additions, separated from your existing structure by at least four inches. Your local contractor would be responsible for connecting your Bensonwood addition to your existing home.
Yes (see above). Your local contractor would be responsible for exterior wall demolition and joining to existing structure.
It depends on your design and the level of energy efficiency desired. Our standard shell package includes:
- The services of a project steward
- Construction plans and document set
- Timberframe raised (for timberframed structures)
- Open-Built® panel enclosure system, installed
- Open-Built® second floor and first floor ceiling system, installed
- Roof panels
- Pine roof boards, pre-stained and installed
- Windows and exterior doors
- entry door.
An experienced crew is sent to raise the frame and install the panels and floor system.
Shipping costs FOB Walpole, NH, 03608 are not included in the package costs.
A Bensonwood home is comparable in cost to high quality construction going on in the area where the home is being built, providing that high quality conventional construction is built with equivalent durability and insulation to our timberframe homes. However, because Bensonwood home designs and estimates are highly accurate, our clients enjoy the benefit of having predictable costs, with very few surprises.
In addition to supplying our energy-efficient shell package, for local/ regional projects Bensonwood offers whole-house design/ build solutions. These complete packages include exterior trim, roofing, finished interior walls, energy-efficient mechanical systems (i.e.: plumbing, HVAC, and electrical), kitchen cabinets, countertops, and bathroom fixtures&mdsash;all with the quality that has made Bensonwood the acknowledged leader in the high-value, high-performance home industry.
There is little difference in the cost of building a fully timberframed home with insulated panels, compared to a conventionally framed, or log 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.
If Bensonwood is hired as the Construction Manager, we can provide everything but the land.
It depends on the size of your home, and the shipping distance from our facilities. Time being money, the time saved on site is money saved—which should more than cover the shipping costs.
Prefabrication saves construction time on site. Dollar for dollar, this allows Bensonwood to add a level of craftsmanship rarely seen on comparably priced, conventional stick-built homes. The shell package for most of our projects is raised and enclosed within 2-3 weeks.
Client house prices are confidential. It should be noted that the Weston House has a very high level of finish. We are now offering two smaller Weston-inspired, barn-style homes. Give us a call and we can work on pricing specific to your site and needs.
Yes. But the This Old House Weston episodes will continue to run through the end of January '09. In January '09, the entire Weston 16-episode series will be re-broadcast. Check your local listings here
We use Cadwork throughout the company for both 3D modeling and 2D drawing. In addition, we use Artlantis for the rendering of the walkthrough. Although you saw these programs running on a Mac, it was configured to run Windows, as Cadwork and Artlantis are Windows-only programs.
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.
We routinely work with outside architects to deliver engineered plans, drawings and even completed projects.
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.
Yes. We build homes and commercial buildings of all shapes and sizes. Our portfolio includes plenty of examples for complex shapes homes, including polygons, round, and arches.
Yes. We build houses from 800 SF and up. And with our in-house architects and design team, we can custom build houses less than 800 SF. It’s important to note that with our open space plans and high level of craft, all our small houses feel much grander than their modest footprints would suggest.
Yes. Carefully chosen modern design concepts and materials, combined with the mindset of a traditional sense of craft and quality, enable us to provide high quality and aesthetically pleasing modern homes. Extensive research and knowledge of new technology complement these unique buildings.
Yes. Call and we can show you examples.
Yes, we can provide you with this service. And yes, installation comes at an additional cost.
Yes. In our structural design we inquire about any specialty items that must be considered beyond standard design loads. Sometimes custom supports are required at additional cost.
Yes. Please contact us with your specific requirements
The walls are designed to be R35 with a total wall thickness of around 10 3/4" depending on specified finishes. The roof is an 8 1/4" panel plus 3/4" interior finish and exterior roofing for a designed R-value of R38.
Yes. We design and build panelized homes, with the same Bensonwood quality as our timberfame homes.
The decision about "if and how much finish gets pre-applied during shop production" depends on multiple factors including, but not limited to, site access, shipping restrictions, installation equipment availability and more. In many cases we can install the siding of your preference, including vertical siding, clapboard, shingle, or sheet goods. And yes, we can finish wall panels with drywall or any other material of your choice.
It depends on size, complexity, and level of finish for the home, but our typical shop time fabricating and pre-finishing all construction elements takes about 3-6 weeks once design is finalized, and on-site assembly can be accomplished in 1-3 weeks.
Yes. We can pre-install the tubing on our floor systems.
This will vary depending on permitting requirements and weather in your area. Typical projects will take a year, while we can "rush": jobs through in 3-4 months.
It could be as fast as 6 months to a year, depending on how quickly designs can be finalized and building coordination, such as building permits, etc., can happen. Other parameters, such as material choices and weather, can affect the process time as well.
Sure. We have commercial sources, but give us a try.
What we have found is that it is financially, logistically, and practically disadvantageous to use site-harvested timbers. It is more cost-effective for you to harvest the wood from your property, privately, using the proceeds to offset the cost of the house. However, in some instances, we may be able to use select, un-hewn timbers from your site for part of your frame, depending on species, uniformity, seasoning and end use applicability. Reclaimed timbers we can use, providing it is cost-effective to deliver to our shops.
Yes. We recommend using our highly-skilled timberframe site crew, for raising, however.
This product provides an airspace between the siding and the water resistant barrier of our walls. That space serves as a drainage plane behind the siding for water potential coming through the siding from wind-driven rain. It helps to avoid moisture from wicking into the back side of the siding.
They were nailed off site at our production facilities. Nail holes are covered by the overlapping row of shingles above.
No. We also build panelized homes, with our own Open-Built® walls and SIPs for roof panels.
We design and manufacture our own insulated structural wall panels. For roof panels, we cut and partially prebuild the SIPs to spec.
On the Weston house, the timberframe bears the load. The wall panels are structural, but not load bearing. All wall panels on our timberframe houses have some structural capacity to add rigidity against wind loads and support for windows. For our (non-timberframe) panelized homes, we make load bearing structural walls.
We send it back to the manufacturer. Dr. Shrink is offering this option for recycling.
Yes. Bensonwood now offers whole-house design and building solutions, primarily for local and regional projects.
We build anywhere in North America. In certain circumstances, we build internationally.
All our homes meet LEED criteria.
We use engineered lumber products for joists. Their style and size depends on the spans required by the designs. Most of the time, we use engineered I-joists, such as TJI or Boise Alljoist, but we have also used Openweb joists
Around 9 feet, adjustable up or down. 10 feet, floor to floor.
Sorry, but no. Our designs utilize components, pre-engineered systems, specialized assembly methods, tools and equipment that are essential to the safe execution and quality results of one of our homes. These ingredients are inherent in our methods and processes, and cannot be sufficiently represented in our plans. Though we are staunch advocates of the education and improvement of the building trades, we're not able to provide the one-time training and technical support necessary to enable those unfamiliar with our systems to build homes using our plans without our involvement.
Back to the top.
