Timber Frame Kits: Everything You Need to Know

A timber frame kit is the most accessible way to build a timber frame home, barn, or workshop. You get all the timber, precision-cut and labeled, with engineer-stamped plans — shipped to your site. Here's how kits work, what they cost, and how to choose the right one.

What Is a Timber Frame Kit?

A timber frame kit is a complete structural package: every post, beam, brace, rafter, and truss member — precision-cut with CNC machinery, labeled, and shipped to your building site. The kit includes:

All structural timbers: Posts, beams, tie beams, rafters, braces, and truss members — cut to exact length with all joinery machined
Engineer-stamped plans: Maine-licensed PE stamp, accepted nationwide for building permits
Assembly drawings: Detailed diagrams showing where every numbered piece goes
Oak pegs: Hardwood pegs for securing all joinery connections
Pegged joinery: Traditional mortise-and-tenon connections, pre-cut

What's not included: Foundation, enclosure/SIP panels, roofing, siding, windows, doors, mechanicals, interior finishes, crane rental, or on-site labor. These are handled by your local contractor — or by you, if you're doing a DIY build.

Why Buy a Kit vs. Custom Design?

Factor	Standard Kit	Custom Design
Price	$36,000–$52,000	$55,000–$120,000+
Lead time	varies by frame — contact us for current estimates	contact us for current estimates
Engineering	Pre-engineered, stamped	Custom engineering
Modifications	Minor changes available	Fully bespoke
Best for	Budget-conscious, faster timeline	Unique site, specific vision

Standard kits are optimized for value. The engineering is done, the CNC programs are proven, and the design is refined through multiple builds. You get a well-designed frame at the best possible price. Custom frames give you complete control — but at a higher cost and longer timeline.

Our Standard Kit Lineup

20×32 Colonial series (starting at $36,000)

Our entry-level frames — 640 sq ft footprint with a usable loft. Available in three truss configurations:

Tongue & Fork Colonial (Starting at $36,000): Classic colonial proportions with tongue-and-fork rafters. Clean, traditional look.
Mid Post (Starting at $39,000): Additional mid-span posts for wider openings and extended roof overhangs.
Center Post Colonial (Starting at $37,000): Central posts for a symmetrical, balanced aesthetic.

Best for: starter homes, cabins, workshops, guest houses, ADUs.

24×30 King's Post (Starting at $42,000)

720 sq ft footprint with traditional king-post trusses. The central king post supports the ridge beam, creating a dramatic overhead focus. Expandable loft space above the tie beams.

Best for: family homes, great rooms, barn-dominiums.

24×27 Arch Truss (Starting at $52,000)

Our flagship two-story frame — 1,296 sq ft of living space across two levels. The arched truss geometry creates a stunning vaulted ceiling on the main floor with a full second story above. Clear-span living with no interior posts.

Best for: full-time residences, luxury cabins, mountain homes.

How to Choose the Right Kit

1. Start with Your Site

Slope, orientation, views, and access all affect which frame works best. A 20×32 colonial fits a tighter site; a 24×27 arch truss wants a site where you can appreciate the height.

2. Think About How You'll Use the Space

Full-time home? Weekend cabin? Workshop? Home office with living quarters? The arch truss gives you two full floors; the colonials give you one floor plus a loft.

3. Consider Your Timeline

Lead times vary frame by frame as we grow — contact us for current estimates. Custom modifications add engineering time. If you need a frame by a specific date, plan backward from there.

4. Budget for the Whole Project

The kit is one budget line — plan separately for foundation, enclosure, roof, windows, mechanicals, and finishes. See our cost guide for how frame cost fits the whole project.

Kit Modifications We Offer

Every standard kit can be modified. Common changes:

Extend or reduce dimensions (add a bay, stretch the length)
Add dormers for upstairs light and headroom
Change truss style (switch from king post to queen post)
Adjust roof pitch for snow load or aesthetic preference
Add porch or entry timber framing
Mixed species (Douglas Fir or Pine frame with Douglas Fir trusses)

Modifications are priced during engineering — we'll tell you the cost impact before you commit.

The Kit Process: Step by Step

Choose your kit — Browse our shop and pick the frame that fits your vision and budget
Start your order — contact us to confirm deposit and schedule for your frame
Engineering — shop drawings and any modifications you requested
Cutting — CNC precision cut
Lead time — varies frame by frame; contact us for current estimates
Shipping — Your labeled timbers ship on a flatbed to your site
Raising day — Crane + crew + 2-5 days = your frame is up
Enclose — SIPs or stick framing to weather-tight, then finish at your pace

Shipping: How It Works

We ship to all 48 contiguous states. Your timbers are loaded onto a flatbed truck — each piece is numbered and the load is secured for transit. Shipping is quoted for your site — contact us for an estimate. We coordinate delivery timing so you (or your contractor) are ready with a forklift or crane to unload.

DIY vs. Professional Raising

Every kit comes with detailed assembly drawings — each piece is numbered and the joinery is pre-cut. Think of it as a large-scale puzzle: the drawings show where every timber goes, and a crane is strongly recommended for raising day.

We offer raising consultation for DIY builders — remote guidance via phone and video during your raising day. For sites within 100 miles of Paris, Maine, our crew can handle the full raising. For sites further away, we can recommend experienced timber frame riggers.

Common Questions

Can I see a kit before I buy?

Every kit has detailed photo galleries on our product pages, and our portfolio shows finished projects. Start an inquiry to talk through truss style, scope, and pricing for your site — we are happy to walk through options by phone or email.

What if my building department has questions?

Our Maine-licensed engineer provides stamped plans for Maine projects. For projects outside Maine, we coordinate with an engineer licensed in your state to review and stamp plans for local requirements. If your local department has questions, we can provide additional documentation or speak with them directly.

Can I combine kits?

Yes — a common approach is to use one frame for the main structure and a smaller frame for a connected wing, porch, or outbuilding. We can engineer the connection between two frames.

A NETF kit is a cut-and-shipped frame package — numbered timbers, assembly drawings, and Maine PE-stamped plans — with enclosure and finish still on your side of the ledger.