Designing to a Budget
An important part of the design process is Riverbend’s whole-home cost estimate which contemplates all aspects of your home design before and during the design process. This transparency and collaboration allow us to meet your design needs as we factor in your budget.
Manage the Cost to Build With Our Design Processes
Riverbend Timber Framing offers different pathways to help you make your timber frame home a reality.
The PerfectFit™ by Riverbend process is designed to create your dream home with faster construction times. Our floor plans feature smaller footprints to reduce the conceptual design and construction time. These floor plans include all types of timber frame design styles, from modern farmhouse to mid century to mountain style, and we can make minor changes to better suit your lifestyle. This option is excellent for anyone looking to save time or work within a specific budget.
Our Total Home Solution™ is ideal for those who want to create their own custom design, whether you are starting from one of our customizable designs or from scratch. With the THS custom design process, you can be assured that we will meet the specific look and feel you want in your home. As part of this process, we create a layout that matches both your aesthetic style and your budget.
How Much Do Timber Frame Homes Cost?
You know you want to build a custom timber frame home, but you’re wondering about cost. The truth is that there isn’t a single answer to this question. Every custom home will have its own price tag based on your selections and other factors involved in the construction process.
At Riverbend Timber Framing, we understand that cost plays an important role in your custom timber home, and we want to align with your goals as closely as possible. With our selection of floor plans, we can provide general estimates based on the expected materials. At the same time, we only get a truly accurate number once we understand all factors involved in your project.
Our ready-to-build plans and custom options can help you create your timber frame home according to your budget, and we’ll use your cost goals as a guidepost throughout the project. Our team is happy to make adjustments as needed to stay within a specific price point.
What Factors Impact the Cost of Your Timber Frame Home?
No matter which design path you choose to pursue with Riverbend Timber Framing, there are many different factors that can ultimately affect the cost to build your completed home. Here are some of the things you need to take into consideration when designing and building your timber frame home and how we address each within our PerfectFit™ by Riverbend and Total Home Solution™ custom processes:
Size of Plan
The square footage of your timber home is the most influential variable and has an impact on each of the other variables. For example, a larger house requires more materials and more manufacturing labor. The size of your custom timber home is a fairly simple adjustment to make if your initial plans exceed your budget. Our designers are experienced with all types of floor plans, and we can identify how to modify the size while still including your design priorities.
PerfectFit™ by Riverbend designs feature smaller footprints and are designed with creative layouts that maximize the usefulness of every space in the home. We often recommend PerfectFit™ by Riverbend homes when your budget is a top priority because it’s easier to manage costs with less square footage. An added benefit of PerfectFit™ by Riverbend is the time saved on conceptualizing your design and completing construction.
Total Home Solution™ custom homes are designed to meet our clients’ needs and oftentimes have larger footprints. When you have a specific vision in mind, our Total Home Solution™ is the best way to achieve a fully custom timber frame home. Your budget will certainly guide our work, but this option is often better suited to you if design creativity is your top priority.
Design Complexity & Balance
The number of corners, roof ridgelines and roof valleys add interest to your design but also impact your home’s overall cost. Timber framing requires various processes like precisely cutting mortise and tenon to join timber pieces. Each design element adds more complexity to our manufacturing process that we take great care to complete accurately.
PerfectFit™ by Riverbend designs include just enough complexity to offer architectural interest while keeping costs lower by utilizing our hybrid timber construction process.
Given the design freedom of our Total Home Solution™, these custom timber homes are often more complex than our ready-to-build plans. Your designer will identify your home’s ideal balance of design complexity within your budget parameters.
Choice of Materials
Part of the design process is choosing the density, size and style of timber framing that works best for your project.
The signature timber framing in PerfectFit™ by Riverbend designs beautifully complements the architectural styling of each home. The distinctive character, creative connections and incorporation of metal delivers an upscale look, while hybrid timber framing helps achieve a lower project cost.
The structural timber framing in our Total Home Solution™ custom homes also beautifully complements the architectural styling of each home and is a true reflection of the client’s style. Your designer will help you choose a frame system that fits your style and is within your specified budget.
Level of Finishes
The finishes you choose for your project have a huge impact on the final look and feel of your new timber home. We can provide cost estimates and guidance to help you choose finishes that match both your budget and your unique style.
Additional Cost Factors To Keep In Mind
In addition to the home design, there are factors that need to be addressed in order to accurately estimate the cost to build the whole home.
Build Site Conditions
Site conditions such as accessibility, slope, snow loads and availability of services will be unique for each build location. If your build site presents any issues, your design team is available to meet you at your site and incorporate your specific site information into your plan, allowing costs to be estimated more accurately.
Build Site Location
Different geographic economies create variances in the average cost of labor and local materials. When we look at your project as a whole, we evaluate the location and look at current building prices. If you want to learn more about your build location, reach out to a Riverbend Timber Framing representative near you! Our team will walk you through the approximate costs to build in your local area.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Timber Frame Budget
Regardless of your ideal price point, it’s valuable to know how to maximize your budget when designing your custom timber home.
Know Your Priorities
Many people choose to build custom timber homes so they can include their must-haves in a single property. You may be looking for a very specific floor plan or particular design aesthetic that doesn’t exist elsewhere. Designing a custom timber frame home gives you the opportunity to include those must-haves.
To manage your budget, it’s essential to understand what elements you want to prioritize and what compromises you can make. For instance, maybe your dream home must include an open kitchen and great room with high ceilings. By way of compromise, you may decide you don’t need a third bedroom on the second floor.
Navigating these priorities will be especially important with our Total Home Solution™, and our team can help you determine what elements you want in your final design.
Consider Value-Add Services and Features
The money you spend on your custom timber frame home includes more than design and building. You’ll want to factor in the types of value-add services you receive throughout the project. For example, PerfectFit™ by Riverbend homes are made using structural insulated panels (SIPs). These panels improve energy efficiency, helping you save on heating and cooling throughout the year.
In addition, Riverbend’s team of structural engineers ensures the integrity and longevity of your home from the very beginning. This value-add service means your home will be stable and long-lasting through all types of weather, making it a worthwhile investment.
Work With the Right Team
The right team will understand all the details affecting your budget and work with you to create a plan that meets all your requirements. At Riverbend Timber Framing, your needs and priorities are the focus. We keep the design process collaborative to ensure we include every element you’re searching for at the right price.
Contact Riverbend for a Timber Frame Home Designed to Your Budget
Riverbend is a premium timber frame home designer that makes your custom home a reality. Our commitment to your requirements, from design elements to cost, results in a stunning timber frame home that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Contact us today to start designing. For more information on the PerfectFit™ by Riverbend process, sign up for one of our webinars.
Need More Information?
Whether you’re looking for more information or would simply like to learn more about us and our services, don’t hesitate to contact us. Please follow the link below to access our online form or call us at 888.486.2363 in the US or 888.999.4744 in Canada. We look forward to hearing from you.
Order Riverbend Brochure Contact Us