Andy Parker

Andy joined Carpenter Oak & Woodland in 2005, to help the company provide a greater focus on customer service, marketing and sales. Andy’s background is varied indeed – helping him to bring a wide range of skills to the team. An avid lover of carpentry, Andy has also spent time in furniture restoration and conservation – something he still enjoys as a hobby.

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Previous posts

• Past project revisited
• Directory of Oak Frame Architects
• Whisky brings warmth to timber framed homes
• Timber Supply for Oak Frame Houses
• Timber frame for supermarkets

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By Andy Parker

At some point every self builder is trying to pin down the cost of their project and they will get such varying advice that it must be enough to put many off the process altogether. We are frequently asked for guidance on the cost of an oak framed house but I fear that in giving it we only add to the plethora of information already swimming around in people’s heads. Build It magazine regularly publish building costs for different build types and earlier this year Grand Designs magazine made comparisons between homes built in steel frame, brick and block, pre-cast concrete panels and timber frame.

In summary steel frame came in at £1,000 – £1,100 per sqm, brick and block at £900 – £1,100 per sqm, pre-cast concrete at £1,200 – £1,500 per sqm, conventional timber frame at £750 – £950 per sqm and post and beam timber framing at £1,000 – £1,200 per sqm.

Clearly this puts oak framing in a very favourable light with all methods of construction except conventional timber frame. However many people underestimate the proportion of their budget that will need to be allocated to interior fixtures and fittings.

If you’re trying to build on a tight budget it’s worth bearing in mind that you can spend £5,000 on a kitchen or £50,000 on a kitchen. Some self builders are choosing to spend some of their available budget on an oak frame that will enhance their home for ever and install a low cost kitchen that they’ll replace in a few years when they have more funds available.

On this basis you may be surprised to find that an oak frame is within your grasp!