Engineer for a stick build timberframe

dave78

Ive got carpenters who can stick build my timberframe house. Im for an engineer to insure its structurally sound and give me direction re BER cert etc. Im based on the Meath Kildare border. Does anyone know of an engineer that can do this? Any idea of cost?

Gumbo

dave78 wrote: »

Ive got carpenters who can stick build my timberframe house. Im for an engineer to insure its structurally sound and give me direction re BER cert etc. Im based on the Meath Kildare border. Does anyone know of an engineer that can do this? Any idea of cost?

You want to build a site cut timber frame house?
Why not order a frame from one of the large timber frame companies?

Is there much dpsavings to be made considering the very tight tolorences around the timber fram +- 10mm IIRC.

dave78

kceire wrote: »

You want to build a site cut timber frame house?
Why not order a frame from one of the large timber frame companies?

Is there much dpsavings to be made considering the very tight tolorences around the timber fram +- 10mm IIRC.

Yes i think there is good savings to be made.im still putting a 4 inch block on outside. If i go with a timberframe company i still need an engineer to say its a safe structure etc

sydthebeat

dave78 wrote: »

Ive got carpenters who can stick build my timberframe house. Im for an engineer to insure its structurally sound and give me direction re BER cert etc. Im based on the Meath Kildare border. Does anyone know of an engineer that can do this? Any idea of cost?

engineers costs to do calcuations on a bespoke DIY timber frame build should run the costs of the build over what it would cost to order a factory build.

in a factory build they can spread the calculation costs over many units, however all your costs will be loaded onto one build.

with BCARS and the 'post priory hall' environment i think youd be lucky to find an engineer that would even quote you for such services.

unless the design is incredibly bespoke and unusual, a DIY timber frame generally equates to an attempt to build a cheap structure. Thats not an attractive proposition for any professional.

your carpenters will probably promise you they can do it no proble, and they probably can, but they are not the ones who have to stand over its structural integrity for 60 years.

sydthebeat

dave78 wrote: »

If i go with a timberframe company i still need an engineer to say its a safe structure etc

in this case the engineer would be certifying everything other than the frame, and would be looking for the timber frame company to provide certification of the structural integrity of their frame.

Metric Tensor

As syd says - not only will the Engineering fees be higher but I'd expect the material costs to be higher too.

In a bespoke environment without the benefit of advanced factory based machining the engineer will probably have to use bigger/heavier members closer together than would be required for a factory produced framed element.

A classic example of this is the way a hollowcore concrete slab has significantly less material than a cast in-situ concrete slab due to the factory techniques of casting cores and pre-stressing the reinforcing steel.

kieran.

Many engineers specialise in consultancy work and provide many of the main timber frame companies with timber frame calc's and ancillary design certs.

Ive P'm you the names on three such specialists. Typical cost is €500-1000 for a reasonably straight forward house.

The large TF Companies no longer want to do one off private work due to the volume of work they are processing currently. A Stick build house could have savings of up to 30-40% over a kit house currently. No reason with the right professionals and construction crew on board that it cant be done to the proper standard.

A stick built house would generally be more accurate than a off site house as there is less variables all timbers are cut to fit whereas in a kit built house tolerance is designed in ie a 8.000m wall be designed in the factory as 7.990m etc.

On a final note - off-site is basically just stick built off site and then transported to site. There is very little difference in the process involved except the nailing of the the frames and plywood is automatic on an assembly line, all the timbers still need to be cut, man handled and assembled in a similar fashion as it would onsite.

Metric Tensor

I stand corrected!

gctest50

fancier joints in a factory though

unless you've a few Korean lads on-site :

kieran.

Cool video !!! .... but I dont think that the type of timberframe the OP is proposing

Metric Tensor

Just to add - there's no way I'd do a structural design and accompanying ancillary certs for any type of house for €500-€1000.

I'm surprised that this service can be go so cheaply.

kieran.

Metric Tensor wrote: »

Just to add - there's no way I'd do a structural design and accompanying ancillary certs for any type of house for €500-€1000.

I'm surprised that this service can be go so cheaply.

Thats only for the Timberframe structure.

Spec is generally quite generic except for lintel/structural steel & racking design.

Metric Tensor

The timber frame is the bulk of the structure though - it will support the upper floors and the roof.

The outer leaf is only a cladding so the timber frame takes the wind loading too.

(Obviously the foundation is separate)

dave78

kieran. wrote: »

Many engineers specialise in consultancy work and provide many of the main timber frame companies with timber frame calc's and ancillary design certs.

Ive P'm you the names on three such specialists. Typical cost is €500-1000 for a reasonably straight forward house.

The large TF Companies no longer want to do one off private work due to the volume of work they are processing currently. A Stick build house could have savings of up to 30-40% over a kit house currently. No reason with the right professionals and construction crew on board that it cant be done to the proper standard.

A stick built house would generally be more accurate than a off site house as there is less variables all timbers are cut to fit whereas in a kit built house tolerance is designed in ie a 8.000m wall be designed in the factory as 7.990m etc.

On a final note - off-site is basically just stick built off site and then transported to site. There is very little difference in the process involved except the nailing of the the frames and plywood is automatic on an assembly line, all the timbers still need to be cut, man handled and assembled in a similar fashion as it would onsite.

I completely agree and i believe approx 30% the only problem I see is that a timberframe company will also certify the frame and structuure. Thats the reason i require an engineer. Its a standard dormer approx 2000sqft

Gumbo

dave78 wrote: »

I completely agree and i believe approx 30% the only problem I see is that a timberframe company will also certify the frame and structuure. Thats the reason i require an engineer. Its a standard dormer approx 2000sqft

Be nice to hear how you get on and if you do get an engineer to do it and at what cost if you didn't mind of course.

Best of luck with the search.

Brndn

I'm in the same situation, I want to build a stick built timberframe on site too, can you let me know if you find a good engineer? My own build is too small for the big timberframe companies to be bothered with.

Declanmc

Brndn wrote: »

I'm in the same situation, I want to build a stick built timberframe on site too, can you let me know if you find a good engineer? My own build is too small for the big timberframe companies to be bothered with.

Hi did anyone ever get anywhere with this as in the same situation. Having constructed stick built in Australia and a previous small extension here in Ireland I am looking at 2 extensions of about 100m2 to an existing property. Single storey. Thanks.

Declanmc

Hi could you PM me the details please for the Design Engineer, thanks.