Wow thanks everyone for good questions and feedback. Kirkhall: I fixed the door swings thanks for that. The split closets on the left bedroom are meant to be a storage room and then the closet for the room. In my latest draft my wife and I opened the right closet to make a nook with a window out back. Less closet space upstairs but we have a ton in the basement. As for the bedroom on the right we want to do a built-in bookcase where the gap is between closets. AlexHouse: All I can say is WOW :) The feeling we are going for is more of the rock arch over the range and then the pizza oven next to it faced in the same rock so as to extend the look. We are using thin sliced stone for the walls to save money. LauraJane02: Thank you for that idea but we still need to think about the door changes for the MBR. Still not sure what will work for us. The new layout is simpler and uses the space better but we arent sure how to shift it. Still taking ideas. AM.E: I dont have any good elevations just yet BUT here is a sample I got from one TF company we asked for a estimate from. Modified Home Plans It is close to what we want except wtill working on the front proch roof line. Overall though it is the correct feeling. We are doing SIPs except the roof in the walkway we are doing stick built. And the garage will be 100% stick. As for the open areas, thats the point of doing Timber :) at least for us. We love that open yet homey feel of the timber frame with trusses. We will build in the fall/winter this year if all comes together :) Thanks again everyone!

There are books on the subject that you might want to look at. They are more expensive. They are also require giving a more thought earlier in the process to plumbing and HVAC. Hybrid homes of conventional construction with one wing or great room being timber framed are not unusual. If you go all timber frame you are a little bit more limited in terms of layout, but I don't think this is a big issue in most homes. We considered building a timber frame home, but in the end decided that the modest scale of our cabin would not take full advantage of the drama of timber framing and we went with square logs. All other things being equal, the costs would be: full timber frame > hybrid construction > all conventional (stick built). But, of course, all other things are never equal. A timber frame home with SIP panels will probably be more energy efficient and you may tend to chose less expensive moldings and trim, since a large part of the interior design is inherent in the frame and doesn't need to be added on later. You should google bensonwood, yankee barn homes, riverbend, classic post and beam. Different frame producers will provide different degrees of support in with regards to design (make sure plumbing and HVAC have been addressed), erection, and turn-key construction.

There should be a stamp on the lumber someplace indicating what grade lumber they used... But from looking at it... It looks like they use utility grade lumber which is lower-grade lumber in comparison to the #2 Douglas-fir lumber which in most cases used for framing members. The utility-grade lumber mostly being used for footing forms. That said, not that there is something wrong with it and the lumber will support needed design loads and other than the appearance there shouldn't be any issues.

Hi all, Thank you all who answered this post. I wanted to give you an update since things got real crazy for quite a while. I know when I read posts, I always want to find out the resolution. This situation is that we were buying a home from a production builder. After carefully re-reading the fine print in the contract, we realized that we didn't really have much power to force them to upholding our selections and options. We were in contract with them as a buyer and seller, not as a buyer and a builder. Any customizations and selections were totally within their legal right to follow through with or not as they chose. We could have cancelled the contract but then would have been without a home for our in laws. There was not another lot left to swap to for a do-over. We decided to forge on ahead, and actually banded together with some other neighbors on the court to keep each other on our toes in regard to preventing more major mistakes happening. We know this was the best option for us and the parents. They do not have many years(if any) left and they want to spend it living in the same neighborhood as grandkids, not waiting around for perfection. Also, since we started the process pre-covid, we would have ended up spending loads more to get less of a home further away. We did have them build three shallow steps into the house from the garage and if we need a ramp in the future, they will convert it for us. They moved in May, and their home is in the perfect spot for them at the end of the cul-de-sac. They see all the neighbors and dogs walking around the loop and there is a trail that adjoins the older and newer section of the neighborhood that comes out right past their home. Due to the trails, hills, and trees, the backyard has 180 degrees of lovely trees with no other homes in sight. This was absolutely the right move for them, it just was a LOT of headache for us. We tried to not stress them about it too much because we wanted them to actually enjoy living in the home and not have a distaste for it because of all the problems. And yes, we did have a few more minor issues. The main take-away is to carefully read the contract and then determine what is worth cancelling it over. I was not familiar with a builder selling as a seller, not as a contractor, but I realize they do this to keep things rolling and to protect their bottom line. I am sure many people would not choose this set up for themselves, but for our family this has been the right choice. Overall, the quality of the build is very good so we are not concerned about things falling apart on us. Oh wait, but there's more...DH, myself, and our 15yo son have moved in with them! We decided to relocate across the country so DH can spend time with his parents while they are still with us. They are doing great and are very active and DH golfs weekly with his dad. We have made the bonus room over the garage our little apartment and son is in one of the 2 bedrooms downstairs. The other br is a guest room/office for DH to work from home. It is tight for sure, and we have two enormous storage units with all our stuff. We are in the middle of designing our forever home and we have taken GREAT care to vet the buider for our future home so we don't run into this type of struggle again. Thanks again! Juls