How much does timber house framing cost? | 2024 cost guide

If you're wondering what your options are for house framing materials, you may learn that in Australia, lightweight framed construction is the most popular type of house framing. It has the benefit of being cost-effective and flexible, with a large selection of claddings, linings and finishes to match. Steel and timber frames are the most common types of lightweight frames. 

Several factors control the cost of timber house frames in 2024. The actual cost depends on the net worth of your project, size of your house, amount of lumber used and the kind of timber chosen. It also depends on other equipment and materials used during construction. Luckily, fast construction, predesigned frameworks and ease of use reduces the project cost greatly.

As a general rule, timber framing should cost around $1300 - $1500 per square metre. To get an exact estimate of how much timber framing will cost, get several quotes from local, trusted tradespeople from Service.com.au.

If you're building your new home, you will understand that choosing your frame is an important part of the building process. This is the core of your house, so it will need to remain sturdy and stable throughout its lifetime.

Article Overview

• What is a timber frame?
• Timber house framing cost breakdown 
• Types of timber house frames
• Benefits of timber house frames
• Risks of timber house frames
• Who should I hire to build a timber house frame?
• Timber house framing FAQs

What is a Timber Frame?

Timber frames are normally built using radiata pine, but other types of dry, unseasoned timber can also be used. The reason for this is that timber with a high levels of moisture tends to warp during its lifetime as the moisture leaves its fibres. 

Timber House Framing Cost Breakdown 

As mentioned above, there are many factors that contribute to the cost of timber house framing. The timber house frame cost breakdown includes labour and materials:

• Timber house frame building labour: $40 - $120 per hour for a qualified carpenter
• Timber house framing materials: $1300 - $1500 per square metre

A timber house frame will generally save you from 10 - 20% in costs compared to a metal house frame.

Types of Timber House Frames

Timber frames may either be constructed on-site or prefabricated. On site, qualified carpenters measure, cut and assemble the timber, with the frames themselves being cheaper but higher costs associated with increased labour time. Prefabricated frames are created in a factory with precision and speed, which increases the costs of the frame but reduces the time and costs involved with labour when finalising the assembly on site after being transported.

Clearly, there are several factors to take into consideration when looking into the costs of a timber house frame for your beautiful new home. Understanding these will help you recognise what you’re getting for the price you’re paying!

Benefits of Timber Frames

There are several benefits associated with timber framing. Here are some of the pros of timber framing:

• When it comes to construction, timber frames are very efficient. Often, the frames are prefabricated and designed to assure quick assembling. This reduces the overall cost of labour.
• Timber frames can cost 10 - 20% less than steel frames.
• Sustainability is another interesting feature of timber house frames. They are environmentally friendly and can be sourced easily.
• Timber house frames also last for a very long time.

Over the past few years, timber framing has become a durable, affordable and sustainable form of construction. 

Risks of Timber House Frames

When considering timber framing, several risks with using this material should be considered alongside all of the benefits we’ve mentioned above: 

• Due to the fact that timber is not a man-made material, it can contain natural imperfections which make it potentially vulnerable to damage in these weaker spots, especially during transport and installation of the frames. 
• Damage may eventually occur from pests such as termites or from rotting, which can result in the instability of the building and the costs involved in rectifying these issues. To help reduce the risk of termite damage and a lot of money down the track, it’s highly recommended to conduct regular termite inspections for early detection.
• Timber house frames are more prone to movement than metal frames, which can lead to creaking noises or cracking of plasterboard inside the house.

Clearly, there are several factors to take into consideration when looking into the costs of a timber house frame for your beautiful new home. Understanding these will help you recognise what you’re getting for the price you’re paying!

Who to Hire to Build a Timber House Frame?

The best person to hire for your timber house framing project is a qualified carpenter. 

It’s important to hire a trustworthy business who can provide proof of qualifications, experience in building timber house frames, and references from past clients. We recommend getting quotes from several different carpentry businesses to help you determine the price range you’ll be looking at, and so you can do your research and choose the best tradie for the job. Don’t forget, you get what you pay for! Your house frame is the foundation of your home, so avoid just choosing the cheapest quote, and opt for quality at a fair price.

Timber House Framing FAQs

Which timber is best for house framing?

Timber frames are normally built using radiata pine, but other types of dry, unseasoned timber can also be used. The reason for this is that timber with a high levels of moisture tends to warp during its lifetime as the moisture leaves its fibres. 

Do I need approval for my timber house frame?

Prior to constructing your timber frame, your plans need to be submitted to your local council for approval. Depending on the work being completed, a Development Application (DA) and/or Construction Certificate may be necessary. After these have been approved, you can then organise the job with your qualified tradespeople. The approval process varies between councils, and can take between 30 - 100 days. To make sure your application is processed within the shortest time frame possible, it’s best is to have all of your documentation filled out correctly and with as much detail as possible from the beginning. Your builder, architect or building designer can also help with this process.

Further Reading:

• How Can a Carpenter Help You Make Your House More Sustainable
• How To Build A Garden Shed
• 5 Most Popular Exterior Painting Colours
• Pergola Ideas: Top Tips to Give Your Backyard a Makeover

Cost Guides:

• How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Builder? | Cost Guide
• How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost? | Cost Guide
• How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Gardener? | Cost Guide
• How Much Does a Second Storey Addition Cost? | Cost Guide

Please note that all prices mentioned are to be used as an approximate guide only and are accurate at the time of writing. These prices may differ by location and at the discretion of each business.