Answers
How long has Normerica been in business?
We started in business in 1979 as Upper Canada Post & Beam. Since then we have provided thousands of Timber Frame buildings from simple cabins to 50,000 sq.ft. lodges.
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How long will I wait from the time I place my order until I take delivery?
Eleven to twenty one weeks, depending on client response time in resolving design issues or permit approvals. However, prime building season deliveries are sometimes booked up many months in advance. From the point of selecting a design, to moving into your new home could take as little as four months to as much as nine months.
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Who is responsible for delivery of my material package?
Normerica makes all necessary arrangements for shipping of materials to your site. The cost of transportation is additional to our base price but is included in your personalized quotation based on the destination.
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Who can build my new Normerica timber frame home?
Any capable contractor can build your entire Normerica Timber Frame home. Our package of pre-cut timber frame, prefabricated wall and roof panels and other random length materials will arrive at your site ready for easy assembly. Always included in our package is the assistance of a Normerica technical representative who will aid your contractor in the initial stages of construction. Alternately, if you live in the area serviced by Normerica or one of our Authorized Distributors or Builders, we will be happy to assemble the material package we supply or supply complete construction services.
Normerica also has an in house "Construction Management Team" who can oversee the entire building process... from the development of site servicing plans and permit applications through to the final finishes of your home and exterior landscaping; or any portion of that work you want!
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What type of foundation do I need?
No special foundation is required. Many Normerica homes are built on a full poured-concrete or insulated concrete form (ICF) walls. However, if a full basement is not needed, crawl space basements or concrete piers may be used to save costs.
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How long does it take to erect a Normerica timber frame material package?
Depending on the size of the house and site conditions, assembly of the materials package will take anywhere from a few days for a sleeping cabin to three to six weeks for an average house. The timber frame itself can usually be erected in one to ten days depending on the size and complexity.
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What flexibility do I have to make changes to your brochure models?
We at Normerica believe that all clients should be allowed to make changes to our designs or create a design of their own. We are happy to work with you or your architect to help develop a home that reflects the way your family lives. The flexibility of our timber frame homes is endless. Some Ideas include:
• Change the dimensions of the building in increments of 2 feet
• Add shed or gable dormers
• Change the style or quantity of windows, including the addition of walkout basement windows
• Add entry or screened porches, sun rooms, or garages
• Change the roofing, siding or exterior trim
• Add interior or exterior architectural details such as heavy timber gable trusses, cupolas, or extended eave treatments
• Reverse (mirror) the entire plan to better suit your lot
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Can I add on additional living space later?
Yes you can. We have "add-on" designs that can be adapted to any of our homes. Remember that timber frame construction allows any exterior walls between the posts to be easily removed, making way for outside doors or complete additions.
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Can I build my Normerica home anywhere?
Yes. We have our beautiful homes throughout North America and overseas in countries such as the England, Ireland, Holland, Sweden, Estonia, Japan, Korea, Germany, Turkey and Spain.
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Do you do commercial projects?
Absolutely. This is a specialty of Normerica... from golf course clubhouses in such places as Minnesota, South Carolina, New York, British Columbia and Argentina to ski lodges in Colorado, California, Ontario and Alberta. We have been responsible for the structural engineering, manufacture and even the construction of these fabulous structures. We have also provided multi-unit lodges and residential housing utilizing both our Timber Frame and economical Panels-Plus systems.
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What is the cost of building a Normerica Authentic Timber Frame home?
First of all, remember there will be three elements to the total cost of building your home:
1. Land, Interest Carry and Legal Cost
2. Site and Servicing Cost
3. Construction Cost
1. Land, Interest Carry and Legal Cost: This is straight forward. However, if the land is serviced with municipal water, sewers, hydro and gas, then the cost of Site and Servicing (see 2.) will be less.
2. Site and Servicing Cost: Site Servicing includes connection fees, permits, development fees or levies, primary electrical service to building, sanitary and water systems, driveway and landscaping.
3. Construction Cost: Variances on costs will occur due to the intended home location, availability and cost of skilled labour, taxes, design of your home and the price range of selected features of your Normerica home package and other materials. The Construction Cost includes such costs as foundation, timber frame package, labour, electrical, plumbing, heating, cabinets, drywall, painting, floor and wall finishes.
The "Construction Cost" to build and finish a Normerica home will usually be in the range of $225 to $300 per square foot. The Normerica Shell and Finishing Package will often represent 40% to 33% of the "Construction Cost".
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What causes the large range in Construction Costs and Cost per square foot of living area?
* The geographic location, site conditions and remoteness of the location will effect taxes, labour rates and shipping cost.
* Features of the home such as sacrificing square footage to achieve large soaring cathedral ceilings; quality and quantity of windows, type of foundation, heating system choice, mouldings, doors, cabinets and complexity of the design.
* The size of home. Smaller is not always less expensive per square foot than a larger perhaps more efficient building.
* Amenities outside the living area such as decks, covered porches and a garage will affect the cost per square foot of the living area.
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