oak frame specialist

Choosing oak for your new build, extension or porch is an easy decision. Choosing who is supplying and erecting it, not so simple. We’re obviously biased here at Essex Oak Frame, but we’re equally confident that by sharing our top five factors to consider when making that choice, you will understand why so many happy customers choose Essex Oak Frame.

Passion

Skilled craftsmen are invariably passionate about what they do and it’s important to find a contractor who is as invested in your project as you are, shares your vision and understands what it is you are creating. Ask them about their three favourite creations and sit back to listen to them wax lyrical about everything from the selection of the wood to the client’s reaction to the end result.   Essex Oak Frame was founded after our Managing Director, Adrian Chapman hand-built his own oak framed home in the style of a medieval hall house, using only historical construction methods. He wanted to share his passion with others and has surrounded himself with like-minded consummate professionals.

Expertise

Just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t necessarily mean you are good at it, and when you’re investing in an oak framed build, you need to know that your investment will bring a durable return. Do some research and ask questions. If you don’t understand the answers, ask the craftsman to explain. If they know their trade, they will happily explain every detail to anyone who will listen!  At Essex Oak Frame our expertise and craftsmanship are visible in every project and we’ll be happy to talk to you about as many of our projects as you would like to hear about. In the meantime, why not take a look at some of our oak construction case studies?

Previous work

There’s no better way to judge a craftsman than by his previous work. Ask to see evidence of projects, original testimonials and perhaps ask if you can speak to a few customers. Here at Essex Oak Frame, we keep a catalogue of images that show the progress of our projects and will happily share all of our customer feedback. We can talk you through your challenges, give you working examples of how we can help you overcome them, and answer as many questions as you have. We have great long-term relationships with our customers, and can put you in touch with clients who had similar builds who are happy to share their experience with you.

Turnkey

One of the things that sets Essex Oak Frame apart is our ability to off an end-to-ends solution from design to final finishing. Turnkey services are very much a personal choice which is why we offer our customers the option of leaving everything to us from design and planning right through to final snagging and landscaping or taking delivery of their bespoke manufactured in our workshops oak frame and erecting it themselves.

Make sure you check with your prospective specialist that their skillset covers every area of the project that you want them to carry out and that there will not be any issues with your project managing the bits you want to.

At Essex Oak Frame your dedicated project manager can take care of your planning application, work with building control, manage listed building consultation (if required), source materials and additional contractors on your behalf and will take care of every aspect of the construction, liaise with contractors, and ensure the project plan is running to schedule.

Sustainability    

We believe a passion for oak starts with sustainability. Check a potential company’s credentials and ask which associations they work with. Find out where and how they source their oak and what their general environmental policies and beliefs are.

Essex Oak Frame is aligned to TRADA and the Timber Framers Guild and is committed to the most sustainable methods of sourcing and working with timber. Most of our raw oak is sourced in the UK from managed woodlands or large-scale motorway clearance projects, to be aged and stored at our workshop site in Essex. We are also a preferred end-user of local woodland management schemes and will seek to sustainably coppice from local woodland close to projects. 

If you need any further advice or information about choosing who to work with on your exciting oak framed building project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.