07/09/2026
Three questions come up at every single show we do. Here are the honest answers.
1. How much does a timber frame cost?
It depends, which is an annoying answer, so here's something more useful. Total build costs run anywhere from around £1,500 per square metre at the modest end up to £4,000 or £5,000 for a high specification. Multiply your total floor area by a figure in that range and you've got a rough starting point. It won't be accurate, but it will tell you very quickly whether your aspiration and your budget are in the same room. There's a cost calculator on our website if you want to play with the numbers.
1. Do I need an architect?
Not necessarily. If you want something architecturally ambitious, pushing materials and form, an architect is absolutely the right call. But plenty of people want a well-proportioned, efficient home and already know roughly what it looks like. In-house design teams handle that well and at lower cost. What matters more than the job title is the quality of the individual designer.
1. Can I get a mortgage for a timber frame self-build?
Yes. High street lenders may make it sound complicated because they aren't geared up for self-build. Specialist providers have hundreds of lenders on their panels with products built for exactly this, released in stages as the build progresses. Start those conversations early, and know that the formal agreement usually waits on planning permission.
Got a fourth question? Put it in the comments. We answer every single one.
Build It Live South West, 12 & 13 September, Westpoint Arena, Exeter.
Get your tickets here https://builditlive.co.uk/exhib-free-ticket-offer-sw26/
