Our Process

When you reach out to us, whether by phone, email or through our website, you can count on us to be back in touch quickly. Our US and Canadian clients tell us they love that about us – knowing that we’re available when questions arise, that we answer our phone and that we reply to messages and emails promptly.

Quality results begin with getting to know you and making sure that we’re a good fit for what you want to build. We’ll ask questions to get a “big picture” view: the location where you want to build, the type and style of project you’re envisioning, your preferred timeline, and the overall budget you’re contemplating. Once we understand the background of what you want, we’ll be ready to discover the design elements that will achieve your timber frame dream.

The possibilities of how timber can be used are nearly limitless. Our in-house design team has the region’s most experienced and capable designers who will help you uncover the full potential of your project. We blend backgrounds in architecture, engineering technology, and 3D rendering and share a love of beautiful and versatile timber frames, both old and modern.

Your design consultation will gather the fine details needed to capture the exact style and shape of your project. From this conversation, your designer will develop a timber frame concept that will allow you to visualize your design and provide feedback for further refinements.

Learn more about our design process

“All fine architectural values are human values, else not valuable.”
— Frank Lloyd Wright

Once a timber frame concept is ready, our Sales & Estimating team will prepare a budget for you to consider. The elegance of providing a budget is that it’s quick, provides a starting point for discussion and can help highlight opportunities for efficiency. When the budget discussion reaches a satisfactory outcome, you’ll receive a formal proposal to review and sign.

Our US customers receive the benefit of great exchange rates. In 2023 the US dollar continued to enjoy a powerful buying advantage of 31% (average) over the Canadian dollar. As an example, a $100,000 CAD timber frame purchased this year cost our US clients, on average, only $76,336 USD.

Of course, the full value of a timber frame goes beyond its initial cost or high resale values. It’s good to remember that timber frames bring visual joy. They create inviting spaces where people thrive, finding relaxation and a sense of peace. They are also amongst the most environmentally friendly ways to build, having one of the smallest carbon footprints in the building industry. And when combined with energy-efficient wall and roof envelopes, they save dollars and bring us closer to the carbon-neutral future we need.

Timber frames are amongst the most durable structures one can build. The expertise of our design team ensures that your dream home will be a legacy of quality, safety, and beauty. Detailed approval drawings are prepared for you, your builder and your home designer to review. When every detail is correct, a professional engineer will review and stamp the finalized shop drawing set.

Your custom design comes alive when Cornerstone’s state-of-the-art joinery shop receives your kiln-dried timbers from the mill. The talent of our region’s most experienced joinery carpenters combines with the latest computer technology to cut your frame with high precision and advanced joinery that until recently was impossible to achieve. When you stand inside a finished Cornerstone timberframe this quality is visible in the exceptional fit between timbers and the overall look of refinement.

When the cutting is complete, a series of quality checks are made, and the joinery team concludes their work by test-fitting and labelling your timbers.

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“Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.”
— Xenophon

With all the effort that goes into designing and cutting a quality frame, it makes sense that the last steps in our process maintain our high standard. Cornerstone was the first timber framer in the Prairies to offer pre-finishing. In the 15+ years since, our knowledge and capabilities have grown along with our commitment to low VOC stains of the highest quality. Our company owner is also our finishes expert who personally helps our clients make great colour choices. In our large, custom finishing shop your timbers will be meticulously sanded, stained, rested, and then wrapped for shipping to your site.

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The reward of patience and hard work is realized when your timber frame arrives at your building site. Our professional site crews in Canada and our raising advisors in the US are experts at assembling timber structures. With care they’ll ensure that every piece in your frame goes together correctly and precisely. Within a short time, your structure will be up, and our raising supervisor or advisor will check that every detail is correct.

Learn more about Raising Day