Frames and trusses for owner builders
Prefabricated wall frames, roof trusses and floor systems for owner builders on the Central Coast, in Sydney and across NSW. Here's what to send, what sets the price, and how we can help with the design.
Get the design checked before you lock it in
A design can look great on paper and still be hard to build. A floating facade, a glass corner with no post, an upper floor that hangs past the wall below, or a wide opening under a heavy roof can need steel beams, extra posts and engineering that add a lot to the cost. Some can't be supported at all.
Have a good structural engineer look over your architectural plans before they're final. And send us your drawings early: we'll give you preliminary guidance on the design, what to look out for, and what's likely to be hard or expensive to frame, while it's still cheap to change.
Our guidance helps you shape the design. It doesn't replace your structural engineer's design.
Send us your drawingsNo engineering yet? We can still price it
We can quote from your architectural plans alone. The final price is set once the engineering is done, because the structural engineer decides the beam and lintel sizes, the bracing and the tie-downs, and those all move the price.
If you already have the engineer's drawings, send them with the architecturals and we'll price to them from the start.
What to send us
- Architectural plans: floor plans, elevations and sections. PDF is best.
- The structural engineer's drawings, if you have them.
- The wind rating, BAL rating and snow load, if they've been set for the site.
- The site suburb, so we can include delivery in the price.
What sets your price
We don't publish square-metre rates. Two homes the same size can price very differently, so a rate would only mislead you. Send your plans and you'll usually have a real price within 24 to 72 hours.
Roof shape
Hips, valleys, pitch and overhangs. A simple gable roof takes fewer, simpler trusses than one with lots of hips and valleys.
Spans and openings
Wide rooms and big openings need longer trusses, bigger lintels, or LVL and glulam beams.
The engineering
Beam sizes, bracing and tie-downs come from the engineer's design, which is why the final price follows it.
Wind, bushfire and snow
A higher wind rating, BAL rating or snow load can mean bigger members and more fixings.
Studs and wall heights
90 × 35 or 90 × 45, pine or LVL, and how tall the walls are.
Storeys and floors
A second storey adds a floor system, and the frames below carry more load.
How it works
Send your plans
Use the quote form, pick Owner builder, and attach the architecturals, plus the engineering if you have it.
We price it
Usually within 24 to 72 hours. If the engineering isn't done yet, the final price follows it.
You approve it
Once you approve the job, we can provide a 3D model of your frames and trusses to check before anything is made.
We make and deliver it
Made in our West Gosford plant and delivered to site with instructions, ready for your carpenter to install.
We supply, your carpenter installs
We make and supply the frames, trusses and floor systems. We don't install them. If you need a carpenter to stand them, ask us and we can refer you to carpenters we know.
Your carpenter gets instructions with the delivery, and once you approve the job the 3D model shows where every frame and truss goes.
Flooring and timber too
We also deliver yellow tongue, Hebel, ALPHAFLOOR and Scyon Secura, and framing timber for anything cut on site, so the whole structure can come in one order.
Owner builder questions
Do you supply owner builders?
Yes. We supply owner builders and renovators as well as builders, for new homes, granny flats, extensions, second storeys, garages and pergolas.
Can you quote without engineering drawings?
Yes. We can price from your architectural plans. The final price depends on the engineering, so it's confirmed once the structural engineer's drawings are done.
Do you install frames and trusses?
No, we supply only. We can refer you to carpenters who can install them.
Can you help with the design?
Yes. Send your drawings early and we'll give you preliminary guidance on what's practical to frame and what to look out for. It doesn't replace your structural engineer's design.
Why don't you list a price per square metre?
Two homes the same size can price very differently depending on the roof, the spans, the engineering and the wind, bushfire and snow ratings. Send your plans for a real price, usually within 24 to 72 hours.
What plans do I need?
Architectural plans to start with, and the structural engineer's drawings once you have them. PDF is best. Attach up to 10 files on the quote form, or email bigger sets to reception@llframeandtruss.com.au.