here is a quote from Rudy Christian, in a reply to one of my questions:
"For years we have been using a per board foot basis for estimating frame costs and it works well for us. Our feeling is we are timber framers so we base our price on how much timber we frame. Depending on job size, timber species and complexity of joinery we use $7-9/BF (US). I don't know how well that works in your situation but it would at least give you a WAG at the cost for framing."
since Rudy made this suggestion, I have always checked the BF (board footage, one board foot =1in x 1ft x 1ft) on a frame estimate, along with square footage of the floor area($40-$75 Canadian dollars for us) and the anticipated joinery complexity. For a sip price, find your local rep and get the real figure.
don't get cold feet now.....