billyO:

There is a huge range in costs for custom homes that are not timber framed. I find that if you get beyond tract housing, customs homes start at around $200/sf, and can easily go up to $500/sf or even higher. Yes, you pay a premium above that for timber framing, but only if you are comparing to a vanilla studs-and-drywall shell of the same size and shape. If you ask your conventional builder for vauleted ceilings, open floor plans, and lots of woodwork (which are all automatic with a timber frame), then you'll find that the premium has all but disappeared. CB.