DIY Network

Lake Tahoe Timberframe: Introduction From "Be Your Own Contractor: Vacation Homes" episode DBCV-110

NOTE: Images on this page may be enlarged for enhanced viewing simply by clicking on them.

In each episode of DIY's Be Your Own Contractor: Vacation Homes viewers are introduced to dreamers and do-it-yourselfers who oversaw the building of their own vacation home and hear firsthand about the challenges that they faced. In this episode of we meet homeowners Paul and Lori Bergeron. They acted as their own contractors on the construction of their family vacation home on Fallen Leaf Lake in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The Bergerons discuss their decision to be their own contractors and how they wound up building a timber frame house. They also talk about the challenges they faced building their vacation home in a remote location and on a pristine lake.

Paul and Lori also share the challenges they faced in planning, coordinating and doing a lot of the work themselves on such elements as exterior siding, kitchen, floors and finish work. Finally, the couple provides advice and insights about acting as your own contractor.

advertisement

Lakefront Getaway in the Sierra Nevadas

Paul and Lori Bergeron knew they wanted to build their family vacation home on Fallen Leaf Lake near South Lake Tahoe. The local builder they wanted to use, however, was already booked a couple of years out. So, more or less by default, Paul took this situation as an opportunity to do something he had always wanted to do -- build a house himself from the ground up. He was prepared to make some mistakes and learn through the process.

Paul, a real estate contractor, knew that he could also save money by acting as his own general contractor. His wife Lori had reservations at first, since the couple live a three-and-a-half hour drive from the location, and because their family includes four young children. Eventually she overcame her initial fears, and placed her faith in Paul's abilities. "I think the reason the project worked so well for Paul and me is that we were a team." says Lori, "Paul has a lot of building experience in the past. He's built other homes. We've been married for fifteen years and like similar styles. I really believe that the key to it is allowing someone to lead the project."

The Choice to Go Timberframe

One of the challenges of building in this location was working within the context of a small community. The Bergeron's property is on the edge of a community service district that has an architectural review committee. Any new structure within their jurisdiction must meet certain guidelines. Paul's original desire was to build a hand-hewn log home. However, the committee rejected that proposal. Paul's next choice was a timberframe home. He had seen timberframe homes in log-home magazines, and was happy to give that type of design a try.

For timberframe construction, it's important to find the right manufacturer and builder. Through research, he was able to find a company two hours away. The company brought in a crane and materials, and had the basic frame of the house assembled within a week's time. They put in the base beams and also installed the SIP panels that were placed on the outside of the timber frame. SIPs -- or structural insulated panels -- are made of rigid foam between two layers of structural board. They are ideal in this cold mountain climate because of their superior insulation properties.

Another factor to contend with is the amount of snow that the area receive. At times there may be ten feet or more of snow on the ground. It's critical that the building structure and roof be adequate to bear heavy snow loads. Though the timber-framers wanted to use standard mortise-and-tenon joinery in the construction, the engineers on the project required that metal trusses and heavy bolts be used to add strength to the structure.

The Importance of Plans and Planning

A key element in the success of Paul and Lori's home was an extensive set of plans. "The plans were fairly substantial," says Paul. "We had a timberframe set, overall elevation set, grade set, electrical set, mechanical set and plumbing set." But having the plans may not be enough. It's critical, when acting as your own general contractor, that you understand them.

"There were times that I was actually surprised," says Paul, "at the number of subcontractors that really don't have a command of reading plans. If you, as acting general contractor, don't have a command of that plan set, you're going to be sunk."

In the segment that follows, the do-it-yourselfers discuss the beautiful location where the Bergerons decided to build, and some of the challenges of building on a remote lakefront location.

RESOURCES :

Timberframe : The Art and Craft of the Post-and-Beam Home
Author: Ted Benson and Jamie Salomon
Publisher: Taunton (September 15, 1999)
ISBN: 1561582816
To order this book from Amazon.com, click here.

The Timber-Frame Home
Author: Ted Benson
Publisher: Taunton; 2nd edition (March 20, 1997)
ISBN: 1561581291
To order this book from Amazon.com, click here.