Seasoned framing contractors who already have material suppliers can benefit from examining alternate suppliers for customer service, price and quality comparisons. The offering of new and improved products also adds appeal to periodically evaluating materials and suppliers. Residential framing contractors have to use quality supplies and have to know what they are doing.

Necessary supplies go beyond the materials needed on the job site. Education, experience and proper business management are some of the best supplies framing contractors can offer a home builder. With that foundation, the skeleton being built is guaranteed to last. Keep up-to-date on the following areas of your business:

1. Prepare yourself and your employees to work successfully as house framers.

2. Get the house framing company ready to be taken seriously.

3. Use the best materials you can afford on your residential framing jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Prepare the business with supplies to asset framer contractors

Roof framing contractors and other house framing contractors can work smoothly when their office is supplied with appropriate equipment. Seamless operation from office to on-site to finished project can be handled with software and the right paperwork created specifically for framing contractors. Software can take care of job costing and accounting, project management and material usage.

I recommend: Dexter + Chaney has created software specifically designed for construction-related companies. They offer training on the software as needed. At Contractor City you can be supplied with any type of form needed for use in your office and on the job. Tools like these can be a big asset when you bid on framing jobs through to the end of the project.

Locate supplies needed for a traditional wood home frame job

Framing a home creates the support structure for the home and keeps weather out. Wood is the most common framing material used because it is easy to use and widely available. For the best quality build, use number one grade wood or the best quality wood you can afford for the project. Wood that is full of knots or that is warped should be avoided.

I recommend: Sub par materials can create issues while building. IBACOS researches and evaluates common building materials and provides the results so you can determine the best supplies for your business. See Shelter Products for a list of materials you may or may not be currently using. Shelter Products certifies every product they recommend.

Locate quality materials for cement and steel framing contractors

Homes made of cement and steel are becoming more and more requested because of the benefit of stronger and more true materials. Concrete benefits home owners in areas affected by hurricanes and termites. It allows less air infiltration and establishes safe, solid buildings. Using steel to frame a home enhances building strength and creates the truest frame as the beams are consistently straight in comparison to wood.

I recommend: While stone and cement have been used as building materials for ages, manufacturers are coming up with ways to make building with cement easier for the builder with the same end quality. Portland Cement Association showcases some of the newest products available. Many steel buildings come pre-engineered. See BuilderState.com for suppliers of these buildings or The COOL house plans company for suppliers of steel framing materials and fasteners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Tools are another important supply your house framing company needs. Keep tools in top shape by cleaning them regularly and checking for damaged tools often. Replace broken or defective tools often to ensure safety on the job site.

Builders, architects and remodelers have a heavy responsibility in choosing house framing contractors. House framers, particularly ones chosen to build complicated architectural home frame designs, must have experience and a proven track record.

Ask for references when choosing house framing contractors. Written references with photos showing good quality work by framing contractors speak volumes. Good house framers usually bid a job complete, not “cost plus.” Cost-plus wording usually means that if they run into an unforeseen problem, extra charges apply. Good, experienced framing contractors know what price they can do the job for.

Things to consider when choosing contractors for residential framing jobs:

1: Ask for proof of liability and workman’s compensation insurance and obtain copies.

2: Hire a house framing company that has a crew that’s big enough to handle the job needed.

3: Get several different bids from framing contractors. The cheapest bid on framing jobs is not always the best.

4: Hiring additional roof framing contractors for whole-house construction is not usually necessary. Most good residential framing contractors do the roof system also.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Residential framing contractors reside nation-wide and are readily available to frame

Whether you need only roof framing contractors for remodeling jobs or house framers to do the whole system, ServiceMagic.com can help find the right crew in any location across the country.

I recommend: Find pre-screened framing contractors by describing your need.

Buy the best bid on framing jobs by comparing estimates

Make comparisons on framing job bids by looking carefully to see what is included in the bid. Most framing contractors bid labor only, assuming that the builder provides materials.

I recommend: Get four estimates to compare from a nationwide network that includes more than 20,000 qualified framing contractors at BetterFramingContractors.com.

Find answers from the Framing Contractors Association

Talk with experienced framing contractors and get your questions answered for more confidence in choosing contractors. It's a great opportunity to network.

I recommend: Contact a member by phone or email at the Framing Contractors Association members’ website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Good communication is vital in successful dealings with framing contractors. Know that they understand what you want and you can understand what they are telling you.
• •  In higher-end priced homes, many builders prefer everything to be hand-nailed rather than nailed with the more commonly used modern air-gun nailers. If you have a preference, ask upfront what nailing method the house framers use.
• •  Good, experienced residential framing contractors ask to look at the house plans. They usually also check to make sure the foundation is square and everything is level before they bid on residential framing jobs.
• •  For a remodeling job that only requires roof framing contractors, be sure to specify that you don't need a wall-system bid.

House framers play a critical part in home construction for they build the “skeleton” (walls, floors, and roof) of the home that sets the groundwork for a quality finished product. A strong attention to detail is essential during the framing process because errors in measurement, misread blueprints or poor craftsmanship results in project delays. Not correcting errors may result in windows and doors not fitting according to plan.

For these reasons, skilled framing contractors possess skills in math, blueprint reading and knowledge of the operation of hand and power tools. One can attain a career as a framing contractor by:

1. Attending a trade school

2. Completing an apprenticeship

3. Completing courses in construction management

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend a trade school to develop your framing contractors education and training experience

Trade schools provide hands on experience for those interested in a career as a framing contractor. Aside from learning house framing skills and techniques, trade schools can also provide instruction on the use of hand and power tools, blueprint reading, cost estimating and how to bid on framing jobs.

I recommend: Review the Carpentry Schools Directory to locate a building construction or carpentry school in your area. Some schools, such as Triangle Tech, offer an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree for individuals completing their program.

Apply for an apprenticeship with participating residential framing contractors

Apprenticeships provide individuals interested in a career in the carpentry/construction field the opportunity to learn the necessary skills by working alongside experienced house framing contractors in the field while also obtaining education in the classroom. Advantages to serving as an apprentice include receiving an income during your training process and developing contacts that can lead to employment by house or roof framing contractors upon program completion.

I recommend: Refer to Career Voyages and obtain information regarding apprenticeships in your area. The National Association of Women in Construction identifies apprenticeship programs offered by framer contractors specifically designated for women.

Get an industry-recognized certification in house framing

The National Center for Construction Education and Research offers courses and exams leading to an industry-recognized certificate in wall framing, roof framing and other carpentry skills.

I recommend: The NCERR Level 1 carpentry training covers wall and roof framing basics and the Level 2 Framing and Finishing Trainee Guide gets into the finer points. 

Brush up on framing contractor's skills with the right books

Study at your own pace with how-to manuals for roof framing contractors.

I recommend: Taunton's For Pros by Pros series includes books on framing. Try the Roof Framer's Bible for detailed instructions on how to handle challenging roof framing jobs.

Expand your knowledge for residential framing jobs by completing construction management courses

Construction managers act as a coordinator during the construction process. Some of their specific jobs include supervising the progress of workers adjusting the number of workers onsite as necessary, ensuring workers follow established safety regulations and practices, ordering materials and acting as a liaison between the company office and government inspectors.

I recommend: World Wide Learn offers individuals an online construction management degree while the Turnkey Construction Management Institute offers both an online and classroom curriculum.

Framing contractors are contractors who specialize in framing both residential and commercial buildings. The framing is literally the backbone of the building, so it is imperative that the framing contractor is both qualified and skilled in his profession. Failure to frame properly adversely affects the integrity of the building which could result in the building's collapse.

Below are some key words to consider when hiring framing contractors. It should help you know what to look for as well as what questions to ask.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Insurance

One of the first questions to ask framing contractors is whether or not they are insured. This protects your company should something happen to the building as well as protect the framer himself. Keep a copy of the framing contractor's certificate of insurance on hand for the duration of the job. In some states, a framing contractor needs to be licensed. Ask for a copy of the licensee as well.

I recommend: Companies like Service Magic list contractors, framing contractors included, that have been pre-screened, meaning they are listed as having insurance and licenses. Cool Insuring Agency offers insurance for all contractors, including framing contractors as well.

References

Another important step when considering framing contractors is asking for references. It is important to determine the work the framing contractor is capable of doing, how other clients have found him or her, whether or not he does his work in a timely fashion, and more. You can also view the framing contractor's previous work.

I recommend: Oregon Framing Contractors gives good tips on what to ask for for references from framing contractors (#2). Follow these steps in your own state.

Wood framing

A type of framing found most often is wood framing, or framing with wood rather than some other material. As the building code may vary from state to state, the framing contractor must be familiar with the building codes in the area in which the contraction takes place.

I recommend: Info for Building details wood framing information for you to review.

Cold-formed steel framing

Cold-formed steel framing refers to framing with steel. This is something commercial framing contractors specialize in, though the numbers of residential buildings that utilize cold-formed steel framing in their construction are increasing. These contractors, like residential framing contractors, must also abide by the regulations regarding commercial construction.

I recommend: Cemco Steel has a very good section on cold-formed steel framing.

Timber framing

Timber framing refers to a type of framing that is, according to one framing contractor, a 'specialized version of post and beam that is built like furniture, using mortise and tenon joinery, held in place with wooden pegs'. Framing contractors use timber framing for not just barns, but residential and commercial buildings as well.

I recommend: Northern Lights Timber Framing is an excellent resource, for it defines timber framing.

Frame with ECO-block

ECO-Block is a combination of high-density plastic and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Framing contractors make use of these blocks when framing, and it is a system that may well replace framing with wood. Framing with ECO-block is considered greener, has higher R value that conventional framing as well as requires less labor to construct.

I recommend: The ECO-Block site offers a cross-section of the process. It is very informative as well as interesting.