Framing Serices New Orleans FAQ

As New Orlean’s top framing contractor we get a lot of different questions about what we do, the role itself, and how we can help homeowners. This article is intended to help answer many of those questions regarding framing so that our customers can have a better understanding of the work being performed on their property.

Q: Is a framer the same as a carpenter? 

A framer is a type of carpenter but not all carpenters are framers. A framer is solely focused on assembling the structure of studs, sills, and headers that form the “frame” of a building. A framer usually is responsible for the joists for the floor, all weight-bearing beams, and any trusses to support the roof. They are responsible for creating and stabilizing the structure of the home and their expertise can have a huge impact on the quality of a project. 

Q: How long does it take to frame a house? 

The length of time needed to frame a house will vary as not all houses are the same. However we usually see a home framed in 5-8 weeks. More complicated designs for homes can make a project last longer or cost more. (1) One of the things that absolutely helps the framing to run smoothly is a well laid foundation and enough space for the framing team to move within segments of the house uninterrupted. 

Q: Is framing the most expensive part of building a home? 

In terms of material cost - framing is usually the most expensive part of building a home (beyond some specific niche requests). With the volatile price of wood, framing has gotten even more expensive of late. Because the materials are so expensive, this is one of the areas with the greatest opportunity for savings. Eagle Construction self performs this trade, allowing us to pass along savings to our customers when they are often needing it most. And because we have several framing specialists on staff, we are able to rapidly execute even the most complicated framing assignments. 

Q: What are some of the easiest ways to save money when building a home? 

There are a lot of ways to save money when building a home. Going with a stock design and minimizing change orders will go a long way towards getting your house finished on time. If you have trouble with those two suggestions then the next bet is to find a contractor self-performing the work. The advantage for you is two-fold: (1) they can often offer lower labor costs than anyone in the market and (2) when you do have a change order or a design change they can price out the job quickly instead of needing to pass it along a communication channel to their subcontractor so that you have accurate estimates faster.

By minimizing the changes and working with a contractor with built in flexibility in their company structure you can get the quality you want without as many rampant delays. 

Q: What is included in the framing of a house?

When you hire a framing contractor usually the entirety of the framing process will be included in the build. This includes the horizontal and vertical studs that your drywall and covering materials to hang from. The framing contractor should also include, of course, the beams needed for creating the floor and roof of the house. There are a lot of details to keep in mind for framing a house and hiring a great framing contractor can greatly reduce the number of issues later on in the project.