Parts One and Two discussed what to look for when purchasing an antique timber frame building. Here are some resources to help you find one:

The Barn People. Located in Windsor, Vermont, The Barn People have been restoring and moving antique barns since 1975. They serve the entire U.S. Their inventory isn’t available online, but they do have a photo gallery with examples of their work.

Great Northern Barns. Great Northern Barns is located in Canaan, NH. Their inventory is available online, and in addition to offering antique barns, the also have some antique timber framed homes.

Vintage Log and Lumber. In addition to carrying antique barns, Vintage Log and Lumber also carries antique log cabins and other antique building materials. They have many larger barns available, in excess of 5,000 square feet, as well as small barns and other outbuildings.

Heritage Restorations. Heritage Restorations has two locations, in Waco, Texas and Windham, New York. They have a large inventory of primarily smaller antique barns available.

Renovators Resource. Renovators Resource in Halifax, Nova Scotia, often has antique post and beam churches or meeting halls available. They also carry a variety of other architectural salvage.

Historic Properties. Historic Properties has listings nationwide for many buildings that need to be moved (as well as other historic structures that are sold in excellent condition).

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In Part One we discussed some of the basic considerations of purchasing an antique timber frame building. Here are some other tips for purchasing your own.

1. Research the type of structure you want. Do you want a large multi-story barn? Or a smaller carriage house? Maybe an antique timber frame home is more your style. Research the options and see what seems most like “home” to you.
2. Realize that the further you need to transport a building, the more expensive it will be. Also take into account that larger buildings may also cost more to transport, as you may need multiple trucks to carry all of the materials.
3. Make sure to also speak with a home inspector and general contractor to find out what is going to need replacing, and get estimates for the materials and work. Even if you plan on doing most of the finish work yourself, get estimates on specialty work and actually erecting the frame.
4. Do your research – check around with a number of companies that specialize in antique timber frame disassembly and reassembly to see what they may already have available.
5. If you’re going to purchase a building that needs to be disassembled, check to see what the time frame available for doing so is going to be, and also see if you can get a home inspector in to look at the structure before purchasing.
6. If an antique structure of the size you need is cost prohibitive, consider purchasing a smaller structure and either using it as an addition on your second home or as a separate outbuilding.

Part Three will have resources for finding an antique timber frame building.

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An antique timber frame can be the basis for a unique second home. Antique frames are most often available from old barns that are being dismantled, and can vary greatly in cost, materials, size and style. Occasionally you can find antique timber framed homes available for relocation and reconstruction. Many times homes that have not yet been disassembled can be bought for very little money (sometimes as low as $1), but the buyer is responsible for disassembly, transportation to a new site, and reassembly. Generally these buildings also need to be retrofitted with updated wiring and plumbing, some structural members may need replacement, and oftentimes there is no insulation and the windows are less than efficient.

Using a professional company and purchasing a barn or home that has already been disassembled is often less of a headache than purchasing a building that needs to be moved from it’s original site (often under a restrictive time table.) If you do decide to purchase a home that has not yet been disassembled, find a reputable company in the area to do so for you.

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