Prefab and Custom Home Design FAQ

PREFAB AND CUSTOM TIMBER FRAME HOME DESIGN FAQ

What is Purcell’s main product and service?

Purcell specializes in the design and prefabrication of custom homes tailored to mountain, lake, and rural properties across North America. We offer two flexible paths: fully custom design from scratch, or modification of one of our many prefab catalog home designs. All homes are engineered for your site and delivered as panelized packages — including structural walls, floors, roofs, and optional windows and doors — for efficient on-site installation and long-term energy performance.

What are the best home designs for building on a sloped or mountain lot?

Homes designed for sloped or mountain lots often include stepped foundations, walk-out basements, and cantilevered sections to take advantage of the terrain and views. Key architectural styles include alpine contemporary, timber-accented modern, and west coast designs.

How do you design for floodplain or waterfront setback restrictions?

Designing for floodplain or waterfront areas requires elevated structures, pier or piling foundations, and adherence to local setback codes. Proper site planning ensures safety while maximizing views and usable outdoor space.

What is cantilevering in home design and when is it needed?

Cantilevering is a technique where part of the home extends beyond its foundation without support directly underneath. It’s often used to deal with steep terrain, achieve modern architectural aesthetics, or meet environmental and zoning restrictions.

Do I need a building permit before ordering a prefabricated home?

Yes. In most regions, you’ll need an approved building permit before construction or delivery of a prefabricated or customized timber frame home can begin. Permit requirements vary by location, but they typically include detailed drawings that demonstrate compliance with local building codes. At Purcell, we include permit-ready drawings as part of our design service. Whether you’re starting from one of our catalog plans or creating a custom home, we prepare the documentation needed for a smooth permit submission to your local authority.

Where can customized prefabricated homes be delivered?

Customized prefabricated homes can typically be delivered anywhere accessible by road, ferry, or barge. Remote, island, and mountain locations are common delivery zones with proper planning. Purcell delivers and installs anywhere in Canada, the USA and most places worldwide.

How is a customized prefab home with architectural timber details different from a modular or timber frame home?

Unlike modular homes, customized prefabricated homes with architectural timber details are fully tailored to the client’s site and lifestyle. Timber element such as exposed beams or trusses are used selectively for architectural style and structure, without committing to full traditional timber framing.

Can I get a modern prefab home with architectural timber details instead of a full timber frame?

Yes. Many modern prefabricated homes incorporate timber features like beams or posts for design impact and warmth, without the cost or environmental load of full timber construction.

Are customized timber frame homes energy efficient?

Yes. When designed with performance in mind, customized timber frame homes achieve excellent energy ratings. High R-value insulation, air tight construction, and passive solar orientation are key factors. Q: What are the advantages of a customized prefabricated home? Customized prefabricated homes offer faster build times, reduced waste, and better quality control. They can be fully tailored in terms of layout, style, and materials, while still benefiting from factory precision and on-site efficiency.

Can I see examples of customized timber or prefabricated homes?

Yes. At Purcell, we’ve designed and built a wide range of customized prefabricated homes featuring exposed timber elements and architectural timber details including alpine homes, mountain modern, coastal cottages, and rural retreats. You can view examples in our project gallery and on our Instagram page, where we regularly share finished photos of our homes. If you’re looking for inspiration based on your location or design preferences, we’d be happy to share similar examples from our catalog or recent builds.

Is a timber frame home more expensive than a conventional build?

A timber frame home can have a higher upfront cost than a conventional stick-framed home, largely due to the use of premium materials and skilled craftsmanship involved in exposed beam construction. However, many homeowners view this as an investment in long-term value, aesthetics, and durability. At Purcell, we offer both full timber frame and hybrid prefabricated homes with architectural timber details, which can achieve the visual appeal of a timber frame while helping to manage budget and construction timelines. The final cost will depend on the level of timber detailing, design complexity, and finishes chosen.

What are the advantages of a pre-crafted timber frame home?

Pre-crafted (or prefabricated) timber frame homes offer several advantages over traditional on-site builds:

– Speed: Components are built in a controlled environment and delivered ready for quick assembly.
– Precision: Factory construction ensures consistent quality and tighter tolerances.
– Less Waste: Material use is optimized, reducing environmental impact.
– Design Control: Prefabrication doesn’t limit customization — especially with panelized systems and exposed timber elements.
– Weather Protection: Shorter on-site build times reduce exposure to the elements, minimizing delays.

Purcell’s pre-crafted homes combine these benefits with a high level of architectural design and site-specific engineering — giving homeowners a home that’s both beautiful and built to perform.

Are prefabricated homes suitable for heavy snow loads and mountain climates?

Yes. High-quality prefabricated homes can be specifically engineered to handle the demands of mountain environments — including steep slopes, extreme cold, and heavy snow loads. With the right structural design, these homes can exceed local building code requirements for snow-bearing capacity and wind resistance. At Purcell, this is one of our specialties. Every home we build is custom-engineered to suit the climate and terrain, whether it’s a ski town, backcountry property, or alpine ridge. We design for site-specific snow loads and structural demands, ensuring long-term performance and safety in rugged mountain conditions.

Can a prefabricated timber frame home be designed for solar power and off-grid living?

Yes. A prefabricated timber frame home can absolutely be designed for off-grid living and solar power. With proper planning, these homes can integrate solar panels, battery storage systems, passive solar orientation, and other energy-efficient features to reduce or eliminate reliance on grid utilities. At Purcell, this is a core part of what we do. Our custom prefabricated homes are engineered for the site from the start, allowing us to optimize energy performance — whether you’re building on a remote mountain property or simply aiming for greater energy independence. We design and fabricate panelized wall and roof systems that support off-grid infrastructure while maintaining high levels of insulation, airtightness, and long-term durability.