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What Does ‘Stick Built’ Mean and Why Does it Matter?

By Rick Jarvis

A common sight in many subdivisions is a crane lifting trusses onto a home to form the basis for the roof system.

Stick building is a more traditional way of framing a home.  Most small or custom builders use this as their preferred manner of constructing their homes since they tend to build homes that are unique.  Roofs, floor trusses and all framing is, in effect, created on site from individual pieces of lumber.  Problems, when encountered, can be solved more easily with stick building than it can with ‘engineered.’  There is also a perception within the industry as well as in the public’s mind that stick built homes have a higher degree of quality and the framing crews and carpenters that stick build homes in the field are more skilled than their ‘engineered’ counterparts.

This is not always the case.

Engineered lumber is simply lumber that is pre cut in batches at the factory level and delivered to the site for builders that tend to build large numbers of the same plan.  Additionally, engineered lumber can also come pre-assembled into floor systems and/or roof trusses.  Once again, for builders that tend to repeat the same floor plan, having trusses made on a factory floor to specific shapes and sizes and delivered to the job site, this can create a savings in terms of both time and money.  It is also less wasteful, which is a good thing.

A roof truss will save time and money but typically means attic space is sacrificed.

In reality, both techniques, when applied correctly, can be considered best practices and it has become quite prevalent for some degree of each technique to be employed by builders.  Even the small and custom builders recognize that floor systems and to some degree, roof trusses, can be used even for the most custom homes.  Setting roof trusses and floor systems can offer days (or sometimes even weeks) in time savings.  If the plans are designed with these efficiencies in mind, then the builder can still create a custom and stick built home yet take advantage of the savings offered by engineered lumber.

Neither one is right or wrong…it just depends on the type of home and the capabilities of your builder.


Other Articles on New Home Values

  • Examining the Dollar Per Foot Metric
  • Beware the 'Unique and Expensive'
  • What Does the Lot Offer?
  • The Popular Plans
  • What Does it Cost to Build a Home?
  • Hardwood Floors
  • Aging in Place
  • HOA/POA or Civic Association? Does it Matter?
  • Builder Warranties - Mandatory or Elective?
  • Track Versus Custom Builders
  • Which Comes First? The Purchase or the Sale?
  • EarthCraft Homes and Appraisals...Friends or Foes?
  • Lot Pricing in the Metro
  • Grey Oaks and Nuckols Road
  • Look at Models
  • Bad Lots
  • Investments versus Expenses

Other Articles on New Home Materials

  • What is a Single Hung Window versus a Double Hung?
  • A Return to Authenticity

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Filed Under: Insider Perspective, Materials, Values Tagged With: Materials, Value

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I love new homes...always have. In my 20+ years in real estate, I feel lucky to have seen nearly every aspect of the building business close up. From design and permitting to development and finance, I have been involved in every facet of the new construction process. If you are considering building a new home, don’t go it alone. Spend a moment on our blogs to understand the depth of our knowledge about Richmond's new home market.
sarah@richmondvamls.net

Some of Our Thoughts

Grey Oaks and Nuckols Road

By Rick Jarvis

Right now, there is no doubt that the Nuckols Road corridor is the healthiest sub-market in the Metro.  Home prices are arguably back to 2007 levels (compared to many other segments still well below 2007 pricing) and trending higher.  It is also one of the only segments of the market that has an inventory count […]

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