Border Oak Design & Construction

We focus upon creative design, craftsmanship, sustainability, innovation and customer service - offering an unrivalled variety of construction packages, including 'frame only' contracts and fully project managed and fixed price 'turnkey' services. Our Custom Build service will provide you with a complete design & construction package, project managed by Border Oak using our own labour and materials, all for a fixed price. Our knowledge and experience is unrivalled and we have pioneered the self build industry for more than 4 decades.

All of our designs are bespoke, created by our talented 'in house' architectural design team. This enables us to approach each project with sensitivity, individuality and flexibility. Our aim is to design a building that encapsulates all of your wishes - and achieves a successful planning application - whilst meeting and exceeding all industry standards for a price you are comfortable with. We strive to design buildings that are beautiful, sustainable and exciting - guiding you towards possible details and features - using our world renowned experience of both design and construction to deliver exceptional structures.

All of our gazebos, outdoor shelters and porches are available as self build kits and sometimes as total build packages, depending on the specifics of the project. Our oak framed garden structures are given the same care and attention as every other Border Oak frame and building. We've undertaken a diverse range of projects, such as a (very) large pergola in Guernsey, a poolside BBQ shelter, and many gazebos, potting sheds and garden studios and offices. We are experienced at working with Landscape Architects, Designers and Contractors or indeed directly for the client.

We often receive enquiries for completed Border Oak homes - from people who would love to live in a Border Oak home built to our exacting standards and our renowned level of finish - but are not so keen on building themselves. Due to popular demand we are now pleased to be able to provide an exclusive and small selection of both completely finished properties and also partially completed 'Custom Finish' properties in wonderful locations in North Herefordshire villages. Our Custom Finish properties allow the purchaser choices with regard to some of the internal finishes, such as kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and decoration (in other words the 'fun' bits!)

Border Oak design and manufacture beautiful oak framed outbuildings using the finest natural materials and exceptional craftsmanship. We can provide a planning design service with project management, complete manufacturing packages and a full build service. Alternatively our buildings are available as pre-fabricated Self Assembly Kits. Our Classic Range of outbuildings is a collection of adaptable oak framed structures - pre designed and engineered within certain layouts and dimensions. The Classic Range is complemented by our completely Bespoke Design Range.

Designed by Merry's father, John Greene, our original porch designwas inspired by the lych gate of the church where the (then!) young couple had married. With its trademark curved tiebeam, bullnosed wallplatesand mullioned side pieces it proved so popular (across the world!)that we decided it would work perfectly as a Self Assembly Kit - and sothe Border Oak Porch was born. Forming the perfect entrance to almost any house, it provides shelter as well as architectural interest. There are now a wide range of additional porch kits available - each bearing the same Border Oak trademark of craftsmanship and quality.

Using our unrivalled knowledge & experience, garnered over many decades, we can provide concept design schemes, detailed cost analysis, presentation materials and planning drawings at the beginning of your project. As the project progresses, we can offer a broad range of practical services, including engineering & technical working drawings, frame manufacture, total construction packages, interior design, procurement and project management - all for a fixed price. Our aim is to achieve the very best from concept to completion; beautiful craftsman made buildings delivered on time and to budget.

We are renowned for the quality of our oak frames, considered design and the ability to undertake a project from start to finish. With a dedicated in house design team and workshop (with decades of experience) that specialise in our Outbuildings, we are able to take projects through planning, Building Regulations and then the building works. With this approach, each project receives the attention to detail required to deliver an excellent product and a service that meets your individual requirements.

The planning process may appear daunting - a confusing world of forms, procedures, terminology, policies, committee meetings, delays, frustration and false starts. However, Border Oak has extensive planning experience across the UK and we pride ourselves on our highly successful track record. We would be delighted to assist your project through the planning journey, or work alongside your chosen architect or planning consultant to secure a positive outcome. Ideally, your plot will have either Full or Outline Approval before you complete the purchase.

Border Oak offer a wide variety of construction packages - from the supply & erection of the oak frame and partner panel system, to a full 'turnkey', complete build contract. We have our own construction labour - as well as additional specialist trades, suppliers and prefered partners - to help take your project from concept to completion. We also have our own team of project managers, quantity surveyors, procurement team, finance department and support staff to help deliver, on time and to budget.

We are incredibly fortunate to have a large team of experienced green oak carpenters - traditionally trained and true craftsmen. Every oak frame we produce is made by hand, using artisan medieval based carpentry skills, from only the finest Restoration Grade green oak. Our carpenters are experienced and knowledgeable craftsmen and we are very proud of the care, attention and creativity that is lavished on every frame - large or small. Our carpentry team are also qualified Timber Graders. This enables them to professionally check each piece of oak that is delivered from our suppliers and to uphold our very high standards - our view is that there is no point hand crafting a substandard beam.

Border Oak have a long and widely acknowledged reputation as industry leaders and innovators. We have pioneered major advances in both the construction and self build market - transforming the process and enhancing what is achievable, accessible and available. Border Oak invented the much imitated Oak Frame Infill Panel (ours was the first and only to be TRADA and NHBC assessed and approved). Many have tried to copy our high performance panel, and yet it remains the best available. It has been adopted as 'Best Practice' by the National House Building Council (NHBC), and remains the ultimate method to make an exposed oak frame waterproof and thermal whilst also allowing for the natural movement of the oak frame.

Over the passing decades we have pioneered the revival of oak framing; introducing and mastering many new construction concepts, processes and designs along the way. We have gradually and organically built a brand that is instantly recognisable and known for its craftsmanship, quality and innovation. John was working as a Commercial & Agricultural Surveyor - selling steel framed barns to farmers - and one of his clients was about to knock down an old cruck framed timber barn to replace it with a shiny new building.

We have been fortunate enough to work with a wide range of independent architects, architectural designers and main contractors over the years - supplying a diverse range of bespoke oak frames to help realise their vision and provide added value and support as the oak frame specialist. Our specialism is oak framing; and we are able to meet both contemporary and tradtional design briefs, but as a construction company we also fully understand the complete process and how important it is to take responsibility for how the oak frame will work within the entire project and deliver the best end result.

We would be delighted to meet you at our offices to discuss your proposals in more detail, and to show you our portfolios of past projects. We can also guide you around our workshops if you'd like to see the frames being made. A typical initial meeting can cover a range of questions - budgets, timescales, planning matters and the self-build process. If you have a plot with planning approval we would be delighted to look at your plans and to provide an appraisal, initial cost estimate and visual resources to demonstrate how we might be able to help.