FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How would I ask questions about YEA-FRAME? It's easy, you're welcome to use the "Contact" form.
What is included in the Plan kit?
• Building Plans - Showing elevations, with the gable ends including sample door & window schedules only, since these are owner specific to their own interior layout design. The door and window schedules provided are for the 2-bed, 2-bath floor plan.
• Assembly Manual Videos for the Exterior Shell, plus if optional floor plans for model #2436 are purchased, interior wall layout videos are included.
• Materials list - A list of materials (Some may be special order items, so coordinate with your local lumber yard as to availability.) to build the exterior shell, less doors and windows (owner specific).
• An official unique Build Identification Number (B.I.N.) certificate.
How & when are products delivered? Immediately upon a "Confirmed" transaction, a sufficient amount of file downloads will be available for the product(s) ordered. You will be given a thirty (30) day period in which to download. For your convenience, all downloadable PDF files (including 1/4"=1' scaled plans and a materials list) will be able to be printed on standard 8.5" x 11" letter (ANSI) size paper.
Upon a "Confirmed" order, an email will be sent to the registered email address within ten (10) days with instructions on how to view the restricted assembly videos (only these videos will show the required technical information needed for assembly). Do understand that the further along the prototype is built, more videos (both public and restricted) will become available.
An official unique Build Identification Number (B.I.N.) certificate, will be sent to your registered email address within two hundred (200) days.
To check the status of your order, or to download files, please visit the "Orders" page atop of the site.
(All days noted above, will begin from the first day after the day in which the order has been "Confirmed".)
Can you please explain the different payment methods and statuses of orders? Credit Card, Bank Transfer, Check/Money Order, or Cryptocurrency. See below for order statuses.
"Confirmed" = Paid, payment has cleared.
"Pending" = Payment received, although funds have yet to become available.
"Unpaid" = Product has been ordered, yet payment has not been received.
"Failed" = There was a failure in the payment method.
"Cancelled" = The payment was cancelled.
Why are products not being offered prior to building the prototype? At this time (7/16/20), construction has taken precedence, while plans and materials lists are constantly being updated. Due to limited Assembly videos (Footage is being taken regularly), products are currently not available for purchase. Please stay tuned for progress. Thank you for your patience.
Are foundation plans included? General Monolithic slab plans have been included for rough references only, consult with your local Building department and/or soils engineer to see if changes in the plan are necessary. Due to many variables such as locations, soils, and foundation preferences, other foundation plans have not been included, YEA-FRAME is meant to be built over the framing of your crawlspace, pier/post and beam, full basement, or a slab foundation. Keep in mind that if you plan on insulating/stucco/cultured stone the outside of the foundation, the finished outside width of the 1st floor bottom plates shall be 24'-0", the finished length needs to be 24'-0" or 36'-0" (depending on which model was purchased). Depending upon the depth of your insulation/stucco/cultured stone, double sill plates/double rim joists/blocking and/or cantilevered joists beyond the sill plate may be necessary to overhang the foundation. Be certain to include a good foundation drainage system for any foundation.
How thick should my basement walls be for a full basement foundation? A general rule for a full basement foundation would be for basement walls 8' tall or less having 7' of soil against them should be 8" thick of 3,500 psi concrete. 8'-10' tall walls require the foundation to be 10" thick, however, due to many variables, check with your local building department and/or soils engineer for your specific site, regarding the frost line, thickness, steel reinforcement, P.S.I., etc..
What about post/piers and beam as a foundation option? It is an option (especially if building off-grid), however, don’t believe this foundation type will save you money, by the time the numerous proper hangers are purchased, the floor is insulated and metal lath has been stapled underneath for critter protection, the costs start adding up quickly!
What about 1st floor deck framing, if not building on a slab? Besides being designed to be built upon a slab, YEA-FRAME has also been designed to sit atop your 1st floor deck framing/subflooring (It is your responsibility to properly secure bottom plates to your framing/subflooring for YEA-FRAME to sit upon, as it is to secure strap all of your framing/subflooring connections). Due to many variables, a floor framing layout is not included, however 2x8 (minimum) or 2x10 joists @12" On Center, decked with 3/4" T&G subflooring is required. If you need help with your floor deck framing, many quality books and/or websites can describe how to frame your floor. One recommended book that can assist you with this, along with many other framing aspects of your build is:
Guertin, M. & Arnold, R. 2001, Precision Framing, The Taunton Press, Newton, CT. (Paperback or EBook).
(I do not receive any compensation if you purchase this book, this resource is provided solely to better assist you with your build.)
Is a Site plan included? Site plans are specific to the property in which you plan on building, therefore it is not included. Site plans show things such as setbacks, building footprints, septic, well, landscaping, driveway, walkways and utilities. A site plan will most likely need to be submitted to your local jurisdiction for building approval.
Can YEA-FRAME really be built with only 2 people? Two capable people with carpentry skills can build the YEA-FRAME, though less skilled homeowner’s may prefer to hire a quality local framing crew to quickly build the shell. When hiring a crew, it is highly suggested to obtain multiple quotes and check all references.
What about safety on the construction site? YEA-FRAME is as safe (or as dangerous) to build as any other structure. While building, health and safety must be absolutely paramount. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure their own safety through such means including, but not limited to: wearing protection gear (such as sunscreen, eye, ear, foot, knee, head, harness, etc.), lifting correctly and remaining sober while working. Keep work areas clean and orderly and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Use equipment/tools (that are in proper working order) in the way that they are designed. Also, be sure to use safe building techniques to prevent slips, trips and falls. Please visit Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) "Fall Prevention Campaign" to learn more about how you can improve safety on the job site. Peruse the many other links within their site that can further assist with the crew's safety. Regularly take a minute to discuss safety openly with fellow crew, it may just save someone's life!
The square footage for Model #2436 is +/- 927 Square Feet, what would it be for Model #2424? Depending upon the jurisdiction which it is measured in, it would be approximately 618 Square Feet.
How is square footage measured? With an angled ceiling, all measurements are made at 5'-0" finished ceiling, times the length of the building (24' or 36'). Any part of a room with a ceiling height less than 5' shall not count towards habitable square footage.
What is the layout of the optional floor plans for Model #2436? The first floor contains the master bedroom with an En-suite bath and two closets (one walk-in), a kitchen (with a small dining table or counter and chairs), utility closet, desk and storage. The second floor contains the V.I.P. bedroom, family room and guest bath. See the "Products" page for floor plan details.
What if I want to build a 3-Bed, 1-Bath, instead of the optional 2-Bed, 2-Bath floor plan with Model #2436? Alternate floor plans (without plumbing, electrical receptacles, or specific interior wall layout videos) are included with the floor plan purchase for a 3-Bed, 1-Bath, or a 2-Bed, 1-Bath.
What about having a Guest apartment on the second floor or making the YEA-FRAME a Multi-family? Alternate floor plans (without plumbing, electrical receptacles, or specific interior wall layout videos) are included with the optional floor plan purchase that show potential various floor layouts that could meet your needs.
What if I desire a full basement for Model #2436? Interior 2-Bed, 2-Bath optional floor plans have been designed for foundations such as a crawlspace or slab. For builds requiring a second set of Interior stairs, an alternate 1st floor plan (without plumbing, electrical receptacles, or specific interior wall layout videos) with stacked stairs is included.
Why are there only Floor Plans for Model #2436? Currently, there is a greater need to concentrate on building the prototype than to design a floor plan for Model #2424. Perhaps in the future time will allow for additional Floor plans.
Are gable ends designed for 2x4 or 2x6 construction? All floor plans have been designed with 2x4 gable end construction. 2x6 construction will enable more insulation, however, do understand that you will lose 2" of interior space on each end and doors for a 2x6 wall are usually more expensive.
When designing my interior layout, is there anything I should consider? Of course, be certain to follow all local and state building codes (keep in mind that the local Building department is there to help you with questions). There are many things to pay particular attention to, some (but certainly not all) would be room dimension requirements, door and window egress, stair codes, insulation requirements, ceiling height codes, toilet spacing, light & ventilation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, etc..
What type of stairs can I have if I design my interior floor plans? Straight, U-Shaped, L-shaped or Spiral. Because of local building codes, certain stair types may be necessary in your jurisdiction. When cutting joists for stairs, joists will need to be properly headed off (with hangers) and solid walls added along all sides of the stairs to properly transfer the weight of the building.
What type and sizes of doors and windows do I need? This is a personal preference, however door and window sizes need to meet egress requirements in your jurisdiction.
Can the entire gable ends be covered in glass? No more than 33% of the gable end square footage can be openings (doors plus windows), gable end sheathing is needed for strength and helps protect the building from racking.
What about Skylights? YEA-FRAME trusses are spaced 24" on center (there are many skylights that are designed to fit between this space) and were not designed to carry loads from adjacent trusses, therefore, do not cut into perfectly good trusses to allow for wider skylights. If you ignore this advice, you do so at your own risk! Due to lateral force concerns, there is to be no more than 1 skylight every other rafter bay & after installing 3 skylights (6 bays), 3 bays need to be skipped before continuing with installing skylights in every other bay again. When placing skylights on the first floor, be careful not to place them too high, be sure that the rain from the upper level drips at least 6” above the top of first floor skylight. This is especially important for screened versions that may be open in a light shower, as well as noise on the glass.
What about adding a dormer? Again, do not cut into perfectly good trusses! YEA-FRAME trusses were not designed to carry additional loads from adjacent trusses; however, dormers designed by an Architect/Engineer may be architecturally possible, but you will do so at your own risk!
What about having a chimney? Personally, having built an internal (recommended) block chimney, faced with cultured stone from the roofline to the top, I know that there are many things to consider for it to be code worthy, so be certain it is! If building an internal chimney, run the blocks with their long dimension (if they're big and rectangular) parallel to the trusses and you'll have plenty of room between them. If connecting a listed wood burning stove, install according to the manufacturer and above all else, use standards approved by your State Fire Marshall.
What if I want to build YEA-FRAME between 24 and 36 feet? Although the assembly videos and technical support would make it possible, it is not an option, as there are material lists and building plans only for Models #2424 and #2436.
Can YEA-FRAME be built with a length over 36'? Technically yes, however refer to the paragraph above. Also, an engineered shear wall would need to be added every 36'.
Can YEA-FRAME be built with a length shorter than 24'? No, due to structural concerns, as well as aesthetics, it cannot.
What is the refund policy? Our refund policy can be found within the "Terms & Conditions/Refund Policy" page. This link is also on the bottom of most of this site's pages.
What about adding a forum for owners to share tips and techniques? There is a greater need to concentrate on building the prototype than to spend additional time designing the website. Perhaps in the future, time will allow to do so, for it would be a pleasure to interact with a community of YEA-FRAME customers.
How can I follow the project? By clicking on the SUBSCRIBE button on my YouTube channel.