J.M. Kelley Ltd. - Moving The Timber Framed Building

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Moving The Timber Framed Building
Over the past few years, there has been an increasing awareness of the wide array of wonderful period buildings available for reuse as houses or parts of houses. you may have found the perfect Greek Revival gem that is about to have a new highway put through the main entrance, or you may feel that the hewn texture and beautiful honey brown color of an 18th century barn would make the perfect family room for your new house. Maybe you just want to have the ultimate recycling experience!
Whatever the reason, saving one of these handmade structures can be a rewarding experience. Having moved a number of these structures over the years, I thought I would pass along a few ideas that may forestall some serious heartache to anyone out there contemplating such an endeavor.

Before taking the first measurement or pulling the first nail, there are some important factors to consider:
1. Inspect the frame thoroughly. A very detailed inspection with a good light and a probe can turn up water, insect or structural problems that can turn what seems like a great frame into a restorer's nightmare. I have seen large timbers, which appeared quite sound from the outside, completely hollowed out by carpenter ants. Be realistic with yourself here. At some point the amount of restoration needed will:
    A. Make the job cost prohibitive and,
    B. It will cease being an old frame, and you         should save the cost of taking it down and build a         new one from scratch, for less money.
(Figure 1.)
2. Do a thoughtful walk around of both the "from" sight, and the "to" sight for overhead wires, trees, proximity to roads and inhabited buildings and drop offs or other physical hazards. Remember, your work sight must have safe room for a crane, man lifts, all the building pieces (it's a lot bigger than you think when it's all spread out) and your own vehicles, to say nothing of all those people who will stop to take pictures.
In spite of all these sobering thoughts, if you are still determined to go ahead, the actual process has four distinct phases:

Documentation   Dismantling   Restoration   Reassembly

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