Ordering an oak frame kit is one of the most popular ways to add a traditional oak structure to your property — whether that’s an oak framed garage, a garden room, an extension, or even a complete oak framed house. But if you’ve never bought an oak building kit before, you’ll naturally want to know what arrives on the lorry, what you’ll need to source separately, and how the process works.
In this guide, we cover what’s included in a typical oak frame kit, what isn’t, how kit-only compares to supply-and-erect and turnkey services, and what you should expect to pay.
What Is an Oak Frame Kit?
An oak frame kit is a pre-designed, pre-cut structural oak frame delivered to your site ready for assembly. Each timber is cut to precise dimensions in the workshop, with every mortise and tenon joint prepared in advance. The pieces are numbered and labelled to match a set of assembly drawings, so the frame goes together in the correct sequence on site.
At Sussex Oak Structures, every frame we produce is crafted at our workshop using traditional carpentry methods. Whether you’re ordering a simple garage kit or the frame for a full house, the quality of the joinery is the same.
What’s Included in a Standard Oak Frame Kit
The exact contents of an oak frame kit vary between manufacturers, so it’s always worth asking for a detailed specification before you commit. However, a well-specified oak building kit from a reputable supplier in the UK will typically include the following:
The Oak Frame Structure
This is the heart of the kit — the structural skeleton of your building. It includes:
- Posts: The main vertical uprights, often jowl posts where the top widens for additional bearing
- Beams and tie beams: Horizontal timbers spanning between posts, forming the wall and floor framework
- Rafters: Angled timbers forming the roof structure, running from wall plate to ridge
- Purlins: Horizontal roof timbers supporting the rafters and providing fixing points for the roof covering
- Ridge beam: The timber at the apex where opposing rafters meet
- Wall plates: Horizontal timbers on top of the posts, distributing load from the rafters
Braces, Fixings, and Documentation
- Curved braces (arch braces): Distinctive curved timbers connecting posts to beams, providing lateral stability and the classic oak frame look
- Knee braces and wind braces: Shorter braces reinforcing post-to-beam connections and diagonal roof braces preventing racking
- Hardwood pegs: Traditional oak dowels securing every mortise and tenon joint
- Sole plates: Timber or steel plates between the frame and foundation, preventing moisture contact
- Steel fixings: Concealed connectors where required by building regulations
- Assembly drawings and structural calculations: Numbered plans, engineering documentation, and a foundation layout
What’s NOT Included in an Oak Frame Kit
This is where misunderstandings can occur, so it’s crucial to be clear. An oak frame kit is the structural skeleton only. You will need to source and budget for the following separately:
Foundations and Groundworks
The kit does not include any groundworks, excavation, or concrete foundations. You will need pad foundations, strip foundations, or a raft slab depending on the building type and ground conditions. Budget approximately £3,000 to £8,000 for a garage foundation, or considerably more for a house.
Roofing
Roof battens, breathable membrane, insulation, and the roof covering itself (tiles, slate, or cedar shingles) are not part of the frame kit. Roofing typically adds £3,000 to £10,000 for a garage, or significantly more for larger structures.
Cladding and Infill
The panels or materials that fill the gaps between the oak frame members — whether that’s weatherboarding, featheredge boarding, brick infill, render, or Kingspan TEK structural insulated panels (SIPs) — are generally not included in a basic kit price. SIPs are particularly popular for garden rooms, extensions, and houses where thermal performance is essential.
Windows and Doors
Glazing, door frames, and doors are separate. For garages, this might mean oak barn doors or roller shutters. For habitable buildings, it means double or triple-glazed windows and external doors.
Electrics, Plumbing, and Internal Finishing
All first and second fix electrical work, plumbing (where applicable), plastering, flooring, and internal decoration are outside the scope of a frame kit. These are standard building trades that your builder will coordinate.
Kit-Only vs Supply-and-Erect vs Full Turnkey
When you approach an oak frame company, you’ll generally be offered one of three service levels. Understanding the difference is essential for budgeting and planning.
Kit-Only (Frame Supply)
You receive the pre-cut, numbered oak frame delivered to site. Assembly, roofing, cladding, and finishing are your responsibility. Best for self-builders or those working with their own builder. Typically saves 20-30% compared to supply-and-erect.
Supply-and-Erect
The most popular option. The manufacturer delivers the frame and sends their own team to erect it on your prepared foundations — usually within one to three days. You then take over for roofing, cladding, and finishing. Best for most homeowners who want assurance the frame is raised correctly.
Full Turnkey
Covers everything from design through to a completed, watertight building: foundations, frame erection, roofing, cladding, insulation, windows, doors, and potentially internal finishing. Best for oak framed houses and extensions where multiple trades and building regulations need coordinating.
At Sussex Oak Structures, we offer all three options. Our bespoke design service works with you from the outset, regardless of which route you choose.
Oak Frame Kit Prices: What to Budget
Oak frame kit prices vary depending on the size, complexity, and specification of the structure. The following ranges are guide prices for frame-only kits in 2026. Supply-and-erect and turnkey options will be higher.
Oak Garage Kit Prices
| Garage Kit Type | Kit-Only Price | Supply-and-Erect Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bay Oak Garage Kit | £8,000 – £12,000 | £12,000 – £20,000 |
| 2 Bay Oak Garage Kit | £12,000 – £22,000 | £18,000 – £35,000 |
| 3 Bay Oak Garage Kit | £18,000 – £35,000 | £30,000 – £55,000 |
| 4 Bay Garage Kit with Room Above | £30,000 – £50,000 | £50,000 – £90,000+ |
For more detail on oak framed garage options and configurations, take a look at our dedicated garage pages.
Oak Garden Room Kit Prices
| Garden Room Kit Type | Kit-Only Price | Turnkey Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small Garden Room (up to 15m²) | £10,000 – £16,000 | £25,000 – £40,000 |
| Medium Garden Room (15-25m²) | £14,000 – £25,000 | £35,000 – £55,000 |
| Large Garden Room / Garden Office (25m²+) | £22,000 – £40,000 | £50,000 – £80,000+ |
Garden rooms require full insulation (typically SIPs), double glazing, and electrical services, so the gap between kit-only and turnkey is significant. Visit our oak framed garden rooms page for design inspiration.
Oak Extension Kit Prices
Oak framed extension kits typically start from around £15,000 for the frame of a modest single-storey extension, rising to £40,000 or more for larger designs. Full turnkey extensions, including foundations, glazing, roofing, insulation, and internal finishing, generally range from £40,000 to £120,000 depending on size and specification.
Oak House Frame Kit Prices
A complete oak framed house kit is a significant investment. Frame-only kits for a typical three-bedroom house start from around £60,000 to £100,000. The total build cost for a finished oak frame house, including foundations, enclosure, services, and internal finishing, will generally sit between £250,000 and £500,000 or more, depending on size and specification.
DIY Assembly vs Professional Installation
One of the attractions of an oak frame kit is the possibility of erecting it yourself. Smaller structures such as a single-bay garage, carport, or pergola can be assembled by two or three people with basic lifting equipment and carpentry confidence. Bear in mind that even timbers for a small garage can weigh 40kg to over 100kg each, so a telehandler or small crane is usually essential.
For anything larger than a single-bay structure, we strongly recommend professional erection by the company that manufactured the frame. The reasons are straightforward:
- Safety: Multi-bay and two-storey frames involve heavy timbers lifted to height, requiring a crane and experienced banksmen
- Precision: The frame must be plumb, level, and square before pegging. Experienced erectors manage green oak tolerances expertly
- Speed: A professional team can raise a three-bay garage frame in a single day; a self-builder might take a week
- Warranty: Many structural warranties are conditional on professional erection by the manufacturer or an approved contractor
Choosing the Right Supplier and What to Expect
Not all oak frame kits are equal. When comparing suppliers, look for European or English green oak that’s properly graded, traditional pegged mortise and tenon joints (rather than bolt-together connections), a bespoke design service that tailors the frame to your site, structural calculations from a qualified engineer, and a strong track record of completed projects. Discover why oak is such a rewarding material to build with.
At Sussex Oak Structures, the process typically runs as follows: initial consultation to discuss your requirements and site; bespoke design with detailed plans and 3D visuals; guidance on planning permission and Building Regulations where needed; manufacture in our joinery workshop (typically six to twelve weeks); delivery on a flatbed lorry; and if you’ve chosen supply-and-erect, our team raises the frame with a crane, usually completing a garage in a single day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in an oak frame kit?
A standard oak frame kit includes the pre-cut, numbered green oak frame (posts, beams, rafters, purlins and ridge beam), hardwood pegs, sole plates, curved braces, wall plates and any knee braces specified in the design, plus assembly drawings and structural calculations. It does not include foundations, roofing, cladding, glazing, or internal finishing.
Can I erect an oak frame kit myself?
Smaller structures such as single-bay garage kits, carports and pergolas can be erected by a competent DIYer with lifting equipment. Larger frames for multi-bay garages, garden rooms, extensions and houses require a crane and an experienced team. Most suppliers offer a supply-and-erect service for this reason.
How much does an oak garage kit cost in the UK?
Oak garage kit prices typically start from £8,000 to £12,000 for a single-bay kit-only frame. A two-bay kit ranges from £12,000 to £22,000, and a three-bay kit from £18,000 to £35,000. These are frame-only prices; supply-and-erect and turnkey options cost more. See our oak framed garages page for details.
What is the difference between kit-only and supply-and-erect?
Kit-only means the pre-cut frame is delivered for you or your builder to assemble. Supply-and-erect adds professional erection by the manufacturer’s team, ensuring the structure is raised correctly and covered by warranty. Turnkey goes further, covering everything from foundations to the finished building.
Get a Quote for Your Oak Frame Kit
Whether you’re looking for a simple oak garage kit, a garden room frame, or the complete structure for a self-build house, we’d love to help. Every project we take on at Sussex Oak Structures is designed and built to the same exacting standards, using traditional joinery methods and the finest quality European green oak.
To discuss your project and receive a detailed, no-obligation quotation, get in touch with our team or call us directly on 01293 851287. We’re happy to talk through the options and recommend the right service level for your needs, your budget, and your experience.
