If you’re in the process of building a new home, you’ve probably come across the terms frame and truss. They’re one of the most important parts of any structure and any builder you hire will undoubtedly have stressed how crucial they are. 

There are a lot of things to know when choosing your frame and truss supplier. We’ve collected some information for you to help you choose the right supplier for your needs. Information including:

• What are trusses? 
• What are frames?
• What materials should I use for my frames and trusses? 
• How much do frames and trusses cost?
• How do I find a frame and truss supplier?
• Getting quotes for frame and truss suppliers

What are frames?

Before you can build walls and add in the wiring of your home, you need a framework to hold everything in place. Frames are generally a wooden structure that acts as the skeleton of your house. Everything else, including the insulation, cladding etc is built around the frame. 

More importantly, the frame provides support to the ceiling and roof, preventing your house from collapsing when you try to cover it! 

What are trusses?

Trusses go on top of the frame, and act like the skeleton for your ceiling and roof. While frames can be a little more straightforward, trusses use a complex web-like design to secure each component of the house and properly distribute the weight of your roof evenly to the frame. 

You will sometimes hear the term rafters being used for the same structure. Rafters and trusses are essentially the same once they’re installed but their difference comes from their installation process. Trusses are prefabricated in a factory while rafters are built from scratch on-site. 

Trusses can be crafted to many different configurations which means that they can be customised to suit basically any home design. 

What materials should I use for my frame and truss?

Most Australian homes use timber frames and trusses but steel is also a common material used for this purpose. Read on for more information on each of these materials.

Timber frames and trusses 

Pine is the most common timber used for frames and trusses. Traditionally, the pine was used untreated but most modern homes use treated pine to reduce the risks of pests getting into the wood. When looking into pine framing, it will usually be graded into 3 qualities. 

• H2: Uses a blue stain to treat against borer and termite attacks. It’s best for internal use above ground, as most frames and trusses are
• H3: Has extra protection from moisture in addition to the protections that H2 pine has. H3 is great for humid areas as long as the frame is above ground
• H4: Is one of the toughest grades of pine framing available, and is resistant to rot even in extreme wet conditions. H4 pine can also be used in the ground due to its resistance

It’s a good idea to check the regulations of frames and trusses with your local council so that you can choose the right material for your home while ensuring that it will pass a local building inspection. 

Steel frames and trusses 

Many Australians are switching to steel frames and roof trusses when building a new home. Steel lasts significantly longer than timber and doesn’t require treatment to prevent pest infestations or rot. It’s also lightweight which makes it easier to transport and install. 

The downside to steel frames and trusses are that they’re more costly than timber. They also require more skill to install, which could either mean additional costs for labour or an extended build time. 

How much do frames and trusses cost?

Frames and trusses, particularly if the truss uses a custom design, need to be cut to precise specifications. In general, you can expect to pay roughly $30 - $90 per hour for both the material and labour. 

The price of trusses and frames will depend on several factors:

• The material you choose: Low-grade or untreated timber is the cheapest option while steel will usually be the most expensive one. 
• The type of build: Different buildings will require certain trusses and this can affect the cost. Sometimes renovations or extensions can cost more because they can’t use a stock template as they can for a new home.
• Labour: Each state and territory will generally have different average prices for carpentry, resulting in tradies charging different rates for different jobs. As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay roughly $40-80 an hour for labour. 

It can be hard to know exactly what a job will cost but many suppliers will be able to give you a quote if you ask. 

How do I find a frame and truss supplier?

Before you hire a frame and truss supplier, it can be a good idea to ask them some questions to make sure that you’re choosing the right business for your needs. 

Some of these questions include:

• How long will the job take?
• Do you have experience with the job?
• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written quote? 
• Do you have references I can follow up on?

Getting quotes from frame and truss suppliers near me

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a tradie. The cheapest option may not always be the best one and you may find that there are additional costs down the line that can add up. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You can always ask about the quotes and get an itemised list of what you are paying for.