Bespoke Oak Frame Buildings and Timber Construction

We create the most imaginative spaces and places by personalising each Carpenter Oak project.

Please note: We are not currently offering a complete build service, but we can still help you to achieve your dream of a timber framed home. We have developed our network of experts for over 30 years and can recommend architects and builders to help you with your project. Please get in touch with us today about what you’re planning.

Combining our creative timber frame design with efficient project delivery enables us to offer a complete build service. From designing a concept to handing you the keys we bring our full range of professional experience to the table, to provide a truly comprehensive approach to building bold and inspired timber framed buildings.

Our turnkey solution enables you to see a coherent and assured project evolve from start to finish. From the initial brief, this includes rigorous quality assurance.

We work with individuals, families, businesses, and communities, and every building idea presented to us is a story in the making. Drawing on our experience of hundreds of unique frames and buildings, we have developed a step-by-step complete build process to take a plan through design, build and post construction.

With Carpenter Oak’s complete build service, our clients can:

Draw on the depth of experience across the UK Carpenter Oak team
Be involved as much or as little as desired
Enjoy a smooth process whatever the context

Our turn-key solution enables you to see a coherent and assured project evolve from start to finish.

We bring the full range of our professional experience to the table, to provide a truly comprehensive approach to building bold and inspired timber framed buildings.

We know how precious your ideas and investment are. We apply our decades of experience to managing the smoothest transition from initial ideas to a stunning timber framed building. You can relish the process of seeing your ideas come alive from first concept design, to opening the front door for the very first time.

Need more information? Contact us >

Meet the team

Chris Amey

Team Leader

Joined Carpenter Oak: 2012

Interview with Chris Amey

What is your favourite timber frame joint?
A sliding tapered dovetail.

What music are you currently listening to in the workshop?
I actually listen to a lot of Radio 3 with my radio ear defenders. I have to on my own because hardly anyone else likes it. I’m a big fan of Bach, probably because I play some piano a bit and love a string quartet, so some Haydn or Mozart rocks!

What is the best project you have worked on and why?
I have worked on some really beautiful frames. In particular, the Church House Inn in Rattery for having two arch brace trusses. Also, Levens Hall in the Lake District for its angular and original design and Bryan for its beautiful trusses across an old barn from the Port Elliot estate in Cornwall

When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
I play Badminton each week followed by beers with some friends. Otherwise I occasionally get to sail a friend’s boat and generally get to hang out on our gorgeous Devon beaches

What is the best comedy film ever made?
How can I pick between The Big Labowski and Withnail and I?

Biography
I started doing carpentry when I lived in London having previously studied Sonic Arts at university. Enrolling on an NVQ course at Hackney College, I fell in love with it the moment I started the course and it took me to quite a few different places. My first proper job was oak framing in Kent with a bit of restoration work alongside new-build, then I got a job on the Cutty Sark in London for two years during the recent conservation project (before and after the fire). After that I went self employed and mostly worked in Chamonix doing renovations for a family who run a chalet business. Being kinda homeless at the time, me and my then partner decided to head for the South Hams in Devon to run a B&B by the sea and make sculptures and furniture (she ran the B&B while I made the sculptures). This is when I approached Stuart for a job at Carpenter Oak looking for a more reliable income. Eventually he agreed and I started work having to re-learn quite a bit. Six years on, I really love my job, especially since becoming a Team Leader. It’s hugely enjoyable and rewarding. It’s so great to be doing a craft all-day, everyday and although I’m not the designing stuff I am making all day whilst having a fair bit of input into that process along the way.

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Private: Graham Butler

Carpenter

Joined Carpenter Oak: 2002

Interview with Graham

What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Frizealach House, near Glenuig – a thirteen week project which I led on a tricky peninsula jutting out to sea. Oak frame outside, Douglas fir inside, nice client, lots of interesting follow on-stuff, swimming at lunch.

When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Outdoorsy stuff – climbing, sea kayaking, open boat paddling trips especially. Family get-togethers, bonfires, camping, sleeping in extreme places, bivvying, van trips and playing with wood and metal.

If stranded on a desert island, which three people would you take and why?
My wife (cleaning/washing up etc – don’t quote me though) My old mate Pink – a cool dude in most situations Dolly Parton – for singalongs around the fire

Which three people would be in your dream carpentry team and why?
Ian McCloud, Jaime Ward, Sam Turley – interesting, travelled people with lots of framing skills

What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
Playing father Christmas at a local youth club

What music do you listen to?
I have a selection of middle of the road bands on my phone, but enjoy other people’s music collections – music can definitely instigate a mood.

What is the best comedy film ever made?
Waking Ned (British comedy usually has me in stitches)

What do you enjoy most about working with wood/oak?
The ease with which you can fashion something that could potentially still be around in a thousand years’ time.

Do you have a favourite quote?
‘You’ll only get a 500 year guarantee if it’s an oak frame’

Where is your favourite place in the world?
Home and Glenisla, then the Cuillin Hills, Skye

Biography
I’ve had 45 practical years in industry, starting life as an apprentice welder through maintaining a reactor plant, to access work on dams and high rise flats. Married, had two kids, remarried Jackie, opened a smithy for seven years. In 2002, in my mid-forties the opportunity to learn carpentry arose through Carpenter Oak – still learning all these years later. Never once looked back with regrets. I try to keep the electronic world as a periphery and have never lost interest in the seasons and the natural world.

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Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin

Senior Carpenter

Joined Carpenter Oak: 2004

Interview with Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin

What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Boyden for location and the challenge of the roof geometry

What do you enjoy doing when not in the yard?
Exploring Dartmoor, walking, woodwork and if I am injury free, a lot of running.

What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
I’ve always been a carpenter…..what does that tell you?

Do you have a favourite quote?
The show isn’t over until the fat lady sings

Where is your favourite place in the World?
Anywhere off road with some grippy running shoes

Biography
I trained as a carpenter in France as a Journeyman for five years, applied for a job in England and arrived at Carpenter Oak with a one year contract. Over a decade on, I’m still here. I love Devon and Dartmoor and wouldn’t go back to France for all the money in the world.

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Watching the oak frame go up was incredible, and within three days it was fully erected. I almost didn't want them to build anything around it because it was so beautiful...

Annie Laing, Client

Could you please pass on my thanks to those involved in the project at Pound Cottage. From our first meeting to completion of the frame we have received extremely professional service from everyone at Carpenter Oak. The frame was delivered ahead of time to a high standard of workmanship. The team of craftsman were excellent, nothing was too much trouble and they happily took time to explain anything we queried. From a project management perspective I was delighted to see the site was left clean and tidy and their standard of health and safety was high.

Andy Turner, Director, Princeton Homes

Here is a photograph of the spider’s web in situ. The Bolams are delighted with it and it is much admired by all who have seen it. Thank you very much for your help. I know it was not easy for you at long distance but I think you did brilliantly to interpret my idea and I am delighted with the result. I hope we get the opportunity to work together again.

Complete Build

We create the most imaginative spaces and places by personalising each Carpenter Oak project.

Our turn-key solution enables you to see a coherent and assured project evolve from start to finish.

Meet the team

Chris Amey

Team Leader

Interview with Chris Amey

Private: Graham Butler

Carpenter

Interview with Graham

Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin

Senior Carpenter

Interview with Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin

Annie Laing, Client

Andy Turner, Director, Princeton Homes

H Fauls, Garden Designer

Selected Projects

Higham Findlow

Award winning contemporary oak framed house in Cheshire.

Auchendlai – Show Barn inspired Devon Home

Idyllic Self Build Country Home

Tingrith Lakes

Oak Portal Frame

Awards

Latest

Complete Build

We create the most imaginative spaces and places by personalising each Carpenter Oak project.

Our turn-key solution enables you to see a coherent and assured project evolve from start to finish.

Meet the team

Chris Amey

Team Leader

Interview with Chris Amey

Private: Graham Butler

Carpenter

Interview with Graham

Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin

Senior Carpenter

Interview with Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin

Annie Laing, Client

Andy Turner, Director, Princeton Homes

H Fauls, Garden Designer

Selected Projects

Higham Findlow

Award winning contemporary oak framed house in Cheshire.

Auchendlai – Show Barn inspired Devon Home

Idyllic Self Build Country Home

Tingrith Lakes

Oak Portal Frame

Awards

Latest

Contact

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