Any timber frame experts in the house

[Skyedriver]

I should really should know the answer to this but i'm doubting myself.
We were talking to the sales person at a local housing development and were asking about adding an extra external door.
The response was that it couldn't be done as it was timber frame.
Now to my mind it wouldn't make any difference to an extra door in a brick & block wall. I think it was more a case of the kit manufacturers structural designs would need to be altered and their structural warranty affected. Am I wrong? Could an additional external door be installed at a later date?
THanks

[Equus]

It depends where in the structure, and you'll potentially need engineering calculations to prove it, but yes, it can be done.

[Vaud]

Skyedriver said:

We were talking to the sales person

I suspect this is your issue.

[Shoegrip]

They are fobbing you off. Yes, the new aperture needs to be put into the structural calcs but that is it. I can't imagine it would have much effect on racking and as for span loads, on a single or 2 storey domestic property, I can't imagine you'll have any problems.

[elanfan]

I'd bet that if you put down a non refundable deposit etc the builders will do it for you, though they might need to get planning permission.

[RammyMP]

Equus said:

It depends where in the structure, and you'll potentially need engineering calculations to prove it, but yes, it can be done.

It can be done, will cost a few hundred quid to re-run the calcs for the frame.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks everyone, confirmed, my suspicions.
The Developer will have commissioned "X" number of kits and wouldn't want the problem of getting one amended or invalidating the design calcs.

The salesperson is probably just covering herself by saying no variations.

Remember back 20+ years ago, it cost me a variation fee for the builder at the time to NOT paint the staircase and NOT tile the kitchen

[Tom_C76]

The frame may even be made and in a yard somewhere. You may want the door on a panel joint requiring amendment to the drawings for two panels rather than one. There may be a post for a girder truss requiring a special lintel.

It's definitely possible to add an opening, but on a timber frame site by a mass builder I can see why they said no.