FAQs

General

Why choose to work with us?

Our team have been crafting beautifully bespoke oak framed spaces for homes and businesses in Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, including the South Downs National Park since 1998. Every single Eavoak building is handmade using responsibly sourced, PEFC-certified green oak by our talented woodworkers and carpenters. Supported by our passionate and local team of designers, town planning consultants and project managers, we can offer you a turn-key service for your oak framed project with a transparent, forward-thinking and friendly approach throughout. We discuss ideas, offer suggestions, and inspire, supporting you at every turn. The result is a beautifully unique oak framed space created just for you and your lifestyle.

What areas do you cover?

We work predominantly within Surrey, Hampshire, and Sussex, including the South Downs National Park; however, depending on the size and timescales of the project, we will always consider other areas. Please do get in touch with us to discuss.

Where can we see your work?

We understand it can be helpful to see what a style or finish looks like in real life before committing to your final design. We have several happy clients who are more than willing to show off their completed oak framed buildings, giving you the opportunity to make an informed decision. Your designer is available to arrange property visits as needed. You can also visit our Inspiration page for more examples of our work, ideas on how you can use your oak framed building, case studies and more.

We will be opening our Eavoak Gallery in 2025. Here, you can view our craftsmanship first-hand and explore our range of internal and external finishes. Visiting also allows you to discuss your project in detail with our experienced team of designers and carpenters. You will also be welcome to play a part in choosing the oak used for your project and experiencing how your oak framed building is crafted and brought to life.

What is your process, and who would I work with?

Our dedicated team of experts are here to support you every step of the way as you bring your custom oak building to life. From project managers and building designers to planning consultants and carpenters, we have the experience and expertise to make your vision a reality.

Our end-to-end service means we can take care of every step – all you need to do is enjoy. If you’d like a more active role, we’d be delighted to work with you or your chosen contractors to ensure your completed oak framed building meets all your expectations.

• Find out more about our process here

Why are there no prices on your website? Can you provide a guide price for my project?

As all our oak framed buildings are bespoke and designed individually for each project brief, it is difficult to provide an accurate price for our products without more information. We offer complimentary site visits, during which one of our team will discuss everything in detail with you, assess your site, and take any necessary measurements. From there, we can provide an initial quote to work from and guide you on any additional features and options that might be available to you.

We offer guide prices for our single-storey oak garages and room above garages, and we have a selection of classic sizes and designs available to help you begin your process. You can order these as they are or as a starting point for your bespoke oak framed garage project.

• Browse our range of classic oak garages

What can my oak-framed building be used for? Can you give me some inspiration?

All our oak framed buildings are bespoke and designed by our in-house design team to meet your exact requirements. From a guest cabin in the garden that doubles as a holiday rental, to a home for your prized collection of cars, we can build anything you wish. Our oak framed buildings are equally suitable for commercial or community use – from much-needed office space to a pub dining shelter, cricket pavilion or even a yoga studio.

Whether you’d like to adapt one of our classic hand-built oak framed buildings to your design or have a vision for a one-of-a-kind building, our team of talented designers and master craftsmen are here to make your vision a reality.

Explore our portfolio for examples of our work or visit our Inspiration area to help inspire your

• Case Studies
• Portfolio

Our Oak Framed Buildings

Can you supply the oak framed only or the building in kit form?

We don’t supply the frame only. We provide turnkey solutions, removing the stress and providing seamless service from start to finish so you can relax and enjoy witnessing your new oak framed vision come to life. Your oak framed will be crafted in our very own workshop, and only once it has passed all our rigorous quality checks will it be carefully packed up and personally delivered to our site team, ready to erect.

Can you work with my subcontractors?

At Eavoak, we provide a complete end-to-end service, and our experienced team can take care of every step of the process for you. However, if you prefer to be more hands-on, we are happy to work alongside you or your contractors to guarantee your completed oak framed building is everything you wish for.

Do you manage the complete project?

Yes, our Eavoak team of qualified and experienced designers, carpenters, project managers, and others will manage your project from start to finish. We provide a complete turnkey service, including planning approval and design, right through to the groundworks and decorating, should you wish.

Do you take care of the groundworks?

You may find that some construction companies regard groundworks as someone else’s problem. However, we believe it is an integral part of our service. Our long-standing groundworks contractors have been selected for their skills and exceptional level of service.

In addition to ensuring the base for your oak framed building is constructed to Local Authority Building Control standards, our groundworkers offer the following services to help complete your project.

• Landscaping
• Driveways
• Paving
• Drainage
• Brickwork
• Sewerage
• Sustainable source installation (solar, living walls and roofs)

Can you provide a design for my proposed build?

Yes. No matter what kind of building you’re looking for, we take time to understand your lifestyle and needs. We’re here to design a space you love and optimise your resources. Our designers will produce concept sketches to bring your oak framed building to life, allowing you to visualise your new space while taking local planning and conservation requirements into consideration.

We’ll share the initial concepts with you, along with a guideline quotation as a complimentary proposal for your review and feedback. If you decide to move forward, we’ll refine the concept sketches into detailed drawings and develop your building regulations package, if required.

Do your buildings come in standard sizes and designs, or can I design my own?

All our oak framed buildings are bespoke and designed individually for each project brief. We offer complimentary site visits, during which one of our team will discuss everything with you, assess your site, and take any necessary measurements. From there, we can provide an initial quote to work from and also guide you on any additional features and options that might be available to you.

Choose Eavoak and you’ll have the support of our expert team, guiding you through the process of creating your custom oak building from start to finish. We do offer some guide prices for our single-storey garages and room above garages, and have a selection of classic sizes and designs available to help you begin your process. These can be ordered as they are or as a starting point for your bespoke oak framed garage project.

• Learn more about our classic garage designs

Do you offer internal fit-out and design services?

Yes. We work carefully to ensure the inside of your oak framed building is as breathtaking as the exterior. Our experienced Eavoak team can manage your complete internal fit-outs, from kitchens, bathrooms, and decorating to key features such as wood burners and wine storage. For larger projects, we recommend interior design services to help create your space and bring your vision to life.

Depending on your brief, we can support you with the following:

• Interior design and decoration
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Custom-built furniture
• Interior features such as wood burners and wine cellars

We have long-standing partnerships with all our suppliers. We can ensure that all these elements will complement your new oak framed building and are seamlessly incorporated to complete your project from the outside in.

Your designer will be pleased to share the choices and help you select the best options for your beautiful new oak framed space.

Do you offer options for renewable energy sources?

Yes. Renewable energy sources are the natural choice for oak framed buildings, perfect for off-grid properties and those who want to help protect our delicate environment.

We work with Clear Sky Energy, our trusted partner for many years, to supply and install a range of systems for your oak framed building, providing you with as much information about energy efficiency as you need. We work hard to make sure our bespoke designs make intelligent use of all renewable and energy-efficient technologies and contribute to a greener, more sustainable environment.

• Learn more about our renewable energy options

Planning

Do you prepare the relevant planning and building regulation applications as part of your service?

Yes. If your oak-frame building requires planning permission, our planning team can prepare and submit the relevant application for you. Our designers will also prepare a detailed Building Regulations package. With many years of experience, strong relationships with Hampshire, Surrey, and West Sussex Planning Authorities, and excellent relationships with our designers, our planning experts have an excellent success rate in gaining approval for our oak-framed buildings.

Our planning application success rate is currently over 95%.

Do I need planning permission to replace an existing building?

It depends on the size and location of the existing building and if your property is listed in a Conservation Area, National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Our team of experienced planners are here to help you.

Does my building require planning permission?

Our architectural designers work closely with our experienced planning team to evaluate your site and design a building that will comply with local and national planning policy and guidance.

Some buildings can be built under Permitted Development (where express planning permission is not required). We can advise whether you will require planning permission or whether a Lawful Development Certificate for Permitted Development is sufficient.

Our experienced town planners will prepare and submit your application with all of the necessary documentation.

What is permitted development, and what falls under this?

Permitted development rights are a national grant of planning permission that allows specific building works and changes of use without making a planning application. Permitted development rights are subject to conditions and limitations to control impacts and protect local amenities.

The Planning Portal contains in-depth information about whether or not a project falls under Permitted Development;

Please note that some local planning authorities may have removed some of your permitted development rights by issuing an ‘Article 4’ direction or through a condition on a previous planning permission. This will mean you must submit a planning application for work which otherwise would not need one.

For buildings that do not require full planning permission, we still need to apply to the council for a Certificate of Lawfulness. This process is similar to the full planning application but incurs a reduced application fee.

Our experienced planning team can help you determine whether you need to seek planning permission for your new building and manage the entire process. We strongly suggest you seek advice before proceeding.

• Find out more about our process here

Why Oak?

Why should I consider building with oak?

Modern technology has created a vast range of choices for sustainable construction, yet green oak remains a consistently excellent choice. It’s truly renewable if sourced from a well-managed and sustainable forest like ours. It’s carbon neutral, grows old gracefully, needs very little, if any, maintenance and is, of course, strong, durable and built to last a lifetime. Oak is beautiful and full of character whilst also being versatile and lending itself well to both modern and traditional designs. It also has other great benefits, such as being an excellent sound absorber.

What is the advantage of oak cladding over softwood?

Oak cladding is a far more durable timber than softwood. Its advantage is that no further maintenance is usually required for 25–100 years. Typically, oak will have a service life over 2-3 times longer than treated softwood.

Will my oak come from a sustainable source, and where is it sourced from?

We source only the highest quality, sustainable oak for our projects. All our wood is sustainable and certified by PEFC and GIB.

Our oak grows in forests in Normandy, France. The French forestry industry is tightly regulated and harvested oak trees are replaced, ensuring an ongoing supply of oak and natural environments.
We source our oak from English Woodlands Timber, a specialist timber merchant based in Cocking, West Sussex. They subscribe to chain-of-custody certification schemes that assure “legal and sustainable” timber felling. This means the tree and timber can be tracked through the supply chain, guaranteeing the wood is 100% assured.

Cleaning & Maintenance

I have heard that oak moves. Can this be avoided?

This is known as shrinkage. Shrinkage is a natural process that occurs over many years as your frame dries out. It is commonly known as the ‘seasoning process’; most shrinkage will occur within the first two years.

As this process takes place, its character develops before your eyes. Natural cracks and splits appear as the wood ages and weathers, becoming the strong, characterful building you envisaged. Although shrinkage cannot be avoided, we use specific processes when crafting your building to ensure movement is kept to a minimum.

Will the colour of my building change over time?

Yes. Over time, your oak will naturally change colour, softening to a beautiful shade of silver.

Do I need to treat my oak frame?

As a standard procedure, we don’t recommend treating the exterior face of your oak. Oak is a beautiful material that grows old naturally and gracefully, and all marks and uneven patches will even out over time as it grows into its elegant silvery tones.

Living up to its low-maintenance reputation, we advise letting your oak frame breathe and adapt to its natural conditions. Allow it to settle and grow into its surroundings. This will allow it to become a strong, characterful building that works in perfect harmony with its surroundings.

Of course, if you would like to discuss the option of treating and protecting, our team will be more than happy to do so.

How do I clean my oak frame?

Your oak frame can be cleaned by blasting, sanding or cleaning with oxalic acid. Both sanding and acid cleaning can be done yourself if you follow all health and safety guidance. We also offer cleaning with oxalic acid on completion of your building if needed.

Where do the black marks come from, and how can I remove them?

The black marks are caused by the oak coming into contact with iron or steel during the milling/machining/framing up and erecting process. Heavy oak framing is not a carpentry/furniture-type activity, and some marks are inevitable due to the way the timbers are machined and handled. Several cleaning methods can remove them, which we can advise you on.

How long will my oak frame last?

With proper construction and maintenance, timber frames will exceed 100 years; some have been known to last up to 400. It is an exceptionally durable and long-lasting construction material.

Do I receive a guarantee with my building?

Yes. We offer a 10-year guarantee with all our oak-frame buildings. In addition to your statutory rights, we warrant that the structure and foundations of the building will be free from defects in materials and/or workmanship for 10 years from the date of the completion invoice. All other building elements, including but not limited to windows, bi-fold doors, showers and heating, will be subject to the individual manufacturer’s guarantee.

We carefully inspect all materials during manufacture and construction and use rigorous quality-checking systems. This means we cannot be liable for warping, shrinkage and expansion, cracking or the like, as these are features of a natural product like timber.

Rookery Barns

When did Rookery Barns become Eavoak?

We changed our name from Rookery Barns to Eavoak in 2024. When we began as Rookery Barns, we started with smaller projects like oak-framed garages and garden rooms. Over time, we expanded to larger oak-framed buildings. Our name, Eavoak, honours our primary building material, oak.

Does Eavoak have a different team to Rookery Barns?

No. Although we changed our name from Rookery Barns to Eavoak, we have the same team and provide the same exceptional service.