FAQs
Our innovative method of timber construction is growing in popularity for its speed, cost-efficiency and sustainability.
Below are some common questions and answers to help you understand why using OFFSITE is a smart choice for housing and large-scale building projects.
Curious to find out more about OFFSITE? Contact us today.
OFFSITE can significantly reduce costs compared to traditional WA methods. Some of the ways we save you money:
- Less onsite delays – factory production means less disruption and delays onsite
- Reduced labour costs – our prefabricated products mean fewer workers needed on-site
- Less material waste – our precision-engineered products means fewer manufacturing errors
- Shorter build times – faster completion means lower financing and holding costs.
- Lower energy bills – timber has high insulation properties which improves thermal performance, meaning lower energy bills.
Construction using OFFSITE’s timber panel systems speeds up building in several ways:
- Factory production of timber panels reduces delays caused by weather and labour shortages.
- Simultaneous site preparation and factory assembly shorten the overall project timeline.
- Fewer on-site workers mean less disruption and faster installation.
With OFFSITE, developers and builders can complete projects faster than traditional WA building methods, allowing for quicker occupancy and returns on your investment.
Generally, for a single dwelling it takes 1-2 days to manufacture and 1-2 days to assemble onsite from slab to roof cover. This is a drastically shorter timeframe than traditional WA building methods.
Our builds are highly energy-efficient, achieving a minimum 7++ NatHERS rating straight off our production line. Our timber frame products come with pre-installed insulation which enhances the overall energy efficiency of the dwelling and reduces heating/cooling costs.
We’ve proudly designed, manufactured and installed fully passive homes that maximise thermal performance, without relying on double brick.
Yes! Timber construction has several environmental advantages:
- Renewable Resource – Timber is naturally replenished and absorbs CO₂.
- Less Waste – Prefabrication ensures efficient material use.
- Lower Carbon Footprint – Reduces reliance on high-emission materials like concrete and steel.
- Better Energy Efficiency – Timber’s natural insulation properties help optimise thermal performance, reducing overall heating and cooling costs.
Bring us in at the concept phase to collaborate with your Architect and drafting team. From design, we are with you from engineering to installation. At lockup, we hand the site over for the internal fitout. Early collaboration speeds up timelines and reduces costs.
A well-built, properly maintained timber-framed dwelling is extremely durable. Timber is:
- Naturally strong and flexible (ideal for earthquake-prone areas).
- Resistant to cracking and shrinking compared to concrete or steel.
- Easily repairable and modifiable, making renovations simpler
All OFFSITE products offer a 7 year guarantee, providing you with quality assurance and peace of mind.
OFFSITE only source timber through local, accredited suppliers to ensure complete quality assurance and control.
Typically, we use Pine (MGP10, H2 treated) for external and internal wall products and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) for our floor cassette and roof cassette products.
Yes, all OFFSITE timber frame products are treated to protect from:
- Pests (e.g., termites, borers)
- Rot and decay (caused by moisture exposure)
- Fire risk (fire-retardant treatments can improve safety)
While both terms are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference:
- Wooden frame – usually refers to onsite stick-built construction, where individual wooden pieces are cut and assembled on location.
- Timber frame – refers to prefabricated panels or sections that are assembled into a larger structure, reducing on-site labour and build time.
OFFSITE uses timber frames, offering faster, more efficient and higher-quality builds.
Yes, OFFSITE’s Design for Manufacture & Assembly (DfMA) timber buildings can be engineered to meet the rigorous demands of cyclone-prone areas when designed and constructed in compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards. Our advanced timber systems can be tailored for high-wind resilience, ensuring safety, durability, and continued usability during and after severe weather events.
Key cyclone-resilient features include:
- Structural reinforcement: Enhanced wall and ceiling bracing, additional studs, and cyclonic tie-down anchors to strengthen the entire frame.
- Cyclone-rated connections: Increased use of cyclonic-rated fasteners and robust connections to maintain the “tie-down chain” – a continuous load path from roof to ground that is essential for withstanding uplift forces.
- Impact-resistant openings: Installation of windows and doors with cyclone-rated glass and mesh screens to reduce the risk of wind-borne debris damage.
- Strong room option: We can incorporate a purpose-built strong room, constructed to higher standards, to provide a secure shelter within the home during extreme conditions.
While no home can be entirely “cyclone-proof,” OFFSITE’s solutions significantly reduce the risk of damage and improve the building’s ability to remain functional after the storm. Our systems also help mitigate non-structural issues like water ingress from wind-driven rain, which can cause widespread interior damage even in otherwise intact buildings. By integrating resilient materials (e.g. fibre-cement ceilings, vinyl flooring) and smart design strategies, we ensure our timber buildings provide not just safety, but enhanced comfort, durability, and peace of mind.