Plan-to-Install Experience: Families Share Their Timber Kit Stories
The plan-to-install experience with a Western Timber Frame kit is simple from start to finish. In their own words, families in New York, Utah, Georgia, and California describe how the design team guided them to the right size, how quickly the kits arrived, and how the structures went up in a matter of hours.
Key Takeaways
- Guided design: the team helps choose the right size, with standard kits or custom orders
- Fast installs: from under two hours to an afternoon, depending on the structure
- Your choice: install it yourself, hire a contractor, or have Western Timber Frame’s crew do it
- Quality that surprises: visitors cannot believe the structures came as kits
Why Did These Families Choose a Timber Frame Kit?
“My wife wanted a pavilion, but we couldn’t get anybody here in New York to give us the quality that we wanted, or the look that we wanted.” — Tom Mazzie, West Bay Shore, New York
“We decided that we wanted a pergola when we built our house two years ago. And we knew that we were going to spend a ton of time out here in the backyard with our young kids. We wanted a ton of memories here.” — Valerie and David Osmond, Cedar Hills, Utah
“We entertain a lot, so we have people around quite a bit. It was important to have shade somewhere in the backyard because we didn’t have any at all, and just a space for people to spend time.” — Gina Piper, Pleasanton, California
“Deb wanted a gazebo that you could ship out on the back of a truck. I didn’t think that this piece of property would be suited for that. So I started searching online.” — Carl White, Columbus, Georgia
What Did They Think When They First Saw the Kits?
“I was like, ‘Wow!’ I love the look of it, the chunkiness of it. It just looked so rich to me.” — Maria Mazzie, West Bay Shore, New York
“Fortunately we were referred to Western Timber Frame.” — Valerie Osmond
“It looked like they had the best product.” — Shaun Farrell, Pleasanton, California
What Was the Design Process Like?
“What’s nice is they guide you to the size that would be best for our yard. They can do custom orders. They have kits that are already certain sizes.” — Valerie Osmond, Cedar Hills, Utah
“[Our design manager] spent a tremendous amount of time with me on the phone. We sent pictures back and forth, and sketches and such. It is a good design process. I felt pretty confident that it was going to turn out well.” — Shaun Farrell
“[Our design manager] not only came through working with us on budget, but he got this job done and delivered to us in less than four weeks.” — Tom Mazzie
“And the guys from Western Timber Frame were so helpful.” — Debbie White, Columbus, Georgia
Why Was the Mazzie Pavilion So Special?
For the Mazzie family, the pavilion was about a promise. Their daughter Melina was diagnosed with hypoplastic MDS and received a life-saving bone marrow transplant from one of her brothers in September 2010. Every year since, the family has kept a promise to celebrate with an open house party, and the five-year mark was the big one.
“The big party is the five year. That’s when they tell you as a bone marrow patient that if things don’t change, you will be good for the rest of your life.” — Tom Mazzie
Their 16′ × 20′ pavilion and 11′ × 13′ pergola went up in time for the celebration, and later hosted Melina’s sweet sixteen.
How Long Did Installation Take?
“The great thing about Western Timber Frame is that they can also install.” — Valerie Osmond
“In less than two hours they had this entire structure up. It went up so smooth.” — Tom Mazzie
“They gave us the option, too. They said you can install this if you like or you can contract it out, but we felt comfortable going with their guys. It took what, four hours? Five hours?” — David Osmond
“Less than that, maybe. Just three to four hours.” — Valerie Osmond
“They sent their guys down here to erect it. And within three days we went from bare ground to this structure.” — Debbie and Carl White
“It took me literally maybe four or five hours to put everything together after I got the lift and got the posts set. So it went together very, very easily and everything fit perfectly. The ease of putting it together with those tapered dovetail joints.” — Shaun Farrell
“He could have had someone come out and build it, or he could have built it from scratch, but this was a perfect combination of both.” — Gina Piper
How Do the Families Feel About Their Structures Now?
“I am really happy with the way it turned out. I just think it’s such a beautiful pergola. We’ve gotten so many compliments, and we couldn’t be more happy.” — Valerie Osmond
“Everybody that looks at it is blown away by the quality of it. They can’t believe that it actually came in a kit.” — Shaun Farrell
“It’s so high quality and it’s so beautiful.” — Gina Piper
“We’ve had so many people come up here and see this place, and they just can’t believe this structure.” — Debbie White
“We love it. It is the perfect addition to our property.” — Tom Mazzie
The Whites’ Georgia Property
What Other Projects Look Like These?
Questions About the Plan-to-Install Experience
How long does it take to install a timber kit?
These families saw installs of under two hours, three to four hours, and four to five hours for a do-it-yourself pavilion, with a larger custom gazebo project going from bare ground to finished in three days.
Can Western Timber Frame install the kit for me?
Yes. You can install it yourself, hire your own contractor, or have Western Timber Frame’s crew install it.
Are the kits only standard sizes?
No. There are kits in set sizes, and the design team also helps guide you to the right size for your yard and can do custom orders.
How long does delivery take?
It depends on the season and the project. One family received their custom pavilion and pergola in less than four weeks.
What do homeowners say about the quality?
Families describe being blown away, with visitors who cannot believe the structure came as a kit.
Western Timber Frame has designed, handcrafted, and delivered more than 7,000 outdoor structures in all 50 states since 2008. See how fast a DIY shade structure goes up and timber pavilions, or request a free design consultation and call 877-870-8755.
Western Timber Frame™ — Payson, Utah | Since 2008 | 7,000+ structures in all 50 states
2026 SBA Manufacturing Award | HGTV Design Excellence Award | 28 Best of State Awards
