Timber Framing in Western Switzerland

A roof frame is the structure, most often made of wood, that carries the roof and holds it in place against the weight of the covering, snow and wind. The works range from repairing a tired beam to building a new structure for an extension. On sos-travaux.ch, you describe your project online; the request is passed to craftspeople and firms in your area, who contact you to prepare a free, no-obligation quote.

What the timber framer’s trade covers in Western Switzerland

The timber framer designs, cuts, assembles and fits wooden structural elements. The roof remains the best-known field, but the trade is broader: staircases, floors, timber-frame houses, balconies, pergolas, eaves, garden sheds, structures for raising a building.

The most common works on a house, an apartment building or a chalet are the following:

• repairing or replacing damaged pieces (rafters, purlins, beams, tie beams);
• strengthening a structure that has become insufficient after a conversion;
• complete renovation of an old roof frame before redoing the covering;
• raising a building or creating habitable attic space;
• opening a dormer window or fitting a roof window, which requires altering the frame;
• building a new roof frame for an extension or a garage;
• treating the wood against damp, fungi or insects.

The timber framer often works alongside other trades: roofer, sheet-metal worker, insulation fitter, mason. In your request, say whether you expect a single point of contact or whether you already have someone for the covering.

When to call a timber framer rather than wait

A roof frame ages slowly, which tempts people to put the works off. Some signs, however, should not wait:

• a persistent water leak, which soaks the wood and encourages rot;
• a beam that visibly sags or a ridge that is dropping;
• tunnels, wood dust or insect holes in the timbers;
• cracks that widen with the seasons;
• a project that changes the use of the attic: insulation, living space, roof window.

In this last case, you need to make sure the existing structure will bear the additional load. A roof frame designed for a cold loft has not necessarily been sized for a habitable floor and thick insulation.

After a storm or heavy snowfall, a visual check by a professional is wise, even if nothing seems out of the ordinary from inside. Never climb onto a roof alone to assess the damage: it is work at height and carries real risks.

Roof frames in Switzerland: training, standards and rules of the trade

In Switzerland, the timber framer normally completes an apprenticeship and obtains a federal certificate of competence (CFC, certificat fédéral de capacité) as a timber framer. This qualification attests to basic training; it is not a promise of results: how serious a firm is shows in its quote, its verifiable references and the way it answers your questions.

Roof frame works are subject to the general rules of construction: safety of people, stability of the structure, fire protection, respect for neighbours. The technical details, permissible loads and choice of timber sections are for the professional who carries out the calculation; do not try to set them yourself in your request. Your role is to describe the building, the need and the constraints you know about.

Permits, energy and heritage from one canton to another

Western Switzerland does not work as a single block: the procedure changes from one canton to another and sometimes from one municipality to another. Here is what you should know, with the constant advice to check with your municipality or the competent cantonal office before starting the works.

Geneva. Building permits are issued by the canton, through the Office des autorisations de construire (building permits office). On energy, the cantonal energy law (LEn) and the cantonal energy office (OCEN) frame the subject, and the subsidies of the Buildings Programme in Geneva depend on them. Many rental buildings are managed by property managers (régies), who are then your contacts for a roof; the old town and protected districts add requirements.

Vaud. The building permit is issued by the municipality, the file going through the cantonal permits centre (CAMAC) when State services need to give an opinion. The Vaud energy law and the cantonal energy directorate apply, with a cantonal subsidy programme. The old towns and the Lavaux vineyards, a World Heritage site, call for particular attention to the appearance of roofs.

Valais. The building permit is issued by the municipality within the building zone, and by a cantonal commission outside it. The cantonal energy and hydropower service and its subsidy programme come into play for energy aspects. For chalets and second homes, the federal law on second homes may apply in the municipalities concerned.

Fribourg. Permit applications go through the cantonal platform FRIAC, the permit being issued by the prefecture or the municipality depending on the type of works. The cantonal energy service runs a subsidy programme. The canton is bilingual and has protected old towns.

Neuchâtel. The cantonal one-stop shop SATAC receives building permit applications, the decision being made by the municipality. The cantonal energy and environment service is the contact for energy, with a subsidy programme. The watchmaking heritage of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, listed by UNESCO, makes roof projects more sensitive within those perimeters.

Jura. The building permit is issued by the municipality or the canton depending on the size of the project. The cantonal energy section offers a subsidy programme. The old towns of Delémont, Porrentruy and Saint-Ursanne are a reason to seek information early if your building is located there.

Biel/Bienne and the canton of Bern. The permit is issued by the municipality or the prefecture depending on the project. The cantonal office for the environment and energy runs the Bernese subsidy programme. Biel/Bienne is officially bilingual, French and German: a local craftsperson can therefore answer you in either language.

For raising a building, changing the pitch or insulating a roof in a way that alters its external appearance, a permit is likely. For energy grants, find out before you sign the contract: the conditions of award may require a prior application.

Preparing your roof frame quote request

The more precise your description, the more comparable the quotes will be from one firm to another. If possible, gather:

• the type of building (detached house, apartment building, chalet, outbuilding) and its approximate age;
• the exact location, since access and the canton influence the procedure;
• photos of the roof frame, the damage and the surroundings of the building;
• what you want: repair, strengthen, replace, extend;
• the known constraints: protected building, co-ownership, tenants present, difficult access for a lorry or crane;
• whether insulation or a covering is planned straight afterwards.

If you are a tenant, attach the landlord’s agreement. In co-ownership, the roof is generally a common part: the decision is taken according to the rules of the owners’ community, which can lengthen the preparation.

Make your request via the request a quote page. It is passed to craftspeople and firms in the region, who then contact you; you are under no obligation to sign.

Reading a roof frame quote and understanding what makes the cost vary

A serious quote is not just a total sum. It details what is included and what is not:

• the description of the works, item by item;
• the type and quality of the wood, its treatment and its origin if stated;
• labour and materials, shown separately;
• scaffolding, crane or aerial platform, and their installation;
• removal and disposal of the old structure;
• any related works: sheet-metal work, covering, insulation;
• the formalities that are your responsibility or the firm’s;
• the payment terms and the period of validity of the offer.

Several factors make the cost vary without it being possible to estimate it remotely:

• the extent of the structure to be repaired or redone;
• the real condition of the wood, often discovered once the covering has been removed;
• the complexity of the roof: multiple slopes, dormer windows, valleys, long spans;
• the accessibility of the site, particularly in the mountains or in an old town;
• the season and the weather, which may require temporary weatherproofing;
• the requirements of heritage rules or the authority, which may steer the choice of materials;
• related services, such as insulation or the covering.

Ask for details on unforeseen items: what happens if pieces turn out to be more damaged than expected once the roof is opened up? A good quote states how additional works will be announced and approved before they are carried out. Comparing several offers only makes sense if they cover the same scope.

Legal warranties on a roof frame

The Code of Obligations (CO) governs the warranty in the event of a defect. For a work on a building, which is the case for a roof frame fixed to the building, the period under art. 371 CO is 5 years. For a movable work, it is 2 years. The starting point is the acceptance of the work.

If the contract refers to the SIA 118 standard, its rules apply within that framework. Before signing, check whether the quote or the general conditions mention it.

Inspect the work on acceptance and report any defect you notice in writing. Keep the contract, the quote, the invoices and the photos. For disputed cases, legal advice or an association defending tenants or owners can guide you.

Roof framing near you: pages by canton

Pages dedicated to a town for this trade are not yet available. To find local information, start from the page for your canton:

• canton of Geneva
• canton of Vaud
• canton of Valais
• canton of Fribourg
• canton of Neuchâtel
• canton of Jura
• canton of Bern

Whichever region you are in, the process is the same: describe your project on the request a quote page, then compare the replies from the craftspeople who contact you.