Neil Frost, owner-manager of Timber Transitions, manufacturers of handcrafted bush huts, has had more than his share of challenges delivering houses to off-the-track locations, including up hillsides and out over rock ledges. ‘My tilt-tray driver keeps telling me “you’ve set the bar up there, but don’t go any higher”, but I keep going that next step,’ said Neil with a chuckle.
Mostly however, delivery is straightforward. Everything is pre-fabbed at the company's base in Darra, Qld. Taking a cabin to its new home is simply ‘a matter of folding up the verandahs and loading the lot onto a tilt-tray and it’s off we go’, said Neil.
Neil has been a carpenter/builder all his life but five years ago established his business making handbuilt cabins that are modelled on traditional bush dwellings, but with all the mod cons. The feel is homely and comfortable and the natural look and colour of wood is highlighted. There are completely off-the-grid, 100% solar with generator back-up options available to ensure those who live within will never be without power.
Neil designs with the aid of a white board, noting down features and refinements as they come to him until the final plan is determined. The cabin on display at the recent Maleny Expo featured Neil’s new fireplace alcove design. Many features such as storage, kitchen cupboards, and even some furniture is built-in as the design makes the most efficient use of available space.
Neil has a team of six who have all the required skills however it's still Neil who decides where a certain piece of timber or live-edged slab will be placed to get the effect he wants.
The wood used is sustainably sourced. ‘I don’t like chopping down any trees down, I love trees’, said Neil, explaining how most of the blue gum and ironbark he uses is salvaged and some is also recycled. Logs are bought and slabbed by contractors and brought back to Darra on Neil’s flat-bed truck. Talking to Neil, it's clear that building houses to order is a vocation he truly enjoys.
More information at www.timbertransitions.com.au or phone Neil on 0415 297 841.