What a House Framing Scope of Work Actually Covers
Scope disputes are where framing relationships go bad. This is the standard scope structure GMR works from — published so builders and homeowners know what a complete structural framing package looks like before the first bid conversation. On any project, the itemized bid is the binding scope.
The structure: what framing includes
- Floor systems — sill plates, beams, joists or I-joists, rim board, blocking, bridging, and subfloor sheathing, glued and fastened.
- Wall framing — plates, studs, headers, corners, backing, shear-wall nailing per the plans, and exterior wall sheathing.
- Roof structure — roof trusses set and braced (or stick framing where designed), ridge and valley members, LVL/steel beams per engineering, and roof decking.
- Structural hardware — hurricane straps and clips, hold-downs, hangers, and anchors, installed per the sealed plans and the manufacturer’s schedules.
- Stairs and specialty framing — stair stringers and platforms, dropped ceilings, soffits, and framed openings.
Labor-only vs. turnkey
Framing subcontracts come in two shapes. In a labor-only package, the builder supplies lumber and hardware and the framing crew supplies labor, supervision, tools, and equipment. In a turnkey package, the framing contractor also carries the material takeoff and supply. Both are common in the Savannah market; GMR bids either way — what matters is that the bid states it explicitly, so nobody discovers the difference at the lumber drop.
“Dried-in” — the milestone that matters
A framing scope ends at a defined milestone, usually dried-in: structure complete, roof decked, and the building weathertight enough for downstream trades to start. GMR commits to a dried-in date in the bid and coordinates the framing inspection so the schedule holds.
What framing does not include
Windows and exterior doors, roofing shingles or membrane, siding, insulation, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) rough-ins are separate trades — though GMR also offers siding and trim carpentry as separate scopes. If you want a single point of responsibility for the whole build, that’s our custom home program.