“My Timber Structures life began as a personal endeavor that turned into something unexpected…”

Hello. My name is Ben Hunt, and I had a wild idea one day while my wife and I were preparing to build our own home. Our property was full of beautiful Oak timbers and the only flat spot available for the home was full of beautiful trees. Well, we could not imagine turning the trees into firewood or watching a logging company drive off with them, so I did exactly what my wife was probably praying I would NOT do.

Yep, I bought a little sawmill and a very large chainsaw. While I was cutting the trees into Posts and Beams for our house, I fell in love with how beautiful each cut was, and I could not believe I was turning these magnificent trees into our home. I made posts for the inside of the house and posts for the porches, beams for the kitchen and door jambs, as well as sliding barn doors, stair treads, railings, vanity tops for our bathrooms, a rolling slab bar table (for football food), fireplace mantles, and on and on. Clearly, I was hooked, and so were the subcontractors who worked on our house. They encouraged me to show others what we built, and a business was born. People would tell me how beautiful our timber products were, and I would respond with “only God could make something so beautiful, I just cut it so you can see His artwork”. Inspired by my Grandfather Robert Walston, our adventure began.

We first found our footing locally turning other folks’ trees into products for their own homes. We were mainly hand cutting living room and porch timber trusses from Red or White Oak. We bought a small kiln and a large slabbing saw and had a lot of fun turning the really big trees into single slab kitchen tables, vanities, coffee tables, etc. I found it amazing how inspired and excited people would get about getting their tree back as an heirloom piece for the home. This was all a lot of fun, and I had no idea where all this would take us, but change was certainly on the horizon.

A few years ago, I realized I was really good at playing in the sawdust and helping others realize their “timber dreams”, but growing a business was not my thing. It was around this time that a large Timber Frame company asked me to join their team, and I did. I spent a few years on the road meeting great people and talking about timbers and home designs, but the corporate pressure just was not fitting who I am or what my family needed. That leads me to where I am today, which is where I am comfortable. I create relationships. I know pretty much everybody in the timber industry, and I have worked hard building good relationships with great people. What I do with those industry peers is connect my new potential customers with the sources they need to get the Timber Structure they desire. I am a bit like a Realtor; you tell me what you want, and I’ll connect you with who you NEED and who I TRUST! Getting a timber home or a giant wedding barn for example can be fun, but it can also be confusing and more expensive than it needs to be. Trust me, there sharks in the water, and like a good Realtor, I will keep you from getting bitten.

When you are ready for a good “Timber Structures” conversation and education, call me direct at (417) 522-9000. I will not pass you off to somebody else. Rather, I will be in your corner from start to finish. I will help you with (or connect you to) the right people for drawings, engineering, materials, aesthetics, options, freight, timelines, installation, all of it! I am ready to help you understand the path ahead. Just let me know when you are ready.

Have a blessed day!

-Ben

General Contracting Services

If you are planning to build near Southern Missouri, Northern Arkansas, or Eastern Oklahoma, I can be your General Contractor. Over the years, I have built many Timber Structures in the area, and I would be happy to give you a tour of a few. I am easy to work with, and I will help make your building experience rewarding and enjoyable. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at 417-522-9000.

Building Services

If you are outside of my area, I can still help you build your Timber Home or Structure. I can help you source a designer that is right for you, all your Timber Materials, your engineering, etc. I can also help you find a good builder and Timber Installer no matter your location. I will even go as far as visiting with you at your building location wherever that may be. Kicking rocks with you, discussing slope, soil conditions, and knocking in stakes in the ground would be no problem.