The main difference between them is the speed of erection. A timber-frame house can be completed four or five months faster than brick-and-block, and this can be a major factor in some circumstances.

There should be little or no difference in the insulation properties of each method or in the quality of the finishes or the design. The overall cost of timber-frame houses can often be marginally cheaper than traditional houses and, because the suppliers are generally working to their own designs, any design fees are included in the quoted price.