Structural Framing in Big Lake, MN

Where Every Load Has a Clear Path to the Ground

Every stud, header and truss connector in Sherburne County answers to a 115 mph ultimate design wind and a 50 psf ground snow load under the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code. Curtis C Contracting LLC provides structural framing in Big Lake, MN, Becker and Zimmerman: new-construction walls and floors, addition and garage framing, bearing-wall removal with engineered beams, storm and fire rebuild framing, roof and truss setting, exterior sheathing and weather barrier, and rough openings for windows and doors.


Before the first plate goes down we read the engineered plans, check the foundation for square and level, and confirm the lumber is KD19 stock at 19 percent moisture or drier. We carry Minnesota residential building contractor license BC808587 and BBB A+ accreditation, offer 24-hour emergency response when a storm or fire opens up a structure, and bring 30 years of framing and finish work to every wall we stand. Quotes are free, so request one through our contact page.

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Structural Framing We Complete

  • New-Construction Wall and Floor Framing

    Floor systems, walls and roof structure go up in plan order, starting from a foundation checked for square. Studs run 16 inches on center as the baseline, plates are lapped at corners, and every bearing point lands on solid blocking.

  • Addition and Garage Framing

    Tying new framing into an existing house means matching floor heights, opening the rim joist and carrying the roof load to new footings at 42 inches. Garage walls get anchor bolts at 6-foot spacing, and attached garages receive code-required fire separation.

  • Bearing-Wall Removal and Header Sizing

    Opening a kitchen usually means removing a wall carrying the floor above, so we shore both sides, set the engineered LVL or steel beam, and land it on king and jack studs sized per IRC Table R602.7 and blocked to the footing.

  • Storm and Fire Rebuild Framing

    After a tornado, tree strike or house fire, remaining framing gets judged member by member. We sister cracked joists, replace charred or water-damaged studs and rafters, re-square racked walls, and document the work for the adjuster's file before drywall goes back.

  • Roof and Truss Setting

    Trusses arrive engineered for the 50 psf snow load, so we set each plumb, brace per the layout sheet and tie every heel to the top plate with a connector rated for 175 pounds of uplift. Stick-framed roofs follow the span tables.

  • Sheathing, Weather Barrier and Rough Openings

    Wall sheathing goes on with the nailing schedule the wind rating demands, followed by a housewrap lapped shingle-style and taped at the seams. Rough openings follow the window and door schedule, with sill pans and jack studs ready for the installer.

Why Choose Us for Framing

Engineered Plans Followed, Not Guessed At

Beam sizes, header spans and connector schedules come from the engineer's sheet, and we build to it, not from habit. When a field condition does not match the drawing, we stop, photograph it and get a revised detail before cutting.

Moisture-Checked Lumber Before Drywall

Drywall hung over wet framing cracks at the joints and pops nails as the studs shrink, so we meter the lumber and delay drywall until readings hit 19 percent or lower. KD19 stock arrives that way, but a rainy week changes that.

Temporary Shoring That Keeps the Roof Where It Is

Removing a bearing wall without shoring lets the floor above sag before the beam goes in, and that sag never comes back. We build temporary walls either side of the cut, carry the load to the foundation, and only then pull studs.

Rough Openings Sized for the Windows You Ordered

Your window and door order sets the rough opening, not a rule of thumb, so we frame each opening to the manufacturer's spec with matching jack studs, header and sill. A quarter inch of slop means shims or a returned unit.

Inspection Scheduling Built Into the Timeline

Framing inspections get booked before the last wall is sheathed, because a missed slot idles the electrician, plumber and HVAC subtrades behind us. We stage the rough-in walkthrough, correct any punch items the same day, and keep the schedule moving toward drywall.

Cutoffs Sorted and the Slab Swept Nightly

Nail-embedded cutoffs and loose plate stock left on a slab are how people get hurt on framing sites, so we sweep nightly and sort scrap into a dumpster. Salvageable lengths get stacked for blocking, which also trims your lumber bill.

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Square, Plumb and Ready for the Inspector's Stamp

Everything that follows framing, from drywall seams to door swing to how the roof sheds a 50 psf snow load, depends on walls that are square and plumb and a load path that runs unbroken to the footing. Curtis C Contracting LLC frames new homes, additions, garages and storm and fire rebuilds in Big Lake, MN with engineered plans in hand, moisture-metered lumber and connectors rated for the wind this county sees. If you are planning an addition, opening up a bearing wall, or rebuilding after a loss, we are glad to walk the site, review the drawings and put a number on the work. Request a free quote through our contact page and we will set a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use 24-inch stud spacing on an exterior wall?

    On a single-story wall or the top story of a taller house, yes, provided studs stay within height limits: 2x4 at 24 inches tops out at 8 feet, 2x6 at 24 inches reaches 12 feet. Bearing points above still need checking.

  • How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?

    Load usually rides on walls that run perpendicular to the floor joists above, sit over a beam or wall below, or stack under a truss bearing point. Confirm it by checking the attic or basement for what lands on the wall.

  • What size header do I need over a wide opening?

    Sizing depends on span, load and species: 6 feet under one floor may take a doubled 2x10, while 10 feet under roof and floor needs an LVL. Curtis C. Contracting sizes headers in Big Lake, MN from code tables or an engineer's letter.

  • What is the difference between a king stud and a jack stud?

    King studs run full height, plate to plate, on each side of an opening, while jack studs are cut shorter and stand inside the kings to carry the header. The header's weight travels down the jacks, so wider openings get extra jacks.

  • Why are precut studs 92-5/8 inches?

    Precut studs are 92-5/8 inches so a wall with one bottom plate and a doubled top plate finishes at 97-1/8 inches, leaving room for 1/2-inch ceiling drywall, two 4-foot sheets on the wall and a gap at the floor.

  • When do rafters need hurricane ties?

    Minnesota's residential code requires every truss-to-plate connection to carry at least 175 pounds of uplift, so trusses get a rated connector at each bearing point regardless of geometry. Stick-framed rafters need ties wherever toenails alone cannot resist the 115 mph design wind.

  • How long does framing a house take?

    Weeks, not days, depending on size, roof complexity and trusses versus stick framing; a single-story ranch frames faster than a two-story with a cut roof. Curtis C. Contracting sequences framing in Big Lake, MN around truss lead times, lumber delivery and inspections.

  • Can fire-damaged framing be reused?

    Sometimes. Shallow surface charring can be scraped, sealed and left in place if the remaining cross-section still meets the span requirement, but members with deep char, warping or heat-cracked ends get replaced. An engineer or inspector makes the call on borderline pieces.