Faster project timelines with wood framing: How smart builders save time in multifamily projects
When you’re managing a multifamily project, time is more than just money, it’s momentum. Every extra week on the schedule adds costs, delays revenue, and ties up crews that could be moving on to the next site. That’s why the construction industry has been taking a closer look at something that’s been around forever but keeps proving its value: wood framing.
For general contractors, developers, and project managers in Massachusetts and beyond, wood framing is a traditional building method but is also a proven strategy for keeping projects efficient, flexible, and profitable. Whether you’re putting up six-unit townhomes or 30-unit apartment buildings, wood delivers the speed, scalability, and predictability that heavy materials like steel or concrete can’t always match.
Speed starts with simplicity
The biggest advantage of wood framing is how straightforward it is. Wood is light, easy to cut, and flexible on-site, which means crews can move faster and adjust when needed without waiting for special equipment or fabrication.
Unlike steel or concrete, there’s no curing time, no long lead times for specialized materials, and no heavy cranes required for every beam or panel. Once the materials are delivered, work begins almost immediately, walls go up, floors are framed, and in just a few weeks, the building starts to take shape.
That simplicity translates directly into shorter project timelines. Multifamily buildings using wood framing can often be completed several weeks, sometimes even months, faster than comparable steel or concrete structures. The reason is simple: lighter material, easier logistics, and the ability to run multiple crews simultaneously without waiting on the critical path.
It brings on-site efficiency
We’ve seen this firsthand across several of our Massachusetts projects. In Somerville, for example, we completed the full framing of a 29-unit, 25,000-square-foot framing apartment building in just 12 weeks. That included exterior walls, floors, and coordination with mechanical rough-ins, all while staying perfectly aligned with the developer’s aggressive schedule.
Why experienced framing partners make the difference
The material itself gives you a head start, but the real difference comes from experience. Framing large-scale, multi-unit buildings efficiently requires a partner who understands sequencing, coordination, and communication across multiple trades.
Our team’s process focuses on pre-planning, daily progress tracking, and direct collaboration with General Contractors and site supers. We don’t just show up and start nailing; we work with your schedule and your strategy to make sure framing accelerates your entire construction flow, not just our portion.
When we say we can frame a 25,000 sq ft, 29-unit building in 12 weeks, it’s because we already did it.
Faster doesn’t mean riskier
There’s a misconception that “fast” construction means sloppy work. In reality, smart construction is fast construction, and wood framing makes that possible.
With the right planning and the right partner, wood delivers quality, speed, and value in one package. It shortens schedules, controls costs, and creates flexibility in a market where every week counts.
For general contractors, developers, and project managers in Massachusetts looking to stay competitive and keep projects moving, wood framing isn’t just a reliable choice. It’s the one that helps you finish stronger and get to the next job faster.
Partner with Lifetime Contractors
Tell us what you’re building, and we’ll show you how our team can help with framing, siding, roofing, and decking.
We’d appreciate learning more about your project and exploring how we can collaborate with you. Ask for your free estimate today.










