For Homeowners, Designers, Architects & Builders

We Build Exceptional 
Wood Structures

Crafted to Endure, Built for Generations.

Richard Mulligan, Dublin

The team are very talented woodworkers, honest, reliable and trustworthy. They offer great value for a standard of work which is very hard to find these days.”

Join our 5-Star Clients from private modern homes to heritage restoration estates.

You bring the vision.
We shape the structure and build it with care to stand for generations.

We craft timber structures that hold their place in the landscape and in time.
From post and beam frames and vaulted roofs to bespoke trusses, full home structures, workshops, and estate buildings. From castle roofs and protected structures to sensitive conservation work where every detail must honour what came before.

We understand proportion. We understand load paths. We understand history. And we understand that once timber is raised, it carries your name with it.


Every beam is considered. Every joint is deliberate. Every structure is built with the confidence that it will outlast trends and stand firm after the work is done.

Designed, cut, and fitted by the same hands. Built properly from the very beginning in Ireland. Rooted in Wicklow, serving Leinster and beyond with care, precision, and pride.

The Hard Truth About Building in Ireland Today

The Hard Truth About Building in Ireland Today
Let’s be honest, building or designing anything in Ireland today is harder than it’s ever been, and far harder than it should be.

From no-shows and broken promises to hidden costs and chaos on site, too many homeowners and professionals end up managing headaches instead of creating something lasting.

* This observations are gathered from public industry reviews across Ireland.

Skilled Builders Are Scarce

“We put up with the extreme delays and not showing up… quality craftspeople are booked out or gone.” *

You’re left settling for whoever will turn up, even when you’ve paid for the premium.

Budgets Spiral Out of Control

“They went nine months over schedule, constant lies… then left us with bad work.” *

Quotes quietly double when “extras” sneak in, leaving you chasing clarity on costs you never planned for.

Flat-Pack Regret

Many kits promise turn-key convenience but deliver thin timbers, poor weatherproofing, and zero soul. Glorified sheds, not structures you’d invite people into or expect to last generations.

How We Work Differently

We’ve seen what goes wrong in the trade: missed days, vague quotes, corners cut. You shouldn’t have to chase builders, second-guess budgets, or settle for work that won’t last.
So we built Vault & Beam to do it properly from day one.

Fixed pricing

No surprises. No hidden extras. You get a clear quote upfront, and that's what you pay.

Communication first

Clear drawings, mock-ups, scheduled updates, and full sign-off before we build. You'll always know what's happening and when.

Prefabricated Post & beam Systems & Trusses

Precision-made off-site for faster, cleaner installation on-site. Built to last generations, not just pass inspection.

Whether you’re a homeowner, architect, engineer, or builder, our job is simple: take the stress off your shoulders and deliver work you can trust.

Meet Vault & Beam

We are a team of Craftsmen, Carpenters, Designers, and Builders, setting the standard for how it should be done.

“I’m James Grace, founder and managing director of Vault & Beam. After decades leading Grace Design, I’ve spent my career crafting bespoke timber architecture across Ireland, from heritage restorations and featured trusses to modern post & beam structures and vaulted roofs.

Vault & Beam is the next step: a team built on honesty, precision, and pride in the craft. We don’t rush jobs or cut corners. We build work that lasts, for people who care about design, detail, and integrity.”

— Founder and Director

When Quality Matters, Details Become Everything

Uncompromising Precision

Every joint, curve, and cut is planned to the millimetre, backed by engineered drawings, tight tolerances, and a finish only true craftsmanship can deliver.

Built to Endure

Vaulted roofs, trusses, and post & beam frames crafted from solid timbers and GLT mass timber, designed to weather Irish conditions, beautiful today, timeless tomorrow.

Excellence Without 
the Noise

No shortcuts, no chaos, only smooth communication, organised delivery, and the peace of mind that comes when true professionals handle your build.

Our Clients Say

Real words from the homeowners, architects, and builders who’ve trusted us to bring their vision to life.

4.6
“As an architect, finding a builder who actually protects design intent is rare. Vault & Beam delivered exactly what was drawn, down to the smallest junction. The craftsmanship is superb.”
lorem
Mark O’Connell

Architect, Wicklow
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4.7
“He is a very talented woodworker, honest, reliable and trustworthy. He offers great value for a standard of work which is very hard to find these days.”
lorem
Richard Mulligan

Homeowner, Dublin
review_04
4.7
“I can't thank you enough, it's brought a whole new element into my life and looks truly beautiful in the garden. I am so lucky and grateful to you for making my dream a reality.”
lorem
Carmel Nolan

Homeowner, Carlow
review_01
4.7
“My only regret is that I didn’t contact Grace Design in time to build my whole house, rather than just my Trusses.”
lorem
Joe Handy

Private Client, Co.Kildare
review_02
4.7
“Working with James from start to finish on our outdoor room has been a wonderful experience. He is a true gentleman and a pleasure to work with.”
lorem
Richard Mulligan

Homeowner, Dublin
review_05

Join our 5-Star Clients, from private modern homes to heritage restoration estates.

How it works

From first call to final fix, we make the process seamless, transparent, and enjoyable, just as building should be.

Book Your Free Consultation

Tell us what you’re planning, a vaulted roof, trusses, a post & beam frame, or a full build extension. We’ll ask the right questions, define the scope, and set expectations early.

We Design, Plan and 
Build it Right

We take you from engineered shop drawings to fabrication and installation. You’ll review every key detail before we cut timber, and you’ll get clear updates as we go. Fixed pricing. No surprises.

Enjoy a Space Built to Last

You get solid or Mass timber, clean lines, and craftsmanship and engineering that holds its value. The build feels calm, the finish feels right, and you’ll know it was done properly from day one.

Frequent Asked Questions

We price properly from the start. Once scope and drawings are agreed, that is the number. If you change the brief, we price the change clearly before moving ahead. No drifting costs. No quiet surprises.

It depends on scale and complexity, but the process is clear. Consultation, drawings and sign off, workshop fabrication, then installation. Smaller structures can move quickly. Larger roofs, heritage works, or HOMLI shells take longer. We give you a realistic programme, not a hopeful one, and we stand over it.

Yes. We respect design intent. Where adjustments are needed for structure or fabrication, we raise them early and coordinate properly. Nothing is altered on site without agreement. The drawings matter, and so does the detail.

Always. We prepare clear workshop drawings for approval before any timber is cut. Every joint and connection is reviewed and signed off. It keeps the project tight and avoids guesswork on site.

We use Irish oak, Douglas fir, larch, pine and sweet chestnut, along with engineered systems such as GLT and CLT where required. Timber is strength graded and responsibly sourced. We build for longevity first. Sustainability follows naturally when something is designed to last generations.

If you’re ready to build something that lasts, let’s talk.

We’ll start with a free design and scope call — no pressure, just a proper chat about your idea.