Correct, timber is expensive here - particularly over the last 3 years - but I believe a timber frame construction is still a little lower than a brick contraction in cost. SIPs (structurally insulated panels) are more expensive than brick, but I suspect that more to do with available expertise and the need for expensive cranes. (As an aside its fascinating visiting France where every house building site has a crane, none do here)

But many timber frame houses here are still build on massive concrete slabs, and that is still pouring money into the ground. We need to adopt innovations like screw piles that are completely concrete free.