Timber merchants face a common set of practical questions day in and out. Luckily whether you are trade or DIY, finding out about lead times and cutting options could save a wasted trip to the retail outlet site as well delays on-site with unseen expenses only when orders come in. These are the most frequently asked question, answered in plain English.
What are typical lead times?
It depends on what you are buying and how busy the yard is. Stock items often include CLS, carcassing, fence panels and a wide range of common sheet materials which are normally ready to be collected the same day. Specialist mouldings, some cladding profiles or larger quantities of graded timber are items made-to-order and therefore may take a little more time.
If you have a deadline, when ordering ask two questions;
“Is this in stock right now?”
Otherwise, “When is your supply being delivered?
Do you provide cutting?
Most timber merchants will also cut, but not all with the same accuracy. For instance, some deliver rough cuts so materials can be transported easily and others are capable of cutting sheet material to specific sizes.
It’s worth checking:
Number of free cuts, or chargeable per cut
Largest size sheet that they can manage
Tolerance (how high precision the cuts will be)
If they will cut and re-grade structural timber to length
If I over order timber can I return it?
The returns policies differ, but in most cases the trader will only accept if the timber is:
Resaleable (clean, dry, not cut or damaged)
Returned within a set timeframe
For example, if treated timber has been stored poorly and is stained or warped (or grown mould), then often that’s a no for returns. For a Timber Merchants Bournemouth, visit www.timbco.co.uk/timber-merchants-bournemouth/
How does delivery work?
Typically, delivery is priced by distance (short or long), volume of the order and load/rate requirements. Common questions to ask:
When is your smallest delivery window and do you time deliveries?
Will they deliver kerbside or on the drive?
Will you wait for me to sign and check the order?
Ask about the lorry access (width, height and turning space).
Upon receipt, inspect the items and quantities for obvious damages immediately. Lumber is a natural product, so while small cracks and gentle bends are not an issue, you should immediately notice major splits, severe twists or broken sheets.
The Bottom Line
A quick phone call before you order can head off most problems. Double-check the stock availability, get a handle of how your project will fare with their cutting service (if needed), check on all return policy stipulations and ensure you’re set up to receive delivery onsite so your job should run much more seamlessly.
