Avoid timber supply issues

Having just come out of a dispute situation where the wrong product was used for a high-value job, I thought I should write this article. This is so, wherever possible, nobody should experience the grief and pain both sides have experienced, to say nothing of the loss of money and goodwill that may never be recovered.

Whenever situations like this occur, the usual course is for the client, the timber user, to seek redress from the timber supplier to recover costly re-supply or repair expenses. The supplier, including us at Bowens, will then investigate the circumstances surrounding the supply to determine who may be at fault, always approaching the process in a spirit of goodwill.

From experience, history shows that in 8 or 9 out of 10 cases, the timber supplier is not at fault. That said, there have been occasions where we have been responsible, and we’re prepared to accept the consequences when that happens. What does become abundantly clear, regardless of who is at fault, is that there are no real winners, especially when the gap between both sides is too wide to bridge.

Some basic things that should be taken into account when identifying an appropriate product:

If the product is used internally or externally
Is it exposed or not?
The desired finish
Is it cost-effective?
Is it available within the desired timeframe?
Is durability a concern?
Is high structural integrity important?

With the above in mind, I thought I would write my last article for 2025, offering free advice for the year ahead, which may help avoid product liability issues wherever possible. In many cases, including a recent example, the problem arose because an inappropriate product was specified, while a more suitable, fit-for-purpose option was dismissed for being outside the client’s budget. It turned out that the remedial costs were more than the cost of a new product.

If you require free advice, please reach out to me, particularly when a project is on the drawing board table, and there may be special or large timbers involved. As well, there may be times when I suggest a more cost-effective alternative that is available.

Along with any advice, I would give reasons why I believe a nominated product should be used. Perhaps, if practical, an in-person or on-site meeting might be appropriate.

Please be aware that any advice given is in goodwill, hoping you do not experience post-installation problems. Accordingly, others may have a different point of view, so it could be prudent to seek another opinion.

Feel free to contact me via email: Jeff.Harvey@bowens.com.au

Getting the Right Timber Product

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