Your preferred way to shop for Structural Softwood Carcassing Timber?

[LikeMyHome]

Hello everybody,

What is most effective way to buy softwood Carcassing Timber (C24)? (needed for loft conversion). Assuming that you know the sizes (cross-section and length) and number of items for each unit.

1. Ordering online?
2. Calling the merchant and placing order over the phone?
3. Going to the shop and ordering in store?

The question may seem naive but it's not:

E.g., it turns out most of timber/building merchants have extremely poor usability websites - no (or very primitive) way of sorting and filtering, just listing products. Many only have "quote request" form - no prices, no delivery time or charges, no availability info.

What is your preferred way and why? Also if you can suggest any merchants you dealt and happy with (availability, speed of delivery, price etc) that would be great. We're based in Nottingham if that matters.

Thank you

 

[^woody^]

www.selcobw.com . You will need a trade account. They have a Nottingham branch and ordering is simple enough.

Wickes seems OK too

Unless you visit and sort the timber yourself, there is always a risk of getting bananas, or the end ones from the pallet with strap indents and chips from the forklift.

 

[LikeMyHome]

Thanks for suggestion - checked wickes, unfortunately they only sell up to 3m in length and up to 100mm wide, and we need longer (5.2 m max) and wider (225mm). But will visit other merchants stores and select.

 

[LikeMyHome]

actual I was wrong - wickes sells Sawn Kiln Dried C24 up to 4.8m and 195mm wide, still a bit undersized for us though.

 

[kingandy2nd]

I look online to get prices for timber and then go to my local merchant...they’re good at looking to match prices, or being competitive.

selco website is good as is builderdepot.

For example I ordered all my timber, Osb and insulation for my flat roofs at the weekend. Priced up online at £1,765...my local timber merchant was £1,800, which for me was close enough not to bother to haggle It’s all coming on Friday and I’ve supported a local company.

 

[LikeMyHome]

Thanks for the merchants I'll check them.I'll try your approach

 

[oldbutnotdead]

MKM are reasonable on timber, best going to the branch, the website isn't the best.

 

[Ian H]

I’d go there and pick it or expect them to load up all the bent length that get tossed to the side.

 

[johnny2007]

Hitchcock and king are my preferred source of timber.
Very rarely they deliver "bananas" and when it happens they happily take it off the bill or exchange it.
If you go at the counter you get better prices in my experience.

 

[whatsthenews]

www.selcobw.com . You will need a trade account. They have a Nottingham branch and ordering is simple enough.

Wickes seems OK too

Unless you visit and sort the timber yourself, there is always a risk of getting bananas, or the end ones from the pallet with strap indents and chips from the forklift.

had a few bananas and imprinted/dented plasterboard/insulated plasterboard