House Builder Insights

Think Timber offers knowledge and advice to House builders so that you’re able to understand the nuances of our industry. We supply high-quality timber products to major staircase manufacturers throughout the UK.

Challenging You to ‘Check Your Spec’

Our team plays a crucial role in the creation of staircases for new build houses and our goal is to ensure excellence for this undervalued area of our homes.

Shopping around for the lowest price can lead to a decrease in quality and stifle innovation. We are committed to working towards the greater good of the industry by promoting high standards and consistency. So we invite you to take up our challenge:

When was the last time you checked your staircase specification?

Most specs we see are outdated, work from historic engineering practices and often ask for endangered timber species.

We want to empower you to make informed decisions and increase the value of your building developments. This starts with getting your specifications right from the off and ensuring your supply partners follow it without adding their own interpretations.

Is Your Specification Up To Date?

Building houses and managing many suppliers and subcontractors is a complex task. The staircase is a vital component that requires special attention, however we often find it is overlooked. Despite it being the first thing you see when you walk into a home, it’s not given the level of care and attention that a kitchen or bathroom would have.

Using multiple suppliers for staircase components and not having a very clear specification can lead to several challenges:

Not Following Specifications: Each supplier may mis-interpret and evolve your original specification, leading to confusion and potential construction issues.
Evaluating True Cost: Driving down price on specs can lead to poorly manufactured products and lower quality components used to make a staircase.
Inconsistent Quality and Materials: Unless materials are stated clearly, different suppliers may provide varying standards of quality to try and save costs.
Lack of Brand Consistency: With multiple suppliers adapting your original spec, maintaining a consistent brand image becomes difficult.

The Problem with Poor Specs…

We see it all the time, you send the same price driven spec to all suppliers but end up with vastly different end results. This poses a problem for brand consistency and quality control.

The reason is most specs aren’t specific enough. They dictate price, measurements, sizes and sometimes materials – but they don’t determine the quality of timber or the base of primed finish.

Poor quality timber as a base material has led to some white primed staircases having knot bleed-through a few years after fitting. Not what you want to see as soon as you walk into your new home!

Lack of Joined-Up Thinking Throughout the Chain

One of the significant challenges in the construction industry is the lack of joined-up thinking across the supply chain. This disconnect leads to inefficiencies and quality issues.

At Think Timber, we encourage a collaborative approach:

Benchmarking Quality: Establish clear benchmarks for quality and performance to ensure consistency across projects, sites and suppliers.
Encouraging Collaboration: Foster collaboration between purchasing, quantity surveyors, site managers and suppliers to create a seamless supply chain.
Specification Assistance: Let us help you with your specifications to ensure you get the best materials and avoid common issues like knot bleed-through and inadequate material quality.

We Offer Modern, On-Trend Solutions

In modern home design, every element, including the staircase, should reflect contemporary trends. Unfortunately, staircases are often an afterthought in the design process.

Collaborating with leading builders, we provide solutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also meet the latest building regulations and environmental standards.

Our products are designed to:

Appeal to Modern Tastes: Offering sleek, simple decor that aligns with current trends.
Ensure Durability: Stand up to rigorous use while maintaining their beauty.
Support Environmental Goals: Use sustainably sourced materials to reduce environmental impact.

Education & Resources

Our Industry Insights page serves as a valuable reference for house builders, helping you understand the importance of quality timber and make informed decisions about your suppliers and designs. Stay updated with the latest trends and sustainable practices in timber products.

Here are a few tips on evaluating timber quality and supplier reliability:

Check for Certifications: Ensure your timber is sourced from certified, sustainable forests.
Brand Consistency: Do your suppliers all work to the same spec so your end product is the same across each site.
Inspect Quality: Look for signs of high-quality timber, such as uniform grain and minimal defects.
Consider Longevity: Choose timber that is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear.
Suitability for Volume Manufacturing: Ensure specifications meet the needs of large-scale production without compromising on quality.

Social Responsibility

Sustainability doesn’t do our approach justice. We’re here to ensure social responsibility runs through the whole supply chain: from economic sustainability all the way through to the responsible use of raw materials.

People

The constant price pinch is damaging the staircase manufacturing industry, squeezing profits and ultimately putting firms out of business. We believe in creating a strong and empowered supply chain that collaborates for the benefit of all.

Planet

We are dedicated to sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly practices. Our timber comes from responsibly managed forests, ensuring that each product contributes to a greener supply chain.

We’re also committed to educating our construction partners on how to create specifications with sustainability at top of mind, including certifications for ESG’s and EPD’s.