Lead Time

What is your current lead time?

The lead time varies from product to product, depending on the volume of orders that we have at any one time for that particular product. An approximate manufacturing lead time is displayed on each individual product page, just underneath the main product title and price.

If you order products that have different lead times, the longest lead time will usually apply.

Why do you have a lead time?

Most of our timber products are manufactured to order and as such incur a lead time. Orders are booked into our production schedule at the point of the order being placed. This leads to a queue of future orders (our order book).

Once an order reaches the front of the queue, the job card will pass to our production department to be manufactured. The manufacturing time depends on the product/s and the production processes required.

What happens if I order products which have different lead times?

If you place an order that has a combination of products with different lead times, the longest lead time will usually apply.

If you would prefer not to delay those products that have a shorter lead time, we would advise that you place a separate order for these.

What is the lead time on your fast track products?

We offer fast track turnaround on our European Oak Skirting Boards and Architrave Sets. These products can be identified by a green “Fast Track” flag in the right hand corner of the product image. Our fast track products are normally ready within one week if ordered unoiled. If an oil finish is specified, this will add an extra few days .

If your order also contains timber products that are not fast track and have a longer lead time, the longest lead time will usually apply.

Orders

What is the quickest way to place an order?

If you require standard products, we would advise that you place your order directly on our online shop wherever possible. Online orders automatically reserve their place in our production schedule. Your payment will be securely processed by either Trust Payments or PayPal.

If your order contains non-standard items please contact us us for pricing and availability.

Can I place an order by phone?

Yes, we will require an address and contact details from you and we will process your payment by card over the phone. You will receive an email confirmation of your order when it has been input onto our system.

When will my order by ready?

This will depend on our current manufacturing lead time for the items on your order. Approximate lead times are displayed on individual product pages prior to purchase.

In a manufacturing environment, sometimes issues beyond our control can stretch out our lead times. Please contact us at delivery@britishhardwoods.co.uk to find out how we are progressing with your order.

How can I check the status of my order?

If you ordered through our website and created an online account, you should be able to log in to your account to check the status of your order. Please be aware that until your order reaches the top of the queue for machining it will remain in the “Processing” state.

In a manufacturing environment, sometimes issues beyond our control can stretch out our lead times. Please contact us at delivery@britishhardwoods.co.uk to find out how we are progressing with your order.

When will my order be delivered?

For orders delivered by Courier Delivery:

The time taken for delivery by courier can vary depending on location. When your order is complete, we will email you to inform you of despatch. The courier will then contact you when they have collected your order from us, to inform you of the expected delivery day.

For orders delivered by Palletways and our own vehicle (BHW Van):

We will email you just as soon as your order is ready to request that you contact us to arrange a convenient delivery day.

My order is complete but I am not ready for it yet, will you store it for me?

Yes, we have plenty of space to store your order until you are ready for it. Our factory is heated and humidity controlled, so the timber will be stored in a similar environment to a normal, centrally heated home.

Just contact us when you’re a little closer to being ready to take delivery and we’ll arrange a convenient delivery day with you.

Products

Is your timber FSC certified?

All the raw timber that we use in the manufacture of our timber products is sustainably sourced from sawmills that are either FSC or PEFC certified.

Where does your timber come from?

Our European Oak is sustainably sourced from the very best sawmills in France. We also supply sustainably sourced American and Canadian hardwoods. The timber in our Native Timber Shop is sourced from around the United Kingdom and the boards are sawn and kiln-dried on site, here in Yorkshire.

What lengths do you supply planed timber in?

Orders of more than 2 metres of any single size will be supplied in random lengths. These random lengths will typically be between 2.4 metres to 3 metres. However, there may be some shorter lengths supplied due to stock availability at the time of machining.

Why can’t you supply planed timber all the same length?

We machine all our timber products from larger rough sawn boards which tend to be around 3 metres in length. During the kiln-drying process, the short ends of the boards naturally develop splits as they dry out. Once machined, we trim the ends of the boards to provide a neat edge and to remove the splits. The amount we need to trim can vary from board to board, depending on the length of the splits. This results in boards that vary in length.

Can I order planed timber in specific lengths?

As the raw timber we machine from is in random lengths, it is extremely difficult for us to produce large orders to specific lengths. We recommend adding plenty of extra onto your total combined length requirements to allow for wastage due to cuts.

If you require the odd board or two in specific lengths, we will endeavour to hand-select boards for you where possible. We won’t cut the boards to individual lengths, we will supply full boards that you can obtain your shorter lengths from. If your project requires timber in specific lengths, contact us with your cutting list so that we can advise on availability and pricing.

What is the widest section of planed timber that you can produce?

In European Oak, we can machine up to a 222mm width at up to a 25mm thickness. Sections wider than this can be biscuit jointed. Please contact us for pricing and availability.

Do you produce non-standard sizes?

If you require sizes that are not listed on our website, please contact us and we’ll let you know whether this is achievable and provide pricing where appropriate.

What lengths are your skirting boards supplied in?

Orders of more than 2 metres of any single size will be supplied in random lengths. These random lengths will typically be between 2.4 metres to 3 metres. However, there may be some shorter or longer lengths supplied due to stock availability at the time of machining.

We recommend adding extra onto your total combined length requirements to allow for wastage due to cuts.

Can I order skirting boards in specific lengths?

The raw timber we machine from is in random lengths, so it is extremely difficult for us to produce skirting boards in specific lengths. We recommend adding at least 10% onto your total combined length requirements to allow for wastage due to cuts.

If, as part of your order, you have a specific length or two that you would like to achieve without joints, we will try to accommodate this where stock lengths allow.

Can you make skirting boards and architrave to sizes other than those listed?

Yes, as we machine everything to order we can usually machine to sizes in between those listed. If you require a different thickness, please contact us as the practicality of this may vary, depending on the profile chosen.

Why do you have a minimum quantity requirement on some of your products?

This is to keep our lead-time within an acceptable timeframe. As an oak specialist, we machine oak daily which allows us to group orders together, reducing our set-up time. We don’t have a minimum quantity requirement in oak for this reason.

If, as part of a larger order, you require a small amount of planed timber which has a minimum quantity requirement - please contact us.

Do your engineered wood floors have a click joint?

No, as a traditional wood floor manufacturer all our hardwood floors (both solid and engineered) are tongue and grooved on all four edges. Our 20mm engineered wood floors are structural floorboards and can be fit onto joists or battens.

Are your wood floors lacquered?

The factory finish we offer on all our wood floors is an Osmo Polyx Oil with a Clear Satin finish – more commonly known as Hardwax Oil. We don’t offer a lacquered finish; we recommend that lacquers are best applied once the floor is laid.

Our wood floors can also be supplied unfinished, ready to apply a finish of your own choosing once your floor is laid.

What does random width flooring mean?

We only source timber from FSC or PEFC certified sources. Because of this, the American and Canadian hardwoods that we import are available to us in limited sizes. The raw timber that we receive from the USA and Canada is supplied in loads containing three different widths. When we machine this into flooring, we end up with boards in three different widths. The widths of the boards can vary from load to load, but are typically 89mm, 114mm, and 140mm. We supply a roughly equal linear meterage of each width of board.

When fitting a random width floor, you should lay full rows of each individual width, i.e. one full row of 89mm wide boards, one full row of 140mm wide boards and so on. You will need to allow a little more wastage than when fitting a single width floor; we recommend a minimum of 15%.

Random width floors look extremely appealing and the effect can greatly enhance the appearance of the floor.

Do you offer a fitting service?

As a manufacturer we supply only, we don’t offer a fitting or finishing service.

We would be happy to recommend a joiner/wood floor fitter who is local to us. If you require a floor fitter and you are in the Yorkshire area, please contact us for details.

For more information, please read our Hardwood Floor Fitting Guide.

Delivery

Do you deliver around the UK?

We deliver to most areas around the GB mainland.

We use our own vehicle for local deliveries, and we rely on transport companies like DX Freight and Palletways to deliver to customers who are a distance away from us.

Do you deliver to Northern Ireland / Jersey / Isle of Man etc.

Sadly, no – the courier companies we use only offer a delivery service within the GB mainland.

We are happy for goods to be collected from our premises, if you are able to arrange your own courier.

How much does delivery cost?

The delivery charge depends on the type of goods ordered, the size and weight of the goods, and the delivery location.

The easiest way to calculate the delivery charge is to put the goods you require into your shopping cart on our online shop. If you input your delivery postcode in the 'Calculate Shipping' box, our website will calculate the shipping charge for you.

How long does delivery take?

The delivery time depends on the type of goods ordered and the delivery location.

Ancillary products (e.g. oils, finishes, cleaning products) are generally supplied from stock. These are usually despatched within a couple of working days from placement of order.

Our timber products are generally machined to order, and therefore incur a manufacturing lead time. Our lead times are displayed on individual product pages, just underneath the product name and price.

Will the driver phone me before delivery?

The courier companies we use don’t carry mobile phones so won't usually be able to contact you directly.

Can I arrange my own courier?

Yes - no problem at all, just choose “Customer Collect” when you place your order.

It would be appreciated if you could inform us which courier will be collecting on your behalf in the Special Instructions field at the very end of the order process.

Can I collect from your premises?

Yes – no problem at all, just choose “Customer Collect” when placing your order.

As soon your order is ready, we will contact you to let you know.

General

How long has British Hardwoods been operating?

British Hardwoods has been in business since 1992.

Our MD Tony Fillingham started as a one-man operation, using a mobile chainsaw-mill building up a stock of mature hardwoods from fallen and inaccessible logs. The company has grown to be one of the UK’s leading timber merchants and manufacturer of quality hardwood flooring and related products.

Do you have showroom?

Yes, our wood flooring showroom is situated at our premises here in Yorkshire. For our opening times, address and directions, please see our Contact Page.

Do you have other branches?

No, sadly we don’t have other branches. Everything is manufactured here at our premises at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and delivered throughout the GB mainland.

If you’re not close enough to visit our showroom, we provide samples of all our solid and engineered wood floors which are available to order online.