timber frame contractors

liam300tm

planning granted 1hour ago!!

quick queery, how do I find out how liquid a companys finances are?? eg give a timber frame contractor a deposit and next week he goes bust with your jonny cash, called the ITFMA no use, all they would say is "yes they are a member" contractor him self (of course said there is no problem) but have heard from 2 guys they are in trouble..... is there a site this can be checked or is it a case of offering a solisitors letter gaurenteeing payment of said amount upon compleation of contract?? would they go for this? any expieriences anyone??

sas

My brother in law is building with timber frame. It's arriving in the next few weeks.

What has been agreed is that once they trucks arrive on day 1, his engineer will inspect what has arrived and then the funds will be released. No funds and the crew turns around and goes back to the factory.

At least in this circumstance a reasonable amount of protection is provided.

I'd be very wary of handing a sizeable deposit to any company for anything in the current climate.

liam300tm

think your right, can't see any companys too keen to go with that.

buyers market!!

narkymarky

Went down the timber frame route ourselves but took a while to find the right company. So many we talked to manufactured and erected the kit only - wanted %age on signing contract, further advance prior to delivery and final payment after erection. Builder needed stage payments in addition to the kit suppliers. Could never get the mortgage funding to tie up with the various, differing, supplier terms.
In the end we were lucky enough to find a company who manufacture their own kits, erect and complete the building aspect. Its a much more streamlined approach and they work their payment scheme along the same lines as a conventional block built 4 stage release mortgage - so no up front payment required. Signed into a contract with them that indemnifies us as the customer with regard completion. Basically our solicitor went through the contract to ensure that we were covered in the event of the builder going belly up - in that case their insurance pays out to a new contractor to finish the job. Where about are you building?

liam300tm

The Dub's favourite holiday destination, Blessington lakes.

can you PM me the name of that contractor - seems a much smarter way to go.

gman2k

liam300tm wrote: »

planning granted 1hour ago!!

quick queery, how do I find out how liquid a companys finances are?? eg give a timber frame contractor a deposit and next week he goes bust with your jonny cash, called the ITFMA no use, all they would say is "yes they are a member" contractor him self (of course said there is no problem) but have heard from 2 guys they are in trouble..... is there a site this can be checked or is it a case of offering a solisitors letter gaurenteeing payment of said amount upon compleation of contract?? would they go for this? any expieriences anyone??

I would advise to pay the absolute minimum deposit by credit card. Therefore in event of company going bust - you will be covered.
If you are using a timber frame, and you are self building, get someone to look over the timber frame as it goes up, and when they say it is complete.
You will have a major amount of snags.
Walls may not be plumb, rooms may not be square, loadbearing partitions may not be sitting correctly on rising walls, joists may be twisted/ cracked.
Roof trusses may not be laid plumb or level.
What I'm saying here comes from experience with one of the most reliable Timber frame suppliers in the SE.
They don't use quality carpenters to put up the timber frames, they use butchers.