Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions apply to all services provided by Oakwood Buildings Framing LTD.

1. Deposits & Payment Terms

  • A 50% deposit is required to confirm all orders.
  • The remaining 50% balance is due once the frame is manufactured and ready for dispatch.
  • If an order is cancelled:
    • Within 30 days: full refund.
    • Between 31–60 days: 50% refund.
    • After 60 days: non-refundable.
  • We aim to be reasonable — if you’d like to discuss your circumstances, feel free to get in touch.
  • In cases of cancellation, Oakwood Buildings reserves the right to retain up to 25% of the total invoice to cover administrative costs, including design work and engineering preparation.
  • Refunds will be processed within 30 days of written confirmation.

2. Delivery, Access & Storage

  • Our standard lead time is 6–8 weeks from deposit.
  • Need it sooner? Let us know — we’ll do our best to accommodate.
  • Once the frame is complete, we will contact you to arrange delivery. If you’re unable to receive delivery within 10 weeks of the deposit date, a £75 + VAT weekly storage fee may be charged.
  • Client responsibilities on delivery:
    • Ensure adequate site access. Our typical vehicle is approx. 11m long × 2.25m wide × 2.5m high.
    • Assist with manual offloading, unless previously arranged.
    • Loader crane delivery is available and recommended for larger frames.
    • Clients may also arrange a forklift on site to assist with offloading.

3. Scope of Works

Oakwood Buildings supplies and manufactures timber frames. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, we do not provide:

  • Groundworks
  • Staining or treatment of timbers
  • Insulation, plasterboard or internal works
  • Mechanical, electrical, or plumbing services
  • Internal or external finishing
  • Soakaways or drainage connections

If a project includes these elements, they must be arranged separately.

4. Frame Erection

  • If you are not using Oakwood Buildings or an approved team for installation, the frame must be erected by a competent carpenter or joiner.
  • We cannot accept responsibility for structural failures resulting from incorrect installation by third parties.

5. Groundworks Guidance

  • We supply layout drawings for all freestanding frames and recommend:
    • Pad foundations or concrete pads beneath post locations
    • For enclosed frames (e.g. stud walls with cladding), we advise incorporating brickwork plinths to raise the frame off the ground and protect it from moisture.
  • Clients are responsible for ensuring foundation tolerances meet the supplied drawings.
  • We do not provide groundworks specifications, as these depend on soil type and site conditions.

6. Oak Movement, Staining & Natural Behaviour

  • We primarily use untreated green oak, a beautiful and durable natural material. It will:
    • Shrink, move, crack, and split as it seasons
    • Bleed tannins, which can stain masonry, paving, or other nearby surfaces
  • These are natural and expected behaviours and do not indicate a fault. We take no responsibility for tannin staining or oak movement post-installation.

To reduce tannin bleed:

  • Let the frame weather before finishing adjacent surfaces
  • Apply a suitable oil finish to the oak if desired

Air-dried oak is used on request for projects like orangeries and interiors. However, even this may move slightly over time.

7. Timber Treatment & Joinery

  • All oak is supplied untreated, unless otherwise specified.
  • If we supply:
    • Softwood timbers: typically treated with a clear preservative
    • Oak joinery: supplied untreated
    • Doors/windows: plastic, aluminium, or timber options available

Client Responsibility:

We recommend applying protective finishes to all external and internal joinery as soon as possible after installation, and maintaining them in accordance with manufacturer guidance.

8. Structural Calculations

  • Engineering calculations are available on request, and must be agreed prior to placing an order.
  • Calculations are specific to each project and not included by default.

9. VAT & Exemptions

  • All quoted prices are exclusive of VAT.
  • Certain projects (e.g. new-build dwellings or listed buildings) may be eligible for VAT relief. Clients must provide appropriate documentation prior to invoicing.

10. Additional Notes

  • Any additional works or changes to scope must be confirmed in writing and may incur further charges.
  • Final invoicing will reflect any agreed variations or storage fees, as applicable.