Q & A General Questions
What is included in the price?
The price includes oak posts, eave and tie beams, braces, softwood soleplate, studwork, rafters, softwood weatherboarding, staddle stones. A bag containing a full set of clear and easy to follow assembly instructions, nails, oak pegs, stainless steel pins, drawing pack, DPC for laying under the soleplate.
What treatment has been applied to the weatherboard?
Osmose Protim E406 fungicidal and insecticidal Wood preservative which is a water based vacuum pressure treatment. We do recommend that you treat the weatherboard with a clear, natural or colour stain of your choice. We recommend either Sadolin or Sikkens as a manufacturer. The joinery will come with a base coat which will need further coats in accordance with our timber treatment recommendations sheet that comes with the assembly instructions.
Can I have other types of weatherboard?
Yes, we can supply Oak or red cedar weatherboard, please contact us for prices
Is Delivery included?
No but please contact our sales office and we can give you a price or you can collect your building from our yard.
What size vehicle would I need if I am collecting from your yard?
A20’ Flatbed lorry (6.5m) capable of carrying up to 4.5 tonnes
What size lorry will come to the site?
Approximately 2.55m wide x 11m in length and 6.1m in height . The vehicle gap clearance required, (provided the lorry can approach it square on) would be 3m wide. The lorry can weigh up to 23 tons. If your drive has not been built to take this there is the possibility it could cause damage and we have not allowed for this within the quotation.
What happens if my access will not take this size Lorry?
Please contact our office and alternative arrangements will be made where possible.
How will the building be off loaded from the lorry?
The Lorry has a HIAB attached to it so it can lift a certain amount of weight on the back of its bed without a forklift or telehandler.
Will I be able to assemble the frame myself?
We would recommend at least 2 people using lifting equipment such as a HIAB would be essential due to the weight of the oak beams and preferably with a carpentry/joinery background. Our expert technical team are on hand to help and advise by phone.
How long will it take to erect the Frame
Depending on the size of the building an experienced assembly team would be able to erect a 2 bay garage for example within 2 days. An inexperienced team will take longer.
Brick Packs groundworks and assembly
Can I buy bricks for the base of the building?
Yes we can supply our specially fired 150mm width bricks with buildings that allow for 150mm square oak posts & soleplates to sit flush upon. This eliminates the need to use double the number of normal sized bricks which create an unslightly overlap & also saves on labour costs.
If brickwork & foundation detail is needed below slab on your site, ODC bricks can also create further financial savings, for further details contact the team in the office today.
Groundworks
Who is responsible for checking my completed groundworks before the frame is delivered to site?
If groundworks are not being done in house by the Oak Designs Company, you will need to make sure your Groundwork Contractor includes a provision to ensure the foundations laid are accurate and suitable for the oak frame.
Assembly
Will I be able to assemble the frame myself?
We would recommend a minimum of 2-3 people with a HIAB is essential due to the weight of the oak beams preferably with a Carpentry/Joinery background. Don’t forget our expert Technical Team are on hand by phone to help and advise at any stage of your project.
How long will it take to erect the Frame?
Depends on the size of the building but an experienced assembly team for example can erect a 2 bay within 2 days or less. A less experienced team will take longer.
Will I need Structural Calculations?
Yes, if Building control are involved, we will supply these for your building upon your request with your order at no extra charge.
Planning and Building Control
Do I need Planning?
If you require Planning you may have local authority fees to pay for Planning and Building control. We can offer independent Building Control inspection for orders placed which include Groundworks as part of a package of our works.
Do I need Building Control
Depend whether you have a detached single storey building having a floor area which does not exceed 30m², which contains no sleeping accommodation and is:-
a) Less than 1 metre from the boundary of its curtilage
b) Is constructed substantially of non-combustible material
Groundworks
You will need to engage a Groundworker to prepare foundations and brickwork to accept our buildings.
Roofing
You will need to engage a roofer to install a roof covering (normally, felt battens and tiles, slate or shingles etc., You would also need to consult with your Local Authority and if not always get it in writing from your local authority.
Payment Terms
What are Your Payment Terms?
50% on placement of your order and 50% 7 days prior to delivery or collection of your building
Can I pay by Credit Card?
You can make payment by VISA, Delta or Mastercard credit card but a surcharge of 2.5% will be added to any payments by credit card to cover their charges
I am uneasy about paying all the money before seeing the building.
The 50% payment due 7 days before delivery/collection can be paid by credit card (+2.5% surcharge) or cash/ bankers draft on collection/delivery of the frame to site.
Once I have placed my order will there be any additional charges
There may be additional charges if you have changed your mind on the design and the new design is more expensive than the original or materials have already been purchased for your original design.
How long does it take for the building from placement of my order to delivery?
Please consult the office to find out our latest lead times.
Why choose a building from The Oak Designs Co
We have over 480 DESIGNS alone in our standard Acorn range of Garages . Our buildings are HANDCRAFTED with care and precision by our highly skilled Craftsmen so your building is individual to you. The width of our oak posts is 150mm which is wider than most of our competitors and most importantly our buildings are competitively priced.