Timber is a reasonably resilient material, but bad handling and poorly organised storage on building sites are major causes of damage and wastage.

This can affect your building costs, particularly for ‘specials’ or materials with a long delivery time. Replacements or remedial works may delay completion and result in financial penalties.

A lack of care both before and during the construction process can cause damage to wood products. For example: changes in moisture content due to excessive wetting or drying can cause subsequent problems in use, eg shrinkage, distortion and physical damage, deterioration including splits, decay and discoloration, and/or corrosion of metal fastenings.