Comparing pricing.
Comparing pricing.
Comparing pricing.
Comparing pricing.
Mass timber is not a commodity product. Every column, beam, and panel is made for a specific application in a specific project. Different suppliers will source mass timber elements from different manufacturers. Different manufacturers will use different wood species. Some suppliers will include design support services standard, others will offer these services for an additional fee.
Because of the customized nature of mass timber, combined with varying services between suppliers, it can be challenging to compare mass timber pricing from one supplier to the next.
By using a methodical approach, you can even the playing field and effectively solicit and compare offers from different mass timber companies. To get started, we suggest using the steps outlined below.
Mass timber is not a commodity product. Every column, beam, and panel is made for a specific application in a specific project. Different suppliers will source mass timber elements from different manufacturers. Different manufacturers will use different wood species. Some suppliers will include design support services standard, others will offer these services for an additional fee.
Because of the customized nature of mass timber, combined with varying services between suppliers, it can be challenging to compare mass timber pricing from one supplier to the next.
By using a methodical approach, you can even the playing field and effectively solicit and compare offers from different mass timber companies. To get started, we suggest using the steps outlined below.
Mass timber is not a commodity product. Every column, beam, and panel is made for a specific application in a specific project. Different suppliers will source mass timber elements from different manufacturers. Different manufacturers will use different wood species. Some suppliers will include design support services standard, others will offer these services for an additional fee.
Because of the customized nature of mass timber, combined with varying services between suppliers, it can be challenging to compare mass timber pricing from one supplier to the next.
By using a methodical approach, you can even the playing field and effectively solicit and compare offers from different mass timber companies. To get started, we suggest using the steps outlined below.
Get to know the industry
Get to know the industry
Get to know the industry
Get to know the industry
Mapping the industry can help you better frame your needs and understand which companies are best suited for your project. There are three main components of the mass timber industry:
Mapping the industry can help you better frame your needs and understand which companies are best suited for your project. There are three main components of the mass timber industry:
Mapping the industry can help you better frame your needs and understand which companies are best suited for your project. There are three main components of the mass timber industry:
Manufacturers
Manufacturers
Manufacturers
Manufacturers
Manufacturers produce mass timber elements made to order. They take dimensional lumber and glue it together to make panels, columns, and beams according to construction documents. Some manufacturers make a wide variety of mass timber products, others specialize in just one or two products.
Manufacturers produce mass timber elements made to order. They take dimensional lumber and glue it together to make panels, columns, and beams according to construction documents. Some manufacturers make a wide variety of mass timber products, others specialize in just one or two products.
Manufacturers produce mass timber elements made to order. They take dimensional lumber and glue it together to make panels, columns, and beams according to construction documents. Some manufacturers make a wide variety of mass timber products, others specialize in just one or two products.
Suppliers
Suppliers
Suppliers
Suppliers
Suppliers work with customers to source all of the various components of the entire mass timber package. Suppliers often work with multiple manufacturers to procure different mass timber elements. Most suppliers also provide design assistance and project support, and procure other elements of the mass timber package such as connection hardware. Suppliers will typically produce shop drawings and will manage the logistics of working with multiple manufacturers to deliver materials just-in-time to the jobsite. Suppliers may also offer forward fabrication services, such as CNC processing, application of coatings, and preinstallation of connection hardware. Some mass timber manufacturers work as their own suppliers.
Suppliers work with customers to source all of the various components of the entire mass timber package. Suppliers often work with multiple manufacturers to procure different mass timber elements. Most suppliers also provide design assistance and project support, and procure other elements of the mass timber package such as connection hardware. Suppliers will typically produce shop drawings and will manage the logistics of working with multiple manufacturers to deliver materials just-in-time to the jobsite. Suppliers may also offer forward fabrication services, such as CNC processing, application of coatings, and preinstallation of connection hardware. Some mass timber manufacturers work as their own suppliers.
Suppliers work with customers to source all of the various components of the entire mass timber package. Suppliers often work with multiple manufacturers to procure different mass timber elements. Most suppliers also provide design assistance and project support, and procure other elements of the mass timber package such as connection hardware. Suppliers will typically produce shop drawings and will manage the logistics of working with multiple manufacturers to deliver materials just-in-time to the jobsite. Suppliers may also offer forward fabrication services, such as CNC processing, application of coatings, and preinstallation of connection hardware. Some mass timber manufacturers work as their own suppliers.
Installers
Installers
Installers
Installers
Installers are responsible for erecting the mass timber structure. They assemble the timber structure by nailing, screwing, or bolting individual mass timber elements together according to construction documents. Some mass timber suppliers may provide in-house or subcontracted installation. Other times, general contractors will engage directly with their own installers for mass timber erection.
Installers are responsible for erecting the mass timber structure. They assemble the timber structure by nailing, screwing, or bolting individual mass timber elements together according to construction documents. Some mass timber suppliers may provide in-house or subcontracted installation. Other times, general contractors will engage directly with their own installers for mass timber erection.
Installers are responsible for erecting the mass timber structure. They assemble the timber structure by nailing, screwing, or bolting individual mass timber elements together according to construction documents. Some mass timber suppliers may provide in-house or subcontracted installation. Other times, general contractors will engage directly with their own installers for mass timber erection.
Reach out to companies that fit your needs.
Reach out to companies that fit your needs.
Reach out to companies that fit your needs.
Reach out to companies that fit your needs.
Once you have a general feel for the different components of the mass timber industry, you can target the right companies to talk to about engaging on your project. For example, project teams deeply experienced in mass timber may not need turn-key design support. Self-performing general contractors may not need a supplier with in-house installation capabilities. Most project teams, however, will look for a well-rounded supplier who can provide design support and complete timber package procurement, including connection hardware.
Once you have a general feel for the different components of the mass timber industry, you can target the right companies to talk to about engaging on your project. For example, project teams deeply experienced in mass timber may not need turn-key design support. Self-performing general contractors may not need a supplier with in-house installation capabilities. Most project teams, however, will look for a well-rounded supplier who can provide design support and complete timber package procurement, including connection hardware.
Once you have a general feel for the different components of the mass timber industry, you can target the right companies to talk to about engaging on your project. For example, project teams deeply experienced in mass timber may not need turn-key design support. Self-performing general contractors may not need a supplier with in-house installation capabilities. Most project teams, however, will look for a well-rounded supplier who can provide design support and complete timber package procurement, including connection hardware.
Use a scope checklist to interview prospective partners.
Use a scope checklist to interview prospective partners.
Use a scope checklist to interview prospective partners.
Use a scope checklist to interview prospective partners.
A detailed scope checklist is probably the single most valuable tool when soliciting and comparing pricing. It gives structure to your expectations and allows mass timber companies to provide explicit feedback about what they do and don’t include in their pricing. Even when offers come from companies that provide different scopes, the checklist helps to call out the value of products and services included in one offer that are not included in the other.
Not sure what to include in your mass timber scope checklist? We've made one for you! Click here to review our scope checklist.
A detailed scope checklist is probably the single most valuable tool when soliciting and comparing pricing. It gives structure to your expectations and allows mass timber companies to provide explicit feedback about what they do and don’t include in their pricing. Even when offers come from companies that provide different scopes, the checklist helps to call out the value of products and services included in one offer that are not included in the other.
Not sure what to include in your mass timber scope checklist? We've made one for you! Click here to review our scope checklist.
A detailed scope checklist is probably the single most valuable tool when soliciting and comparing pricing. It gives structure to your expectations and allows mass timber companies to provide explicit feedback about what they do and don’t include in their pricing. Even when offers come from companies that provide different scopes, the checklist helps to call out the value of products and services included in one offer that are not included in the other.
Not sure what to include in your mass timber scope checklist? We've made one for you! Click here to review our scope checklist.
Pay attention to the details.
Pay attention to the details.
Pay attention to the details.
Pay attention to the details.
Import duties & fees; customs formalities
Import duties & fees; customs formalities
Import duties & fees; customs formalities
Import duties & fees; customs formalities
Mass timber supplied to the Northeast is often manufactured outside the United States either in Canada or in Europe. Make sure the pricing you receive includes import duties and customs clearance. If it doesn’t, you may need to work with and pay a customs brokerage to satisfy import formalities. A good mass timber supplier will handle any import formalities for you.
Mass timber supplied to the Northeast is often manufactured outside the United States either in Canada or in Europe. Make sure the pricing you receive includes import duties and customs clearance. If it doesn’t, you may need to work with and pay a customs brokerage to satisfy import formalities. A good mass timber supplier will handle any import formalities for you.
Mass timber supplied to the Northeast is often manufactured outside the United States either in Canada or in Europe. Make sure the pricing you receive includes import duties and customs clearance. If it doesn’t, you may need to work with and pay a customs brokerage to satisfy import formalities. A good mass timber supplier will handle any import formalities for you.
Exchange rate risk
Exchange rate risk
Exchange rate risk
Exchange rate risk
If the mass timber is coming from outside the United States, the pricing may be subject to currency fluctuations. Even if the offer is made in U.S. dollars, it could still be subject to change depending on the offer terms. Always understand who bears the exchange rate risk and at what point the exchange rate is set in the contract.
If the mass timber is coming from outside the United States, the pricing may be subject to currency fluctuations. Even if the offer is made in U.S. dollars, it could still be subject to change depending on the offer terms. Always understand who bears the exchange rate risk and at what point the exchange rate is set in the contract.
If the mass timber is coming from outside the United States, the pricing may be subject to currency fluctuations. Even if the offer is made in U.S. dollars, it could still be subject to change depending on the offer terms. Always understand who bears the exchange rate risk and at what point the exchange rate is set in the contract.
Shipping terms
Shipping terms
Shipping terms
Shipping terms
International shipping contracts typically use Incoterms to clearly delineate responsibilities of the buyer and seller once the material leaves the factory. Additionally, if mass timber is coming from overseas, shipping method becomes very important. Transport using 40-ft shipping containers is generally the method with the least risk, but it usually requires the shipper to arrange for transloading of the material from shipping container to flatbed trailer before delivery to the jobsite. A good mass timber supplier will be proactive about shipping needs and options and will help facilitate all aspects of international shipping.
International shipping contracts typically use Incoterms to clearly delineate responsibilities of the buyer and seller once the material leaves the factory. Additionally, if mass timber is coming from overseas, shipping method becomes very important. Transport using 40-ft shipping containers is generally the method with the least risk, but it usually requires the shipper to arrange for transloading of the material from shipping container to flatbed trailer before delivery to the jobsite. A good mass timber supplier will be proactive about shipping needs and options and will help facilitate all aspects of international shipping.
International shipping contracts typically use Incoterms to clearly delineate responsibilities of the buyer and seller once the material leaves the factory. Additionally, if mass timber is coming from overseas, shipping method becomes very important. Transport using 40-ft shipping containers is generally the method with the least risk, but it usually requires the shipper to arrange for transloading of the material from shipping container to flatbed trailer before delivery to the jobsite. A good mass timber supplier will be proactive about shipping needs and options and will help facilitate all aspects of international shipping.
No surprises.
No surprises.
No surprises.
No surprises.
At Fort Point Timber, we understand that surprises are generally bad for business. It's our goal to be transparent with our pricing so you always know what's included and what's not.
We include our scope checklist with every budget estimate and formal proposal. We believe that by being clear with our pricing, it will help you understand our offering and also better understand the pricing you may receive from other suppliers so that, at the end of the day, you have fewer surprises, no matter who you ultimately work with!
At Fort Point Timber, we understand that surprises are generally bad for business. It's our goal to be transparent with our pricing so you always know what's included and what's not.
We include our scope checklist with every budget estimate and formal proposal. We believe that by being clear with our pricing, it will help you understand our offering and also better understand the pricing you may receive from other suppliers so that, at the end of the day, you have fewer surprises, no matter who you ultimately work with!
At Fort Point Timber, we understand that surprises are generally bad for business. It's our goal to be transparent with our pricing so you always know what's included and what's not.
We include our scope checklist with every budget estimate and formal proposal. We believe that by being clear with our pricing, it will help you understand our offering and also better understand the pricing you may receive from other suppliers so that, at the end of the day, you have fewer surprises, no matter who you ultimately work with!
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110