If you’re looking for an exotic lumber supplier, you need to choose the best. This checklist will guide you through the process and help you pick a company that can meet all your needs.
Selection
Perhaps the first question you need to ask of your lumber supplier is do they have what you need? A company with a huge inventory will not only be able to fill regular orders large and small whenever you need them, they will also have the stock to meet those rare, custom needs.
Quality
The next question: is the product any good? The best lumber suppliers will have stringent inspection processes to ensure only the best pieces get shipped to customers. Before purchasing from any company, request a sample, or even ask to inspect their inventory yourself if they have a location nearby.
Milling Capabilities
Whether you’re building a deck, installing a floor, or putting up hardwood siding, you need a lumber supplier that can mill the exact profile your project requires. Make sure they can produce all the standard profiles, but also find out if they can cater to custom needs. Obscure profiles? Unusual lengths? Extra-wide dimensions? The best mills will be able to provide all of these.
Source
A couple of things to look for here. First, is the company importing wood directly from the source? If not, you may be paying extra for a middle-man. Second, is the lumber being harvested and imported legally? A company that imports directly will have more control over this and should be able to provide documentation proving the legality of their product. Finally, does the company have a good relationship with the lumber mills at the source? Strong relationships with foreign mills allow a company to get more, higher-quality lumber for less, and also means the company will have more longevity should you want to come back to them for future projects.
Experience
All the above mean nothing if the company ultimately has no idea what it’s doing. Knowledgeable staff will be able to advise you on material requirements and installation instructions. They’ll know how to navigate the legal complexities of the harvest and import processes. With experience also comes a level of customer service you won’t find anywhere else, with an ability to anticipate your concerns and provide answers to all your questions.
So How Do We Stack Up?
Selection? We have the largest inventory of Ipe lumber in the country. Quality? We inspect each board we produce before sending them to customers. Milling? We can custom-mill any profile you need, thanks to the state-of-the-art machinery at each of our locations. Source? Not only do we import directly from Brazil, we actually own the mill in Brazil. We control the entire process, from harvesting to final shipment, so you can rest assured that you’re getting 100% legal timber at the best price. Experience? We’ve been in business for over 20 years and have been chosen for projects ranging from high-profile public works to backyard decks, from celebrity homes to artisan woodworking pieces. If you have any questions, just give us a call!