FAQs

Quality of Product
Assembly & Maintenance
Planning Permission
Delivery
Terms and Conditions of Sale
Guarantee
Customising your Design

1. Quality of Product

1.1.Where is the timber sourced from?
Timber buildings within the Lugarde range are made from first class Northern European pine. In the Northern European countries governmental authorities exercise stringent supervision to ensure that more trees are planted than are cut down, so that the ecological balance is perfectly maintained. We guarantee that only the highest quality materials and accessories are chosen, which are delivered through professional processing. The wood is dried back to 14% (kiln and dried) therewith preventing the wood from working as much as possible.

2.Assembly & Maintenance

2.1.How easy is it to assemble the timber buildings?
The walls of the timber buildings within the Lugarde range, consist of a unique system, where the milled wall beams side perfectly into the corresponding corner posts. The corner posts are reinforced with invisible aluminium strips, a system which improves the durability of the building under all weather conditions. This unique assembly system is simple and durable, and is also therefore very easy to assemble for the DIY enthusiast. However, we also offer an installation service see below. For a quote on installation, please contact us.

2.2. What if I get stuck?
You do not need to be a carpenter to install one of these buildings just a competent DIY enthusiast with a couple of helpers. That said, if you do get into any difficulties, we can offer technical support free of charge over the phone to give you the peace of mind you need.

2.3. Can you install the building for me?
Yes. We offer an installation service should you prefer to sit back and relax and let the professionals save you precious time. Our installations are carried out to the highest of standards as you would expect from a company who have many years experience in this area. The skilled Timber Buildings Direct installation team will meet with you at the start of the build and from there are experts in carrying out the build with the least amount of disruption to you and your garden. For a quote on installation, please contact us.

2.4. How long does a standard building take to install?
On average most buildings can be installed within a couple of days they therefore make ideal weekend projects for DIY enthusiasts. The larger buildings can take longer but on average, no more that four days. For a quote on installation and to talk through estimated timings, please contact us.

2.5. How are the roofs of the timber buildings constructed?
For many buildings within the Lugarde range, the roof is made up of 8 ready to use elements, both for thatched roofs and for shingled roofs. The roofs of all other buildings are delivered as a building kit, meaning separate rafters, roof beams and shingles. These buildings can be thatched locally if desired.

2.6. Can I choose the type of roof finish?
Yes. The standard colour of the roof shingles is always green. If you would like another colour (red, black, brown or blue) please indicate on your order this modification is done for you with no extra charge. We can also supply you with hexagonal shingles in red or black should you prefer this design. Click here to see examples of shingles. All buildings within the Lugarde range are delivered inclusive of metal cap and (dependent on the model) one or two aluminium weather vanes or weather witches or brass or chrome plated balls or a combination of those. You are able to decide which style you want included on your order. Click here to see examples of roof finials.

2.7. How do I prepare the foundations for the timber building?
All buildings are delivered inclusive of pressure-impregnated foundation beams. It is essential to accurately level the foundation. This is underestimated far too often, resulting in lots of unnecessary problems such as sagging, chinks and malfunctioning doors and windows. Depending on soil type, the soil has to be removed to a depth of approximately 20 cm. Then it should be filled with yellow sand. Next, compact or vibrate the sand and than lay concrete slabs or put down concrete. Make sure that the top of the floor is always above ground level and that it is absolutely level. It is advisable to apply a layer of gravel around your summer house to prevent water from splashing up.

2.8. How do I treat and maintain my building?
All buildings are delivered untreated. For optimal protection of your building against the forces of nature we advise you to treat the wood on the outside as well as on the inside as soon as possible. With a combination of our impregnate solution and paint you can achieve a practical and attractive result. Note that you should never apply a bright or a non-moisture regulating paint. We can arrange for the entire building to be pre-impregnated at the factory for a small charge.

3.Planning Permission

3.1. Do I need planning permission for my building?
We recommend you apply for planning permission if any of the following cases apply:

You want to erect a building which would be nearer to any highway than the nearest part of the original house unless there would be at least 20m between the new building and any highway (including public roads, footpaths, byways and bridleways)
More than half the area of land around the original house would be covered by the addition of a building
Your house is a listed building or if it is within a conservation area or area of outstanding natural beauty
The building is not to be used for domestic purposes and is to be used instead for running a business or storing commercial goods
The building you wish to erect is more than 3m high (or more than 4m if it has a ridged roof)

The above information is supplied as a guide only, your local council will be able to give you the exact information you require. Please contact your local planning office or visit www.planningportal.gov.uk to apply online. We are happy to supply you with drawings for your building free of charge please contact us to ask for these.

4.Delivery

4.1. What about delivery of my building?
All buildings will be delivered road side. The buildings are packed in environmentally friendly packaging which can be re-used. We advise you to check the contents of the package against the packing list (outside package) within 8 days of delivery. With the delivery of your building, you will receive a Log Book with examples of a wide range of tips about assembly and maintenance, guarantees, solutions to small problems and a lot of space for your own notes, like the purchase date of the building, paint work date and paint colour numbers.

4.2. When will my building be delivered?
We are able to ship products to mainland England (excluding Cornwall and areas north of Leeds) within 6 to 8 weeks of order. We will contact you with a delivery date and estimated time of arrival 1 week prior to delivery.

Please contact us prior to ordering for quote and estimated delivery time.

4.3. Is delivery free of charge?
Delivery to mainland England (excluding Cornwall and areas north of Leeds) is 122. Delivery to Wales, Cornwall and areas north of Leeds is 242. Delivery to non mainland England, Scotland and Northern Ireland is Price on Application. Please contact us prior to ordering for quote and estimated delivery time. We are not able to deliver individual parts.

5.Terms and Conditions of Sale

5.1. Terms and conditions
Please click here to read our complete Terms and Conditions.

5.2. Payment
We require a deposit of 25% to confirm your order, along with a signed copy of our Terms and Conditions. On receipt of this, we will confirm your order and your exact requirements back to you in writing. The balance is due 7 days prior to delivery. We can accept payment by credit card, debit card, cheque of transfer of funds and there is a 3% transaction charge for credit card payments. In the unfortunate event of payment not being received in time, delivery will inevitably be delayed and a re-delivery charge will be applied.

6.Guarantee

6.1. What about the guarantee on the building and what does it cover?
There is a 5 year guarantee on manufacture and construction errors on all timber buildings. Damage caused by man, animal or force of nature are not covered under the guarantee. Complaints caused by a bad foundation, a faulty assembly (when executed by yourself), poor maintenance or wrong maintenance materials are not covered under the guarantee.

7.Customising your Design

7.1. Can the roofs and floors of the timber building be insulated?
Yes. It is possible to have the roof and floor of your Sanctuary timber building insulated at an extra cost. This is useful if you are going to use the building as a home office or guest house. The floor insulation delivered has a thickness of 4 cm. and is very easy to apply. You have to put the floor insulation in between the floor joints and underneath the floor boards. The roof insulation consists of insulation plates with a thickness of 4 cm. The insulation plates have to be put on top of the roof boards. It is also possible to change the style of the windows and doors and install double glazed doors/windows.

7.2. Can I change the windows and doors on the timber building?
Yes. We are able to offer a wide range of alternative windows and doors, with or without cross bars, single or double glazed, coloured glass, lead striping, casement windows, tilt and turn windows, fixed windows, windows with ventilation grates and folding doors. We are able to supply shutters as well. Please note however that it is not always possible to put double glazed windows/doors in 28 mm. buildings. If you require alternative windows and doors that are bigger than the standard size or if you want to put them in another place you will incur a small modification charge. All single doors are left handed as standard but we are able to change this to right handed. Click here to see all window and door options.

7.3. Can I upgrade the flooring on my timber building?
Yes. You can choose to order an alterative made from Tech-Wood which comes with a lifetime guarantee.

7.4. Can I choose the roof colour on the timber building?
Yes. The standard colour of the roof shingles is always green. If you would like another colour (red, black, brown or blue) please indicate on your order. We can also supply you with hexagonal shingles in red or black. Click here to see examples of shingles.

7.5. Can I choose an alternative roof decoration on the timber building?
Yes. All buildings within the Sanctuary Range are delivered inclusive of metal cap and (dependent on the model) one or two aluminium weather vanes or weather witches or brass or chrome plated balls or a combination of those. You are able to decide which style you want included on your order.

7.6. Can I choose the metalwork on the timber building?
Yes. You are able to choose between chrome or brass metalwork on your building.

7.7. Can I increase the wall height on the timber building?
Yes and sometimes it may be necessary to do so for example, if you choose other doors/windows in order to allow the door/window to fit.

7.8. Can I order my building to be pre-impregnated?
Yes. It is not done by high pressure, instead, the wood will be dipped in the impregnating agent. If you choose to order your building pre-impregnated you have to treat it yourself again after 1 or 15 years depending on the climate.

7.9. Is there a charge for my modifications?
Depending of your requirements, you may incur changes for larger design modifications such as larger doors or windows and for any flooring upgrade. For modifications to aesthetics such as type of finial or colour of shingle, you will not be charged. The best course of action is to speak to a member of our sales team to discuss your requirements in detail.