We chose a contractor who took the advance payment and then disappeared

Have you ever experienced anything like this? In all likelihood not – and that's only right. We wouldn't wish this on anyone. But those of us who are involved in construction every day as carpenters hear quite a few stories of this kind and others. So why does this happen? You need to read this message to the end, because the truth is simply far too easy to »wrap in cellophane«!

The construction market is ruthless, and at the same time flooded with various contractors. In a strong desire to win the job, a contractor promises practically the impossible, just to secure the work.

Using the example of making a WOODEN FACADE, we will look at the reality of installation and point out a few pitfalls that many contractors keep quiet about.

If you have come across an offer that is 30 or even 40 percent lower than the others, BEWARE! As carpenters who have been present on the market for over 50 years, we know the purchase prices of materials very well and can estimate quite accurately the expected time required to make a wooden facade.

There are certainly possibilities that we make a mistake when preparing an offer. We are only human, and we make mistakes too, but the chances that we »miscalculate« are smaller than with a contractor with an unverifiable past. If we return to the offer that is 30% lower… In construction, it is possible to save money in many ways. But the favorite place to cut costs is on the quality of the material.

If we take Siberian larch as an example, which is the most popular for outdoor use, in the above-mentioned grades it can have many knots and resin pockets, which negatively affects the appearance and lifespan. No one wants holes to start appearing in the wood after a few years as a result of fallen-out knots, or for resin to keep oozing from resin pockets long after installation… No one wants heartwood in the timber either, as it is the main culprit for cracks and warped wood. In addition to the material, we can also save on the choice of facade membrane.

…but even that is no guarantee that it will survive the lifespan of the wooden part. Our company also had a case where the supplier of the facade membrane guaranteed its UV resistance, but after five years it started to disintegrate. The only possible solution was to remove the facade, replace the membrane, and screw the boards back into place. Without any additional costs for the investor, despite the warranty period having expired.

For a wooden facade, the use of INOX fastening material is absolutely necessary. Hot-dip galvanized screws can react with Siberian larch, resulting in a black stain forming around the screws that cannot be removed. Due to the chemical reaction, the screws may soon begin to rust.

Speed is very important in today's world. But is it more important than quality? In the short term perhaps, but in the long run mistakes start to show. Inaccurate cuts, screws driven in without a pre-drilled hole, too few screws… All these factors speed up the installation process by as much as 50%. Consequently, the installation cost is also lower.

How do you know whether the contractor took everything necessary into account when preparing the offer? How do you know that in the final invoice the price will not be 50% higher? You cannot know that. This is about trust. A precisely defined offer and good personal communication can help with this. It is clear that not all work is included in an informative offer, but it is important that the factors are described in the offer, that affect the change in price.

Then the unpleasant part can begin, which no one wants. Everyone defends their own position, but only rarely does a successful conclusion of the deal follow from this point… Such a story usually ends with an unfinished and unpaid project.

If we want to avoid all these problems, the price is also higher. However, in the end, when the wooden facade is completed, we also sleep peacefully because we know that we have delivered a good product. You must be aware that there is no good wooden facade for under 100 EUR + VAT per m2!

• Review completed projects/references – do you like them?
• Ask about the quality of the material. AB quality is not suitable for premium workmanship!
• How is the offer prepared? Is the description in the offer precise? Is the wood sanded? What facade foil and what screws are used?
• Is the company financially stable and does it have satisfied customers behind it?

Taking these factors into account, the chances of getting burned are significantly lower.

Something to consider: the facade is the mirror of your house. It is like clothing on a person… Everyone notices the facade first. A high-quality wooden facade will give your house prestige and high added value. A facade made of poor-quality wood and low-quality workmanship, although not much cheaper, will make your house average, with average value. We dare say that a house with a high-quality facade will gain more in value than you paid for the facade. In the long run, therefore, a high-quality facade does not cost you even a euro, while poor execution will cost you more year after year. Over the years, more and more defects will become visible, lowering the value of your property.

I hope this article was useful to you. We believe it is important that you have access to the right information, because only in this way can you make the right decision. I do not claim that we are perfect or flawless. But we do strive to eliminate as many mistakes as possible so that the final product is as good as possible.