With sawn timber, the first source of dispute is not the price per cubic metre but the gap between the stated cubage and the actual load. Freshly sawn beech weighs 800 to 910 kg/m³; on a trailer rated at 24 tonnes payload, that caps the transportable volume at around 26 to 30 m³, well below the "50 m³" sometimes quoted. We systematically lock the real volume and average weight per load before validating a consultation, so the delivered cost is accurate and free of road overload.
The second point is the condition of the wood: moisture content, drying and packaging govern the end use. Fresh beech at 50-80 % suits dunnage and industrial packaging; a board destined for joinery requires kiln drying and stabilised moisture. We qualify each supplier on drying capacity, packaging (battened, strapped bundles on bearers for forklift handling) and consistency of the sections delivered.
Finally, EUDR compliance (the EU deforestation regulation) becomes applicable on 30 December 2026. It requires documented due diligence: geolocation of the plots of origin and a declaration number (DDS). We verify upstream that the sawmill can provide this traceability — it is what separates a durable supplier from one that will be blocked at the border once the rule takes effect.
Typical requirements
- Beech sawn to list and boards
- Oak and mixed hardwoods
- Dunnage and industrial packaging timber
- Boules, planks and strips
- Kiln-dried timber — controlled moisture
- Pallets and custom cutting
