How to Order Custom Heavy Timber: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you have never ordered custom heavy timber before, the process can feel opaque. Unlike picking up dimensional lumber at a big box store, custom timber involves spec'ing exact dimensions, choosing grades, coordinating delivery, and sometimes waiting for the mill to cut to order.

Here is how it actually works, step by step, so you can plan your project with confidence.

Step 1: Define Your Specifications

Before you contact the mill, get your specs as tight as possible. The more detail you provide upfront, the more accurate your quote will be.

Dimensions. What size timbers do you need? Standard sizes range from 6x6 up to 30x30 for very heavy commercial work. Be specific: a 12x12 is not the same as a 12x14 (the second number is height when oriented vertically). If your structural engineer specified the dimensions, send the exact engineered call-out.

Lengths. What length does each piece need to be? Standard lengths run 8 to 20 feet. Longer pieces (22 to 50 feet) are available but cost more and have logistical requirements (we will get to that).

Quantity. How many pieces of each dimension and length?

Grade. What grade does your engineer require? Most heavy timber projects use WCLIB No. 1 Structural. Higher-stakes engineered work may require Select Structural. Hidden or agricultural framing might use No. 2.

Species. Douglas Fir is our standard. Western Red Cedar is available at market rate. Other species are quote-by-quote.

Special requirements. Free of Heart Center (FOH)? Specific moisture content? Kiln dried? Surfaced or rough sawn? Any of these change the price and lead time.

If you do not have all of this nailed down, that is fine. We can help you spec it. But the more you can give us upfront, the faster we can quote.

Step 2: Request a Written Quote

Send your specs through our estimate request form or email shawn@washingtontimbercompany.com directly. Include:

1. Your timber list (dimensions, lengths, quantities, grade)
2. Project location for delivery
3. Project timeline (when you need delivery)
4. Any special requirements
5. Contact info for follow-up questions

We respond within one business day, usually faster. Our quote will include:

• Itemized pricing per dimension and length
• Total project cost (timber only)
• Freight estimate to your destination
• Lead time estimate
• Quote validity (30 days standard)
• Payment terms (50 percent deposit, balance on completion)

Verbal quotes can happen over the phone for ballpark planning, but only written quotes are binding. Always get the written quote before making project decisions.

Step 3: Review and Refine

Once you have the written quote, this is the time to ask questions and refine your order. Common things to revisit:

Crossing the truckload threshold. Orders of 5,000 BF or more drop to truckload pricing ($3.60/BF base instead of $4.90/BF). If you are close to that threshold, adding a few more pieces can sometimes save you money on the whole order. Worth checking.

Dimensional alternatives. Sometimes a slightly different dimension is significantly cheaper or has better availability. We will flag this if relevant.

Length splices. If you need a 30-foot length but a 20-foot piece plus a properly engineered splice will do, that is sometimes a better path. Discuss with your engineer.

Grade flexibility. If your engineer has flexibility between grades, we can quote both and let you compare.

Delivery timing. Lead times typically run 2 to 4 weeks for standard work, 4 to 8 weeks for custom or oversized. If your timeline is tight, tell us early. If it has flexibility, we may be able to optimize.

Step 4: Confirm and Deposit

When you are ready to move forward, confirm the order in writing and send the 50 percent deposit. This locks pricing, schedules your timber on our production calendar, and triggers any necessary log sourcing.

Deposits are typically by ACH or wire transfer. We do not accept personal card payments over $5,000. For commercial accounts, terms are sometimes negotiable.

Once your deposit is received, your order moves from quote to production.

Step 5: Production

This is where the mill does its work. The timeline varies based on what you ordered:

Standard sizes and lengths. 2 to 4 weeks. We may have suitable material on hand and just need to cut and grade it.

Custom or oversized. 4 to 8 weeks. We may need to source specific logs or schedule mill time for non-standard work.

Specialty species or very large orders. Longer lead times, communicated upfront in the quote.

During production we can update you on progress. For commercial projects where timing is critical, we can schedule check-ins or photos as work progresses.

Step 6: Delivery

When your timber is ready, we coordinate delivery. Options:

Local delivery (Pacific Northwest). We deliver on our own trucks within the region. Smaller orders can sometimes be combined with other deliveries to save freight cost.

Long-haul freight. For deliveries outside the immediate region, we coordinate with freight carriers. The quote will include an estimated freight cost, finalized closer to delivery.

Customer pickup. You are welcome to pick up at our Arlington, WA mill. This is sometimes a good option for nearby builders or for orders large enough to justify a flatbed.

International export. We ship internationally regularly. Documentation, port handling, and ocean freight are handled separately, with longer lead times.

Final balance is due on completion (typically at delivery). After payment, the timber is yours and the order is complete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few things that delay orders or cause budget surprises:

Underspecifying the order. Vague specs ("a few 12x12 beams") delay quotes and lead to corrections later. Be specific.

Not confirming with the engineer. Dimensions, lengths, and grades should come from your structural engineer, not be guessed at. We can help you understand options, but the engineering call is theirs.

Waiting until the last minute. Lead times are real. If your project needs timber in two weeks and we are quoting six week lead time on a custom order, that is a problem. Plan ahead.

Forgetting about freight. Freight on heavy timber can be substantial, especially over long distances or with oversized loads requiring permits. Budget for it.

Skipping the written quote. Verbal pricing is for planning, not commitments. Always get it in writing.

Ready to Quote Your Project

Have a timber list ready? Send it through and we will turn around a written quote within one business day. Working from Arlington, Washington, we mill Douglas Fir in sizes from 6x6 to 30x30 and ship across the country and internationally.

Request your estimate or use the interactive calculator for ballpark planning first.