Why February is Actually a Great Time to Order Decking Materials
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Why February is Actually the Best Time to Order Decking Materials
Why February is Actually the Best Time to Order Decking Materials
"It's too cold to think about decking right now." How many times have we heard this in February? How many times have we had customers call us asking about materials, only to apologise for "bothering us in winter," and promise to call us again in April when the weather warms up?
The problem is, those customers who call us in April won't get their materials until May or June, right in the middle of prime deck-enjoying season. Meanwhile, those customers who call us in February will be enjoying their barbecues in April while everyone else is still waiting for materials.
We've been in the decking business in Britain for over two decades now, and we've seen this pattern every single year. The customers who get it right get better materials, better prices, and get to use their new decks during the best weather. The customers who get it wrong get stressed out, invariably pay more, and end up settling for something less than what they wanted.
February Ordering: What It Means to Order in February
Mills have the capacity to fulfil orders in February, and there is no question of it. We here at UK Sleepers also have excellent levels of stock. Autumn shipments have arrived, but the spring rush hasn't yet set in. Transport is readily available. It is all smooth sailing, and the system is not under pressure.
February is also the time when you should order if you want to specify quality hardwoods such as oak or tropical hardwoods.
We do not store vast quantities of such materials because we know our customers will appreciate the quality of our cutting and kiln drying to order, taking account of projected demand. February orders get processed in the quiet time with full attention to the selection of timbers and proper drying techniques.
Spring rush orders, on the other hand, get rushed through production, and we prioritise quantity over quality because, let's face it, everyone needs materials right now.
A customer in Devon placed an order with us for some oak decking last February, and she specifically wanted to order at this time because she had done her research on the importance of proper drying of timbers and wanted her materials properly seasoned. She knew that if she had ordered in the spring, we would have rushed the kiln drying, and that would have caused problems, but her order in February ensured that her materials were properly dried, and they worked beautifully when she laid them.
What Happens to Prices (And Why Nobody Talks About It)
Prices on timber products aren't static throughout the year. Suppliers adjust their prices to account for the seasons, just like hotels and airlines adjust their prices to account for the seasons.
Prices tend to be better in February because our suppliers want to ensure cash flow during the quiet period. Come the spring, the prices can be increased, and customers accept them because they need the materials in a hurry.
We do our best to keep prices stable, but our suppliers put their prices up for the spring season, and we pass those on. The difference isn't enormous, but it is significant – typically 8-15% depending on the species. That can be a lot of money on decking projects.
The Weather Myth That Costs People Money
"But I can't work with February weather." Well, no, you can't, and it makes no sense to lay decking in the rain and snow. But ordering the materials and laying the decking aren't the same thing and don't need to be done at the same time.
But ordering the materials and laying in April gets the best out of both worlds. The materials arrive just as the weather is improving but before the shortages caused by the spring rush. You can start work immediately, rather than waiting weeks for the materials to arrive.
This is how professional contractors work. They order the materials needed for spring projects during the winter season when the materials are more readily available and cheaper. They then schedule the installations when the weather permits. Professional builders know that the timing of the order and the timing of the work are different.
What About Stock Risk?
"What if I order in February and specifications change before installation?" That is a good question. In reality, it is rarely an issue.
Most decking projects are simple. You need a certain amount of certain materials. Specifications do not normally change unless your building plans change significantly. And if your plans do change, we will work with you to make necessary changes to your order, especially if ordered well in advance.
The real problem is waiting until spring to order your materials and finding that your first choice is no longer available. Then you are forced to make compromises that you do not really want.
The Economics of Early Planning
February ordering also saves money in other ways.
Projects done in the spring under pressure often mean that higher delivery fees must be paid to get the job done on time. Installers also often charge higher fees for rush jobs. Compromising on your material specifications also means that your deck will not last as long, which means that you will end up spending more money in the future.
What Actually Sells Out First
Some materials sell out more quickly than others.
Premium Oak Decking: Always the first to suffer from availability issues. This is because oak is popular and has a long production time, causing it to be in short supply by April every year.
Specialty Dimensions: When widths or thicknesses vary from standard dimensions, they become scarce in a hurry due to production runs favouring standard sizes in a rush.
Kiln-Dried Materials: Anything that needs to be properly kiln-dried will have longer lead times in spring since they cannot be rushed without compromising quality.
We had a customer last spring who wanted 195mm width oak boards for their large deck. Ordering in February ensured we had plenty in stock. Come April, we were unable to source this width from multiple suppliers.
The Lead Time Reality Check
Our standard lead time is 10 working days from February to early March. This lengthens to 2-3 weeks from mid-March. April and May: 4-6 weeks is considered normal.
These lead times are based on material availability. For certain materials or specifications, springtime ordering may not be possible at all, regardless of lead time.
We stopped taking orders for certain popular oak specifications in May last spring since we literally couldn't deliver them before August. Ordering these in February? No problem whatsoever.
The Bottom Line from Twenty Years of Our Experience
February ordering isn't about working in cold weather. It's about decoupling material ordering from installation time for a better outcome.
Order in February to have the best materials, best pricing, best lead times, and least stress. Wait until spring, and you get what is left over, pay more, wait longer, and watch the good weather disappear while you wait for materials.
This is an annual process. The people who understand timing strategy achieve significantly better results than the people who do not. The same suppliers, often the same installers.
The smart customer treats February as material ordering time, regardless of their intended installation time. The benefits are so good that even customers with intended installation times in the summer or autumn order in February.
Most importantly, it gives you power. You choose materials based on what you want, not what is available because you are desperate.
February is the time to order materials if you are planning any decking project. The weather will get better. The material availability will not.
Are you planning a decking project for 2025? February is the best time to order materials. The weather will get better. The material availability will not. Call us today on 01536 267107 to discuss your specifications with us while material selection is at its best. Or look at our full range of decking boards and materials online.
or send us an email at
sales@uksleepers.co.uk.
