Thread: Random length decking

You're right, that's pretty dodgy. I'd be going back to Bunnings and demanding a few answers or at the very least, an exchange of some sort.

If you did use all those pieces on your job, it's going to be very hard to disperse the 1.8m lengths and you'll have a large amount of offcuts if your joists don't divide evenly into 1.8m.

Take them back and complain long and loud.

yep I am going to head in there on monday and ask very nicely then Im off to fair trading

Edit < after re-reading my post it sounds a little harsh, please don't take it that way. but take it as one persons input and that's all (don't hate me, i love everyone!) >


Don't go too crazy, that's normal and you'll make a spectacle of yourself, but ask away. You know the squeaky wheel gets the oil

You ordered random length, and they randomly gave you the top half of a pack.
Packs of decking will usually be C.500LM so by ordering 300LM they opened a new pack took the top 3/5's and sent it to you.

When I used to pack timber for a living the long lengths that stack really neatly go on the bottom! So you should have asked especially for the bottom half of the pack. But that is no longer random length, and you'll get charged 30% for the privilege. But you do get more 3.0m+

Other things to consider too are is it select grade?
If it is, the lengths are normally shorter as they cut out knots and defects.
You'll typically get more longer lengths with standard and utility graded timber.
If it were end-matched flooring you would get heaps at 0.9m!

If you have laid your joists at 900 centers you'll have very little waste. and there is no problem, but if your off but 30mm they you just got 44 off cuts, and at $3.90 a meter it adds up.

Bottom line is the guys that stack the timber make is easy for them selves, they will not pick through a pack of timber to find you a truly random mix of boards (it's no longer random if they do) as it takes too long!

Bunnings has been known in the past use Merbau as a loss leader, Knowing that they only make between 0-10% on their buy price, include freight, storage, the cost of money, handling, sales staff, admin staff,etc and then pay two guys $20 and hour each to pick though a pack, wrap it strap in and the deliver it and you.
On your $1200 sale their $120 profit erodes quickly! They are lucky you also bought all your stainless decking nails, joist, posts, oil etc while you were at it...

No i do not work for bunnings, but I fielded way to many customer inquirers along these lines.
If you wanted all 6m lengths because your deck in 6m wide, then you just have to ask and you pay a price that represents the labour involved. (normally 30% extra, and not on sale prices either).
You could have randomly got 166 1.8m lengths. (hey, people still buy lotto tickets with the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 don't they?)

Sorry I couldn't be more supportive, but that's how it works. Go back on Monday, take all the boards back and swap half of them out. They'll love you for it and will even help you unload.

We always order 5-10% more timber for a job owing to this.

Good luck.

Although I'd say the more usual proportion is 10% of the total, not 20%. Still, it's not unusual.

And as with any timber nowadays, long lengths of defect free (in terms of intended application) are becoming harder and harder to obtain in quantity.

The way things are going, it won't be too long before finger-jointed floor boards - made up of 6 inch lengths - become the norm!

Thanks for all your comments guys I am going to put it down to experience,use the far too many short bits for a chook run or a couple of tables,and get some self selected timber from another dealer to make the loss up.

Crikey I phoned Bunnings Trade centre in Hervey Bay and the manageress just said bring half the 1.8 lengths back and we will change them for
ones to suit you better no fuss no hassle,thanks for all the advice and info,I am doing up an ex holiday rental on the Esplanade in Hervey Bay
it was built 20 years ago and has never been mantained every tap and toilet leak the carpets are filthy it has never even had a lick of paint,the yards are overgrown and the whole thing looks like a haunted house,so its very good to be able to ask for the advice I am going to need, Thanks

Good to hear you got a good outcome.

-Scott.

See told ya.
Squeaky wheel gets the oil. )

I can't see why you aren't happy about it.

You have,

6% @5m
13.7% @4.8m
6% @4.2m
51.7% @3 - 3.9m
22.6% @1.8m


OR

19.7% @5m
57.7% @3m - 4m
22.6% @1.8m



Tell me what's wrong with these numbers? I would be happy with it.

Next person will have an even higher % of 1.8m

well I want my deck to be as join free as it can be, its not a table and easily made from short bits,and as Bunnings has pointed out to me on one occasion the home handy men like the shorties for such things,any way its sorted now,

Someone has got to use the short bits.

If you order random length then it's pretty much a guessing game what you'll get.
If you want a nice deck without joins then fork out the extra cash for set lengths, might cost an extra $1Lm or so but you know what you're getting.

I build a lot of decks and buying set lengths works out pretty similar i would say.

Random lengths you have to look through for certain sizes, you'll most likely be left with larger offcuts and more of them and you have to join the boards which also takes a little more time. For the extra money i'd rather just know what i have to work with.

This has been a pretty educational and interesting thread.

Originally Posted by RUSHY

Crikey I phoned Bunnings Trade centre in Hervey Bay and the manageress just said bring half the 1.8 lengths back and we will change them for
ones to suit you better no fuss no hassle

Sounds like pretty good service. I'd be happy with that

Cheers,
Dave