What is the technical timber consultation service?
An advisory service delivered by timber-industry engineers to help design and execution teams pick the right type, thickness and certificates for each application. Each session runs 45-90 minutes and a written report issues within 72 working hours.
The consultation covers structural-drawing review, formwork lateral-load calculations, thickness and reuse-cycle recommendations, product selection across the catalogue (Indonesian plywood, film-faced, fire-retardant, MDF, Swedish softwood), and conformity-certificate review.
The team includes engineers with 10-15 years of experience on major Riyadh projects, trained on Saudi Building Code SBC 201 structural and SBC 801 fire-safety requirements, Saudi Mostadam green-building criteria, and international FSC and PEFC sustainability certifications.
Why do construction projects need timber consultation?
A wrong thickness or plywood-grade choice costs the project 15-40% in material waste and can lead the owner to reject pours or conformity submittals. Pre-execution consultation removes these risks and cuts rework cycles on site.
Many contractors use cheap Chinese plywood on major formwork hoping to save, but replace it after just two pours due to bow and warp. Technical consultation routes the team to the product that actually saves money over the project life, even at a 20% higher upfront cost.
SBC 801 fire-safety rules are strict in public facilities, hospitals and schools. Consultation identifies which locations need fire-retardant plywood rated B-s1, d0 per EN 13501-1, and which can use standard plywood.
What does the technical consultation cover?
Five main pillars: requirement analysis, product recommendation, load calculation, certificate review, and a written report. Each application is studied separately (formwork, cladding, joinery, ceilings, flooring) with its own recommendation.
- 01
Requirement analysis
Review of structural and architectural drawings, project type (residential, commercial, industrial), and environment (interior, exterior, wet, fire).
- 02
Product recommendation
Pick the optimal product from the Riyadh Timber catalogue (40+ products), with a written technical justification grounded in density and performance data.
- 03
Load calculation
Lateral concrete pressure on formwork, support spacing, expected reuse cycles, against reference tables for each thickness.
- 04
Certificate review
Identify required certificates (SBC, SASO, ISO, FSC, CE, EN 13501-1) by project type and how to submit them to the owner or PMC.
- 05
Written technical report
An 8-12 page report summarising recommendations, technical reasoning, tables and calculations, delivered digitally and on paper within 72 hours of the session.
How does the consultation process work?
Five standard steps: book the session, send project documents, attend the consultation, receive the report, attend follow-up. The first session is free for customers, advanced consultations on megaprojects carry a token fee credited to the first invoice.
- Book the session via WhatsApp or email — slot confirmed within 48 hours.
- Send drawings and the BoM to the engineer 24 hours before the meeting.
- Attend the meeting at the Al Olaya branch or via video for 45-90 minutes.
- Receive the written technical report within 72 working hours, digital and on paper.
- Book an optional follow-up within a month to address execution questions on site.
How long does the consultation take from request to report?
The session books within 48 working hours, runs 45-90 minutes, and the written report issues within 72 hours of the session. End-to-end the cycle is 5-7 working days, compressible to 48 hours for urgent cases at a 20% rush fee.
Megaprojects requiring on-site visits add 1-2 working days per visit. Site visits within Riyadh stay inside the 70 km radius from the depot. Visits outside Riyadh are arranged separately.
The post-report follow-up books within a week of delivery and addresses execution details that surface as work begins. The follow-up is free and aims to ensure successful implementation.
Is the technical consultation paid?
The first session is free for Riyadh Timber customers who register a purchase intent. Standalone consultations without a purchase cost SAR 500-1500 by complexity. Advanced Vision 2030 consultations run on standalone advisory contracts, with fees credited if supply lands.
Written consultation reports are submitted to the engineering review on major projects and have legal weight in any quality dispute between contractor and owner. This value justifies the fees on advanced cases.
Annual supply-contract customers get unlimited free consultations for the contract duration, priority booking, and free site visits within the Greater Riyadh area.
What are the FAQs about timber technical consultation?
Yes, Zoom or Google Meet sessions run 45 minutes with screen-sharing for drawings and load calculations. The written report follows the same 72-hour timeline as in-person sessions.
Structural engineers, project managers, door and window contractors, fit-out firms, design offices, joinery workshops, and any team selecting construction timber in volume that needs documented technical justification.
Yes, the team includes a specialist in heritage restoration with cedar, meranti and teak, and experience on Diriyah and old Diriyah Road projects. Advice covers thickness, treatment, and traditional installation methods.
Yes, when requested, recommendations cover Mostadam green-building requirements including FSC and PEFC certificates, E1 emission grades, and recycled content per Saudi and international criteria.
The Riyadh Timber technical report supports the consulting engineer's submission to the government reviewer but does not replace the structural engineer's signature. Recommendations inform the consultant's final decision.
Yes, 30x30 cm samples of most products are free at the Al Olaya showroom. Larger lab-test quantities (4-6 boards) ship at a token fee credited to the first invoice on purchase.
Need a technical consultation on your project's timber?
Book a session with the technical engineer via WhatsApp or email. Send your drawings and requirement list — we confirm the slot within 48 hours and deliver a written report within one week.