As featured in Builders Merchants News, Alex Goodfellow, CEO Donaldson Offsite, explains how partnering with a timber frame manufacturer can help merchants seamlessly expand their offering and tap into a growing market.

There’s no doubt that timber buildings will be key to the response to climate change by replacing high impact materials like concrete and steel.

Backed by bodies like the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and National House-Building Council (NHBC), and supported by government initiatives, timber has gained significant support in UK housebuilding over the last decade. It is a future-proof material, which addresses challenges around housing supply, environmental impact and skills shortages, offering sustainability benefits, speed of construction, and alignment with the government’s net-zero targets.

In recognition of this, we’re seeing a culture shift – and it’s not just the big housebuilders making the move—local and regional builders, contractors, and developers are also transitioning to timber frame as a solution to sustainable housebuilding. As demand rises, builders’ merchants have a prime opportunity to diversify their product range, add value for customers, and drive new revenue streams.

The good news? Transitioning to selling timber frame doesn’t have to be complicated.

How a timber frame partner can help

For merchants new to timber frame, the idea of offering a full structural solution might seem daunting. But with the right manufacturing partner, the process is simple, streamlined, and packed with benefits.

By partnering with a trusted manufacturer like us, merchants can access:

• Quick and accurate pricing tools – A digital system that helps merchants price projects efficiently.
• Carbon calculator – A tool that allows builders to see the carbon savings of timber versus traditional materials before placing an order.
• Online learning platform – Training resources for both merchants and their customers, making timber frame expertise accessible and easy to understand.

We provide full training and technical support to ensure merchants and their customers understand timber frame construction, what works, what’s compliant, and how to deliver high-quality builds. Our CPD-approved training, including an introduction to timber frame, equips merchant teams with the knowledge they need to confidently offer timber solutions.

Ready to go house designs

One of the biggest advantages of working with a leading timber frame partner is access to pre-designed, fully compliant house types. For example, our customers have access to the Donaldson Timber Systems House Range, a portfolio of 18 core designs, which includes cottage flats with a mix of 1 and 2 bedrooms; semi-detached and detached 2-bed bungalows; and a selection of detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms.

Each design is:

• BIM-ready – supported by a suite of architectural design information with Level 1 BIM models for seamless digital integration
• DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) compliant – ready for efficient construction
• Aligned with UK building regulations in your region of operation (England, Scotland, and Wales)
• Optimised for sustainability with embodied carbon calculations and PMV assessment for each house type

These ready-to-go designs give builders and developers an easy way to adopt timber frame without any design headaches and with most of the legwork already complete, reducing lead times and up-front costs. Merchants can offer a full package—including SAP calcs, material specifications, and cost guidance—helping customers make informed purchasing decisions.

We conducted extensive research in the sector to understand the needs of residents, developers, planners, and all relevant regulations, and these house types provide homes that are designed to offer maximum flexibility while meeting all space standards in the most efficient way possible.

How it works

When customers have seen the benefits of choosing timber frame, the sales process is straight-forward. The merchant submits a set of outline drawings from the customer; we put a detailed quote together and return it to the merchant to give to the customer.

We’ve got a pre-construction team who will handle any technical queries. Plus, we can be flexible – we can offer supply only or supply and erect depending on requirements. Merchants can trust that their customers are in good hands and the project will be delivered as promised.

Time to act

Offsite timber frame is the future of UK housebuilding. It’s tried, tested, and already widely used across the country. With 50 years of expertise in the sector, we know what works—and we’re here to support builders’ merchants in making timber frame a profitable and seamless addition to their offering.

For merchants looking to stay ahead of the curve, timber frame is an opportunity waiting to be seized.

Get in touch today to find out more.