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Collection Information
> What times are you open for collection?
The best time to collect is during office hours which are 08:00-17:00. However, if you need an out of hours collection that is no problem, just please let us know in advance what time you will be collecting so we can arrange for someone to help you upon arrival.
> How can I collect my order?
You are more than welcome to collect your order direct from our factory in Aldridge, Walsall. The address is 10 Merchants Way, Aldridge, WS9 8SW. Collections are not available from any other location currently.
If you would like to collect your order, select the collection option from the list of delivery options during the checkout process and select the day you wish to collect. We will make sure it is ready to collect on that day.
Generally, it is better to collect an order during office hours, however if you need an out of hours collection please let us know. There are people on site 24 hours a day in production so we can be fairly accommodating for out of hours collections as long as we know in advance to expect you.
Please make sure you come to collect in suitable vehicle! You would be amazed by how often we have seen people arrive to collect 4m long lengths of skirting board in a Ford Fiesta!
Priming and Painting
> How do you apply your primer?
All of our primed finishes are applied by one of our in-house paint technicians, using state of the art spraying equipment. This allows for an even and flawless finish, rather than risk brush marks and the like that occur when applying primer by hand.
> Do you prime all faces of the boards?
We prime all of the exposed faces- everything that will be seen. We do not prime the back of the skirting boards or architrave because this is unnecessary.
We have had some customers raise a concern that the backs of the boards needed to be primed for the boards to be properly 'balanced' and to prevent them from warping over time and to properly 'seal' the MDF. However, because we us an industrial grade, moisture resistant MDF there is no issue with leaving the reverse side of the skirting boards unpainted.
If, however, it is important to you that all faces are primed, please discuss this with our sales team and we will action the request. (There will most likely be a cost implication for the extra materials and labour though, so please bear this in mind.)
> Can I paint straight on to unprimed boards?
Unfortunately not- MDF needs to be primed before any paint is applied. If you paint straight onto the MDF, the paint will react with the MDF and cause the fibres to flare up. This in turn will create a rough and unsightly finish.
> Can I use a water-based paint on your primer?
> Will your primer have two coats?
Primer is applied in layers as it is sprayed. It is not like hand painting. Our sprayers move back and forth over the boards with the spray gun applying an even layer of paint across the surface of the board until the priming is up to standard. If, after prepping the boards, the primed finish is not up to standard and there is MDF showing through, the boards will be returned to the sprayer who will prime the boards again until the primed finish is at the standard we consistently send out.
If you have any doubts over the primed finish, we really recommend ordering a sample or reading some of the customer feedback in the reviews.
Product Size Queries
> Is it better to get 3050mm or 4200mm lengths?
There is no real definitive answer to this question. Ordering longer lengths generally means that you will have fewer joins in the board which in turn means less work for the fitters and a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing finish.
The lengths you order will also depend on the shape of your room and how you plan to make the various cuts required to go around the entire perimeter. There is also wastage considerations to take into account. We have written a blog article that explains in detail how to calculate the lengths you need for your project:
https://www.skirting4u.co.uk/blog/ordering-new-skirting-boards-allowing-for-wastage-n18
> What is the most common thickness for skirting boards?
The most commonly ordered skirting board thickness is 18mm. This is considered standard for new build homes. The vast majority of skirting boards are manufactured to this thickness.
For older, period properties, skirting boards were much thicker, often as thick as 30mm or more in some cases! The standard though is 18mm thick.
> Can you do custom size lengths?
We can cut your products to a specific length, though we strongly recommend that products are cut to size on site. We cannot produce custom lengths that are longer than 4200mm as this is the longest length we can produce currently.
If you require custom lengths, please let a member of our sales team know what you need and they will be able to help.
> Does the profile change with the height of the board?
This is a common assumption and it is important to be aware that no, the profile does not change as the height of the skirting or architrave increases or decreases. We have tried to make this as clear a possible on the individual product pages, but still sometimes this information is missed.
The profiles are made from tooling that is a set size, so as the overall size of the boards increases, the design stays the same size and the amount of 'fat' underneath the profile increases.
This will change the proportions between the profiled and flat section, which will impact the overall appearance of the product. Please be aware of this before ordering.
If you have any doubts, it is always best to order a custom made sample in the dimensions you are looking to install so that you can see exactly how the product will look before placing a full order.
Custom made samples can be ordered here: https://www.skirting4u.co.uk/product-samples/904-custom-made-skirting-board-sample
> What is a single set of architrave?
A single set of architrave consists of 2 lengths of architrave at 2440mm in length, and a length at 1220mm. This gives enough architrave for one face of the door- 2 uprights and one header. For more information about architrave sets, you can find a detailed explanation over at our blog:
https://www.skirting4u.co.uk/blog/architrave-sets-explained-n40
> Can you do custom thicknesses?
All of the material we manufacture in comes in standardised thicknesses (15mm, 8mm, 25mm, 30mm) as this is how MDF is manufactured. There are some further options that we don't stock as standard (both thicker and thinner variants) so if you require something different to what is available on our site let us know what you need and we will see if it is a possibility.
The thickness will not be completely custom, as you will be restricted by the standard thickness that the MDF sheet material is manufactured in.
> What are your largest profiles?
We have recently launched a range of larger profiles, which can be found here.
https://www.skirting4u.co.uk/89-tall-skirting-boards
Typically, the profile designs are around 100mm high, compared with an average of 40mm or so for our standard range f skirting boards.
> Do you produce boards at 5m length?
We don't currently supply any of our skirting boards in 5 metre lengths. At present, the longest lengths of skirting and architrave that we can produce are 4.2 metres long.
> Is a double set of architrave for two doors?
Prices / Discounts
> What's the cheapest profile you have?
Square skirting board is slightly cheaper than others in the range, owing to the fact that there is one less manufacturing process during the production of this profile.
> I've seen a code on a discount website, it's not working can you provide me one?
We never distribute discount codes to any third part websites. If you see a discount advertised anywhere other than the Skirting 4 U website it will be fake, and that is why it won't work in the checkout.
Third party discount sites exist to get huge numbers of traffic to their site, where they can make money from running banner ads. Lots of people search online for voucher codes for all sorts of businesses, so by advertising fake discount codes they are able to drive a lot of traffic to their sites, which in tern earns them a lot of advertising revenue.
If you stumble upon a fake voucher code for Skirting 4 U, please let us know and we will do whatever we can to get it removed.
> I have a large quote, will you be able to do anything with the price?
If you are looking at placing a large order, please contact our sales team to let us know exactly what you are looking to purchase, and they will be able to see if there can be any movement on price. Discounts offered depend on the size of your order, the type of finish you require as well as lead time, location and potential of future orders. It will also depend on how busy production is at the time your order is due to be placed. All discounts are reviewed on a case by case basis, so the more information you can provide us with the easier it will be for us to action.
> Where does it say the price including VAT?
Throughout the website, all prices are shown excluding VAT. The final amount with VAT added is shown in the cart before you checkout.
> Can I add to my order without paying for delivery again?
Yes, absolutely. If yu wish to add to an existing order, please call our sales team on 01922 451 689 and they can process this on your behalf. Alternatively you can email enquiries@skirting4u.co.uk to let us know what you need and we can set this up for you and call you back to process payment.
Rather than have multiple live orders at once, we will collate the original order with the additional items to create one single new order. This will minimise the risk of items getting misplaced as they go through production and help to ensure the successful fulfilment of your order.
> Do you price match competitors?
We do not have a price matching policy as standard, but if you have received a quote from a competitor and would like to see if we can match or beat it, please let us know the details and we will look into it to see if anything can be done Unlike some other suppliers, we don't guarantee that we will match another price, but we are happy to take a look on a case by case basis. If you would like us to look into pricing, please get in touch with our sales team who will be happy to help you.
> Can I use the same discount again?
Discount codes issued by us are generally only valid for a single transaction. If, however, a code issued to you is valid for multiple transactions we will make you aware of this at the time of issue.
> Are discount codes available?
As a company we rarely offer discount codes that are publicly available, nor do we price match other suppliers. We try very hard to offer competitive pricing all of the time, not just at certain times of the year.
If you are looking to place a larger order, it may be that we can offer you a slightly different price to that advertised on the website. If you would like us to put together a quote for you, please contact our sales team with your requirements and we will see if there is something we can do for you on price.
> Do you offer trade discount?
We sell direct to the trade and to the public. If you are a trade customer and would like to negotiate a discounted price, please let us know what it is that you require and we will assess your needs and offer the best price we can based on your circumstances. Any discount offered is strictly on a case by case basis.
Samples
> How long will my sample take to arrive?
In most cases, standard samples are sent out by Royal Mail 1st class delivery no later than 1 day after the order is placed. You should therefore receive samples no later than 2 working days after you have placed an order.
For custom made samples, please allow 3 working days for them to arrive, as they are not kept in stock and will need to be custom machined before being sent out to you.
> What finish are the samples in?
Our standard samples are all sent out with our primed finish. If you require something different, please consider ordering a custom sample.
Rebate Questions
> What is the standard height and depth of the rebates?
A cable rebate is 20mm high as standard, and a cable rebate is 40mm high.
The depth of these rebates depends on the overall thickness of the MDF it is being machined into. We leave 6mm of MDF on any given board so that it remains strong and does not snap. Therefore, the standard rebate depths for both cables and pipes are:
18mm MDF- rebate depth is 12mm
25mm MDF- rebate depth is 19mm.
More information concerning rebates can be found on this page of our website https://www.skirting4u.co.uk/content/7-Rebate
> Will the pipe rebate cover the pipes I've fitted?
It depends on the pipes you have fitted :-)
A pipe rebate on an 18mm board is 40mm high by 12mm deep. Generally copper pipes have a 5mm diameter and as such, along with the clips, willl fit comfortably behind a rebated skirting board when fitted flush to the wall. However, it is always worth checking either by ordering a sample or at least discussing it with one of our sales people to ensure the product will work for you before you place an order.
> Can you produce a custom rebate?
Custom rebates can be produced if required, but there are some restrictions as it depends on what is possible once the dimensions of the skirting board have been taken into account. If there is something specific you need please speak to a member of our sales team who will be able to help you explore what is possible.
> If I order one board with a rebate does that mean all my order will be rebated?
No, we will only put a rebate in boards if a rebate has been requested on the order.
> What does a rebate mean?
A rebate is a section of a skirting board or window board that has been removed in order to make a conduit space to allow wires or cables to run behind the skirting board. You can find out more about rebates by visiting this page on our site:
https://www.skirting4u.co.uk/content/7-Rebate
> Can you do a rebate in an architrave?
We have been asked this a few times. Whilst it is possible to put a rebate in an architrave, it is unclear quite what it would achieve.
Firstly, to accommodate a rebate the architrave would have to be 95mm wide or more. Secondly, the rebate would be cut from the edge of the architrave that is exposed when fitted, so it wouldn't cover anything!
It would be possible in theory to machine a small recess in the back of an architrave to create a channel in which you could potentially hide wires, but it would depend very much on the dimensions and style of the architrave. The best thing to do if you are looking for something like this is to contact us with your requirements and we will see if it is possible and help you as much as we can during the process.
Delivery
> Do you deliver to mainland Europe?
Not as standard- we deliver to UK Mainland only.
However, if you want to order our products for delivery to Europe, we recommend you sourcing a courier to deliver to Europe and we can deliver to your courier of choice in the UK.
> How are your products packaged?
As you will have probably seen from our reviews, we take packaging very seriously! When sending your order through a courier network, there are real risks of damage as we have no control over the people who are handling your goods. To minimise this risk, we wrap all of our products in a SUBSTANTIAL amount of large bubble wrap to avoid damage, as well as using cardboard corners where necessary.
If you have ordered skirting board covers, you may also find that some scrap MDF has been included in the package to stop the covers from snapping in transit, as these products are weaker than standard skirting boards.
Fully finished products are wrapped in grease proof paper to protect the paint finish from scratches in transit, and are then bubble wrapped as well.
If we are delivering your order ourselves, we don't use bubble wrap because we are in total control of the goods from our factory to your door, so we can guarantee no damage will occur.
Typically, each package will weigh around 15-20kgs and be up to 4.5m in length depending on the products that have been ordered.
> Can I request to be called before delivery?
You can request to be called before delivery by entering this instruction in the messages box during the checkout.
If Tuffnells are delivering your order, it is difficult for us to ensure that you do receive a call. We will make sure this instruction is added to the delivery label and whether you are called or not will depend on the driver on the day. This isn't something we have control over so we would advise not to rely on this happening for a successful delivery experience.
If we are delivering to you with our own driver we will be able to call ahead before delivery. As standard our drivers will contact you when they are on their way to you from their previous delivery, and we can contact our drivers at any time if you need us to get additional delivery instructions to the driver at the last minute or if you need specific information about your delivery.
> My pre-noon delivery arrived after 12:00, can I claim back this charge?
Absolutely. If you have paid the additional fee of £7.50 + VAT to receive your order before noon and for whatever reason this doesn't happen, let us know and we will reimburse you for the additional charge you paid.
> What happens if I'm not in when my product is delivered?
There are 2 different delivery scenarios. Your order could be delivered by one of our own drivers, or with Tuffnells- our courier partner.
If your order is scheduled to be delivered by one of our drivers, we will call you a day in advance with a 2 hour delivery window to make sure you are going to be in. If it transpires that you are not going to be in, we will discuss with you how you would like us to proceed. We can either agree a new delivery date, or have our driver leave the goods at the specified delivery address depending on what works best for you.
If your order is being delivered by courier and you are not in to receive the delivery, the courier has been instructed to leave the goods safe at the delivery address by default unless otherwise instructed. If this happens, the driver will take a photo of where the goods have been left as proof of delivery, and supply us with the information to pass on to you if required.
If there is nowhere for the goods to be left safe at the property, the courier will not make the delivery, and your order will be taken to the courier depot nearest to you. Arrangements will then be made for the delivery to take place the following day.
If you have any specific delivery requirements or concerns, you can discuss them with our team at any time prior to delivery, or simply add the instructions to your order in the 'messages' box during the checkout process.
> Can I choose when my product will be delivered?
Absolutely! We think it is really important that you can choose which delivery day works best for you. During the checkout process, you will be able to select your own delivery day from the calendar. This date will be confirmed on the order confirmation that is emailed to you as soon as your order is placed.
If at any point you need to amend your delivery date, please let us know by emailing enquiries@skirting4u.co.uk or by calling us or using the live chat facility and we will take the necessary steps this end to make sure goods are delivered on your revised delivery date.
> Can I get an ETA?
If your order is being delivered by Tuffnells (our courier partner), they do not currently provide ETA's or delivery windows other than the standard 08:00-18:00. However, you will receive an automated email from Tuffnells once they have scheduled your consignment, and this email contains the contact details of your local depot, so if you would like to contact them for more information on the day of delivery you are welcome to do so.
Likewise, if you would like to chase up your delivery on your behalf please contact us and we will do this. The ETA's provided by Tuffnells tend to be fairly 'loose' so please be aware of this before requesting more information.
If we are delivering to you using our own driver, we will call you on the day before your delivery is due to give you a 2 hour delivery window.
> Do you have a tracking number for my order?
Currently we do not operate an online tracking system, so if you need information about your order you can contact us directly and we can provide the information you need just by using your name or order number.
If your order is being delivered by courier, all of the information you need to track your order is provided in an automated email sent by Tuffnells when they have received your order in their delivery depot- look out for this in your inbox as well as your junk or spam folders!
> Can I specify the time of my delivery?
Unfortunately it is not possible for us to allow customers to specify a preferred delivery time. However, if there is a particular time that works for you, please let us know when you place your order and if there is a way of us accommodating the request we will do so.
> Will I get a call or a text when my goods are close?
If your order is being delivered by one of our own drivers, we ask that they send you a text or whatsapp message when they are on their way to you- usually around 30 minutes prior to arriving at the delivery address.
If your order is being delivered by courier, this is not a service that they are able to offer at this time. We can assist by contacting the courier on your behalf on the day of delivery to get a rough estimated time of arrival, so if you need this information please contact us on your delivery day and we will help you.
We will let you know the day before your scheduled delivery date whether your order is being sent with a courier or with one of our own drivers.
> What time frame will my delivery be?
Your order will be delivered between 08:00 and 18:00 on your chosen delivery date.
For most large orders, particularly in or around Birmingham, Greater London, Bristol and Manchester there is a good chance we will deliver your order ourselves, rather than use a courier. If this is the case we will contact you the day before delivery with a more accurate estimated time of arrival. This is usually a 2 hour delivery window, depending on the routes we have finalised for the drivers.
If your order is being shipped with Tuffnells (our courier partner) we are unable to specify a smaller or more accurate delivery window than the standard time frame of between 08:00-18:00. We can, however, get an estimated time of arrival from the courier on the morning of the day of your delivery should you need it. These are very loose estimates and are outside of our control, so please bear this in mind as the information is not always accurate unfortunately.
If you would like us to chase up your delivery for an arrival time please contact us on the morning of your delivery date and we will be happy to help. You should also receive an email from Tuffnells once your order has been shipped, so if you would like to contact them directly for more information about your delivery you are welcome to do so.
We have standard and express options with a pre-noon delivery available to select at checkout. If you pt for a pre noon service, all of the same information above applies, except for the delivery window being between 08:-12:00.
> How much does delivery cost?
As of April 2019, our delivery rates are (Ex VAT):
- £16.50 for all orders up to £150
- £24.00 for all orders with a total value between £151.00-£300.00
- £38.50 for all orders with a total value between £301.00-£500
- FREE for all orders with a total value of over £500
If you would like to upgrade to a pre-noon delivery, there is an additional supplementary charge of £7.50.
If you would like to upgrade to Express delivery (get your order in 2 working days instead of the standard 5 day turnaround) there is an additional £15.00 charge for this service.
If you would like to have your order delivered on a Saturday rather than a weekday, there is a supplementary charge of £30.00 for this service.
The price for delivery for all options is visible in the checkout once you have entered and save your delivery address. If you have any further questions about delivery please contact us.
> Who will be delivering my order?
Your order will either be delivered by our courier partners Tuffnells, or by one of our own drivers. We will make you aware which option applies to you the day before your delivery is due to be made, so you know what to expect for your delivery.
> Do you do next day delivery?
As standard, our fastest delivery service (Express) is a 2 working day service. We know that we can produce any order within this time frame. If you are desperate to receive a next day delivery, there is a chance we can achieve this for you.
If you need next day delivery please contact us via phone, email or live chat to see if we are able to produce your required products and get them shipped in time for next day delivery. If we can do it, we will!
Please note that next day delivery is impossible for all fully finished products because of the time we need to give the paint to properly dry before packaging or transporting.
> Will the driver carry the goods into my house?
Courier drivers are not insured to enter your home, so it is unlikely that they will bring goods into your house. There have been instances where some individual drivers have assisted in getting the packages inside the property, but you should assume that this won't be the case and ensure someone is at the property who can carry the goods. Most parcels are between 15-20kgs in weight, and will be between 3 metres and 4.5 metres in length depending on the products you have ordered.
If your order is delivered by one of our drivers, they will assist you as long as it is reasonable and safe to do so. We will have informed you on the day before your delivery whether your order is due to be delivered by courier or our driver so that you have time to make any necessary arrangements for accepting the delivery.
General FAQ
> Are your products environmentally friendly?
The MDF we use is manufactured from recycled wood fibres from sustainably manages forests. We are FSC registered to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability.
> Can the boards easily be removed so I can access my wires?
Whilst removing skirting boards is relatively straightforward, they aren't designed to be repeatedly removed and reinstalled. Running cables behind the skirting board is a fairly permanent arrangement so please bear this in mind when planning the installation.
> Can you use the skirting board in the bathroom?
> Do you make custom profiles?
Yes, we can manufacture in a custom design, whether it is because you need to exactly match something you already have in situ or you have designed a profile yourself we can make it for you.
To exactly replicate your bespoke design we will need an accurate scale drawing or physical sample of the profile. To get the process started, please speak with one of our sales advisors who will be able to help you.
> Can you produce in PVC?
No. PVC skirting and architrave are completely different products to what we have the capability to manufacture.
> Are your skirting boards moisture resistant?
> What does MDF mean?
> Do you produce architrave covers?
No, we don't. An architrave cover won't work in the same way that a skirting cover does. Firstly, a skirting cover is taller than the original skirting board- if you were to try and do this with architrave it would overhang into the door aperture and there would be nothing there to fix it to because architrave is fitted close to the edge of the door frame!
Secondly, on a skirting board the rebated part of the board sits flush against the floor, so it is never seen. If an architrave cover was manufactured in the same way, the rebate would be visible along the exposed flat edge of the architrave and would look horrible!
> Do you keep boards in stock?
No, we do not keep any skirting boards or architrave in stock. All of our products are custom made to order, and as such we do not hold stock of any products on site.
> Which skirting board is the most popular style?
There are several skirting board profiles that are very popular and have been for years. Torus skirting board is perhaps the most widely used, ad it is the most likely style to be used in new build homes. Bullnose is another very popular style. We have grouped ll of the more 'commonly found' skirting boards into this category:
https://www.skirting4u.co.uk/44-standard
