Photo Credit: StructureCraft Builders

When a WoodWorks-supported mass timber project fails to go to construction, cost is
the most frequently cited cause. But in many cases, the underlying issue is contractor uncertainty. General Contractors unfamiliar with mass timber often inflate bids to account for perceived risk, driving up project costs and stalling otherwise viable developments.
This challenge was also reflected in an SLB and WoodWorks study examining obstacles preventing increased adoption of mass timber.

To help address this issue, the WoodWorks Construction Management (CM) team is reaching out proactively to mass timber projects at the “Waiting for Construction” stage. In Q1, the CM team supported 22 mass timber projects nationwide, providing early-
stage constructability guidance and contractor education. They helped teams navigate challenges such as system coordination, erection logistics, and bid preparation, particularly for contractors new to mass timber. The team also strengthened alignment between GCs, erectors, and suppliers while supporting active construction troubleshooting. 

WoodWorks increased support for this effort last year by deploying a second staff member to the CM team full-time. GCs educated by WoodWorks frequently go on to bid on and construct additional mass timber projects on their own, boosting the pool of qualified contractors and even becoming WoodWorks partners. Construction speed is a key benefit of mass timber and, without qualified and trained installers, that advantage could erode quickly. Through site visits and direct engagement, WoodWorks improves GCs’ execution readiness and helps move projects closer to construction.

MARKET IMPACT

• Advance stalled projects into construction.

• Make mass timber projects more competitive with concrete and steel.