Responsibilities With Lumberyards

Question: 

When you’re selling trusses through a lumberyard and the contractor calls to say that the “trusses don't fit correctly,” who has the ultimate responsibility for the trusses? I argue that the lumberyard is responsible since we have provided them with all the information on how the job was designed, even though they may or may not have passed this information on to the contractor.

Answer: 

It is really a question of your contractual relationship with the lumberyard. What type of agreement do you have with the lumberyard? Are you contracted to assist the contractor with the trusses or does your communication end with the lumberyard? Take a good look at your contract with the lumberyard to determine who has the ultimate responsibility to the contractor. If you do not have a written contract or letter defining what your responsibilities are and there is a problem or disagreement, the contract will be based on your discussions (oral agreements) and your actions. Ultimately, if the issue is not resolved between the parties, it will be resolved in court. This is why SBCA encourages all of our members to use SBCA’s TTB – Standard Responsibilities in the Design and Application of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses and to have those they work with sign this document. This document defines the scope of work of all parties. Then responsibility is clear when a problem occurs, either during or after the project.

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