Yes, very much so. Permission is always required from the official body or person who owns the land. It is recommended that you obtain this permission in writing in order to avoid misunderstandings which can result if there is a change of personnel - this is particularly the case with churches and councils. If we incur extra costs or suffer delay due to the permission not being obtained then we reserve the right to charge accordingly. This is entirely the responsibility for you, the client. It is not practical or sensible for us to become involved. We can only arrive on site and carry out the installation.
Again yes. The method chosen must be approved. Some authorities insist on the bench free standing on slabs, some want them fixed to slabs, some insist on them being secured by cementing into position. We can oblige with whatever method is required.
No. A bench can always be stolen. It is not possible to install it in such a way as to render it thief proof. We use heavy duty brackets, shear nuts to secure shield anchors and we drill out the drive of some of the stainless steel screws but a determined thief will always be successful. A bench that has a carved inscription is less likely to be stolen than a bench with no inscription or only a plaque.
No. This must be arranged by yourself. The plinth should be 300m longer than the bench , 75mm thick and preferably 1200mm front to back to accommodate one's feet.
I am looking for a bench in memory of my grandfather. It would be placed in the garden and we would want it to last as long as possible. I am interested in your Oxford range and the engraving on them. Would you be able to send a price list and some advice on whether this is the range to go for. Many thanks. NB
Oxford range is the heaviest and strongest range of benches that we manufacture and by dint of the fact that the large section timbers enable us to make very strong jointing (traditional mortice and tenons) it will have the maximum possible life – we always recommend that if your budget allows then choose from this range.
If the bench is stood on a couple of concrete slabs or similar hard standing then the bench should be giving seating pleasure in 35 years time, if not longer, with some degree of maintenance. The most important contribution to giving the bench a long life is keeping the bench free of algae/moss etc in later life and keeping the legs away from soil or grass as timber will always fail/rot first where it is in contact with moisture. We can supply concrete slabs if required for the bench to stand on.
If your budget does not run to a bench from the Oxford range then choose a bench from the Woodstock range if possible as these are also strongly built.
Benches in the Burford range are still likely to have a life of at least 30 years if stood on a hard surface and are kept clear of algae etc.
What you will see when you cost out your bench is that the total difference between the cheapest and the most expensive is not that great when you take all costs into account and most people do then opt for a bench from the Oxford range.
