Log cabin delivery day checklist: What to do once your garden building arrives

This blog is a guide to everything you need to do once your garden building arrives, what to check upon delivery, how to store the timber correctly, how to count the parts and how to prepare for installation.

Check your log cabin delivery as soon as it arrives

Before signing for the delivery, make sure you inspect the package through for any damage. Garden buildings are large, heavy products and contain a number of separate parts so spotting any issues before you start unpacking can make any damages easier to resolve. 

Walk around the entire delivery and check the package for any signs that the package might have been damaged in transit. Check the corners of the pallet and timber, door and window packs.

It can also be helpful to compare the number of packages delivered against your order confirmation. Larger log cabins are usually supplied in larger packs and other items such as roof shingles might arrive separately. 

Once your package has arrived, we recommend capturing the information on the label such as the unique package number and supplier code. In the unlikely event of a problem during installation, you’ll need these numbers. Take a photograph and keep it somewhere safe in case you need it. 

If you’re not planning on opening the package straight away, check for any rips or tears in the packaging due to handling. Tape or cover these rips up to prevent water from getting into the package and damaging the timber. 

Watch our full video on what to look out for upon delivery of your log cabin or summerhouse here:

How to store your log cabin correctly before installation

If you’re not intending to install your log cabin or summerhouse straight away, it’s essential to store the parts correctly. Once the parts have been unbanded and moved to your desired storage location, you’ll need to store the timber in a way that prevents it from twisting, bowing or warping. 

The majority of your delivery will consist of log cabin logs which should always be: 

• Stored flat 

• Kept stacked on top of one another 

• Supported unevenly underneath 

• Kept off the ground

The weight of the stacked timber helps to keep the logs straight. If individual logs are leaned against a wall, left standing upright or stored unevenly, they can start to twist or bow over time which can cause problems during installation. 

Watch our video for information on how to store the timber for your log cabin or summerhouse correctly:

Count and identify the parts before installation

Before you begin building your log cabin or summerhouse, we recommend counting the parts to make sure you’ve got everything you need. Every Tuin garden building comes with a parts list and is a guide to the parts included in your delivery. 

Most parts will be labelled with a part number so are easy to identify. There may be some parts without numbers, but the parts list provided contains diagrams and sizes of all the parts included, so you’ll be able to identify each one using a tape measure and compare against the list.

If you find that you have missing parts, please contact our customer service team and we’ll help ensure you have everything you need for your garden building installation. 

For more information on counting and identifying the parts of your log cabin, watch our video below:

If you want to know more about the tools you’re likely to need and preparation required before delivery day, please read our blog: How to prepare for your log cabin or summerhouse installation

Let’s get started with building your log cabin or summerhouse

Once you’ve checked all the parts and have everything you need for installation, it’s time to start constructing your garden building. Before installing the first piece of timber, we recommend taking time to read through the supplied instructions and elevation drawings to understand where each part should go. 

If you’ve already identified the parts, you should know which pieces are which, so start by working out which are wall and floor logs and find your foundation beams. Every Tuin log cabin and summerhouse comes supplied with building instructions and elevation drawings which show where each part goes from the ground upwards in an exact order, so you have everything you need to start building.  

You’ll also need the floor diagrams in which the walls are labelled, which will help you to determine where the first layer of logs need to be laid. Lay these out on your chosen base to get started.

Watch our video for more information on where to get started when building your log cabin or summerhouse:

Final checks before you start building

Now your log cabin has been delivered, you’re one step closer to building your new garden retreat, office or workshop. By checking your delivery over, ensuring you have all the correct parts available and that nothing has been damaged in transit, you can ensure that your installation gets off to the best possible start. 

It can be tempting to dive straight in and start assembling the first wall logs but, spending a little extra time preparing can save you time during the installation. Correct preparation helps you avoid common issues such as missing components, warped timber, incorrectly positioned parts or problems fitting doors and windows. 

Once everything has been checked, organised and laid out correctly, building your new garden retreat becomes far simpler and much more enjoyable. 

For the next step of building your log cabin or summerhouse, read our blog: What is the best base for a log cabin or summerhouse?

If you’re unsure about any of the parts delivered with your log cabin or need assistance during the build, keep your unique package number and supplier code handy and contact our team for support.