Why Carpenters Must Ditch Manual Timber Lists

Stuck in the Past? It’s Costing You

Some carpenters are still clinging to outdated ways of doing things - printing off plans, grabbing a ruler and highlighter, and manually counting every piece of timber. If that’s you, you’re not alone. It’s how most of us learned. But just because it worked then doesn’t mean it works best now.

In 2025, there’s no excuse for wasting hours on something that AI can handle in seconds. New-age technology like TimberTec is here to take the grunt work out of your day. If you’re still doing timber lists by hand, you’re bleeding time, increasing risk, and missing out on profits.

Let’s break down the shift and walk through how to actually develop a modern timber list - step by step.

The Manual Timber List — Slow, Risky, and Outdated

Traditionally, timber lists have been done with:

• Paper plans
• Highlighters and rulers
• Manual notes or spreadsheets

You sit down at a desk, mark up walls, count studs, plates, beams, joists, and jot it all down. Then double-check. Then triple-check. If you miss something? It can cost you time, materials, and credibility on-site.

Here’s the problem with that method:

• Human error is inevitable
• It takes hours, especially on bigger jobs
• Changes to plans mean starting all over again
• Quotes are delayed, making you look slow or unorganised

You wouldn’t build a house with hand tools alone. Why do the same with your planning process?

Explore Timber List automation at TimberTec Read more on The Rise of Digital Tools in Construction.

Why Carpenters Resist Change

It’s not laziness—it’s habit. Most chippies are flat-out. The idea of learning new software, changing your process, or trusting AI feels like just another headache. But that mindset is a trap. Its worth a shot, so give it a go and we think you’ll be very surprised. Here’s the truth.

What’s really behind the resistance:

• “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality
• Fear of tech, especially if you’re not a “computer person”
• Worry it’s too complicated or time-consuming to learn
• Scepticism about accuracy or reliability

The truth? Tools like TimberTec are made for you—not for some IT guy in an office. Upload your plans, and within seconds, you get a clean, accurate, ready-to-use timber list. No extra training. No drama.

See TimberTec in action

Step-by-Step – How to Create a Timber List (the Smart Way)

Let’s walk through what it actually looks like to develop a timber list in today’s world—no highlighters needed.

Step 1: Upload Your Plans

Start with your architectural and structural PDFs—floor plans, elevations, sections, and framing details. Simply upload them to the TimberTec platform.

Step 2: Let the AI Scan & Identify

The software automatically scans the plans, identifies all key framing elements, and pulls out data on:

• Wall framing (studs, top and bottom plates, lintels)
• Floor systems (joists, bearers, blocking)
• Roof framing (rafters, beams, trusses)
• Bracing and tie-down components

Step 3: Generate the Timber List

With AI analysis complete, TimberTec generates a full Timber List including:

• Timber types and grades (e.g. MGP10, MGP12)
• Sizes and lengths
• Quantity by application (studs, plates, etc.)
• Clear location breakdowns (ground floor, upper, etc.)

Step 4: Export and Use

Export it as a PDF or Excel file. Use it to:

• Quote a job instantly
• Order timber directly
• Send to your team or supplier
• Adjust instantly if plans change

It’s that easy. What used to take hours now takes minutes—and it’s more accurate.

The Benefits of Modern Timber Lists

Once you ditch the manual method and embrace tools like TimberTec, here’s what you get:

1. Massive Time Savings. What used to take half a day now takes 5 minutes. That’s time back to quote more jobs or knock off earlier.
2. Professionalism. Suppliers take you seriously when your timber lists are clean and accurate. Clients love quick turnarounds.
3. Reduced Errors .TimberTec sees what humans miss. Fewer mistakes = fewer reorders, fewer hold-ups on-site.
4. Scalability. Quoting multiple townhouses? No stress. Big or small, TimberTec scales with you.
5. Future-Proofing. As jobs get more complex and clients expect more, those who keep doing things the old way will get left behind.

Why smart builders are switching to TimberTec

Breaking Habits, Building Smarter

We get it. Change feels hard. But what’s harder is watching others win more work, quote faster, and operate smoother—while you’re stuck wrestling with paper plans and spreadsheets.

The game’s changing. And the ones who adapt are the ones who’ll thrive. If you’re a chippie who’s still printing plans and highlighting every stud manually, it’s time to evolve. Not just for speed or profit—but because your time is worth more. Your future projects deserve the best tools available. So do you.

Questions & Answers

Q: Do I need to be tech-savvy to use TimberTec?

A: Not at all. TimberTec is built to be simple—just upload your plans, and the platform does the rest. No advanced skills required. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to use.

Q: Is the Timber List accurate enough for real jobs?

A: Yes. It uses AI trained specifically on framing plans. It matches and often exceeds manual accuracy while saving you hours.

Q: What if my plans change mid-project?

A: Easy. Upload the updated plan and generate a revised timber list in minutes. No need to start from scratch.