Rendering courtesy of Acton Ostiary

Mass timber offers undeniable advantages—from fast installation to climate performance and aesthetic versatility. But unlocking those advantages relies on a coordinated approach across the entire project team.

That’s the lesson behind the new Mass Timber Construction Success Checklist, a straightforward, three-page tool developed by WoodWorks BC in partnership with Seagate Construction. Designed for general contractors and project teams, this checklist helps ensure nothing essential slips through the cracks when planning and executing a mass timber build.

Unlike traditional structural systems, mass timber is prefabricated and pre-cut with tight tolerances. That means success relies on early, detailed planning—and full team alignment. The checklist is structured around the full project timeline, beginning with design-phase considerations such as coordinating construction tolerances and specifying coatings, and moving through pre-mobilization, delivery logistics, installation, and post-installation follow-up.

Key focus areas include moisture management, MEP coordination, laydown logistics, crane and rigging plans, and expectations for visual quality. Items often overlooked—like bracing plans, maximum size for field-cut penetrations, and sequencing of deliveries—are clearly laid out to help contractors ask the right questions and avoid delays or rework.

One of the strengths of this resource is its practicality. “This isn’t a theoretical guide,” says Derek Ratzlaff, Technical Director with WoodWorks BC. “It’s designed by builders, for builders—drawing from field experience to help teams anticipate common scope issues and get ahead of coordination challenges.”

Whether you're new to mass timber or looking to improve efficiency on your next project, this tool makes it easier to capture the full benefits that mass timber offers—from shorter schedules to a safer, quieter jobsite.

The Mass Timber Construction Success Checklist is available for free download from the Canadian Wood Council’s digital resource hub. For anyone involved in delivering timber projects, it’s a simple but powerful tool for aligning teams, minimizing risk, and setting up for success.