Frequently asked questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about old building materials, delivery, transport, returns and purchasing at Van Dillen Antique Building Materials.
For both new and antique materials it is common to allow an extra margin of 5% to 10%. This covers cutting, breakage, sorting and installation loss. With antique materials the margin is often slightly higher because the material is authentic and can be more varied or fragile. We are happy to advise on the right quantity for your material and application.
Authentic building materials almost never have perfectly identical dimensions. Many products were handmade, so differences of millimetres or even centimetres can occur. Processing these materials requires more craftsmanship, but the result is a unique and characterful finish.
Unless stated otherwise, our materials are delivered almost ready for use. They are prepared for processing, but not spotless: traces of lime, history or dismantling may remain. These details are part of the authentic colour nuance. Antique stones will never be exactly identical to an existing facade, even when they are the same type.
We deliver directly from our own stock, so after order and payment we can often deliver quickly. If you order and pay on a working day before 15:00, delivery can often take place two days later. Weekends and public holidays are excluded.
Antique materials are scarce and the route from careful dismantling to reuse is labour intensive. Materials are removed, transported, cleaned by hand where needed, sorted by size, colour and quality, and stored. That craftsmanship and scarcity make antique materials valuable.
Yes, we buy materials that fit our quality segment. For more information, please see our purchasing page.
The purchase price depends on quality, rarity and quantity. We mainly buy larger batches; for larger volumes we can offer a market-based price that works for both parties. Small quantities are usually not suitable for purchase.
Yes, we can arrange transport throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Deliveries elsewhere in Europe are also possible, although they may require a longer lead time.
For several reasons we cannot accept returns of materials. Please see our general terms and conditions for the details of this policy.
Returning packaging is the customer's responsibility. You can return the packaging at our location, after which we refund the deposit. We do not collect packaging on site.
Our materials are packed in different units. On average, a pallet contains about 12 m2 of masonry bricks, and a crate contains roughly 35 to 40 m2 of quarry tiles.
Our transport vehicles are equipped with a mounted forklift, so they can unload independently. Please note that it can only drive as far as conditions allow, on hardened ground and preferably not on a driveway. If the desired spot is inaccessible, the driver unloads at the nearest suitable location.
