lumber prices

[SHEDHEAD]

looks like I picked the wrong fall to build a shop. An 8 foot 2x4 is almost $7 bucks! Sheet of OSB is almost $30. Maybe I will wait. But doubt we will see a decrease.

[theoldguy]

Originally Posted by SHEDHEAD

looks like I picked the wrong fall to build a shop. An 8 foot 2x4 is almost $7 bucks! Sheet of OSB is almost $30. Maybe I will wait. But doubt we will see a decrease.

I hear you. I bought 2 - 12’ 2X6 treated last week - $36. Crazy.

[CranePete]

I need to build a boat shed, just a simple thing. Found 6’ 2x4 @ 3.50 ea, but found cull 1/2” plywood(from local WF plant) for $15/sheet.

[Grizzly Adams]

Son called me in shock last week, he paid about 9. for a stud, in Three Hills. Lumber. like a lot of other stuff is traded as a commodity and the price is readily manipulated. Hurricanes, for one, tend to drive the price up, might relate to fires in NW US as well, that could affect supply.

Grizz

[Drewski Canuck]

In 2007 I was building a 26 x 28 9 foot wall garage. I went into a number of lumber yards dressed in a suit (work clothes!)

A Salesman would come over all excited asking if I was building Condos or an apartment building, and I would tell them it was a garage. The Salesman would turn and tell someone else (a kid usually) to help me.


In January 2009 I was starting to build the cabin (1700 Sq Ft walkout). I would walk up to the counter dressed in grubby clothes. The Salesmen were shaking my hand and calling me "Sir". It was so bad that the UFA in Athabasca told me that whatever price I may get to come back and see them. If they did not get the job, they would have to close their yard.

A 2 x 12 x 16' that was going for $48 the year before, was now selling for $16.05.

I did not build with Lami Beams, as they were still priced in the mid $30's.

Turned out that the mill in Boyle had so much wood cut and wrapped for US delivery that they rented a pasture to store it all. It looked like a Glacier of White. When the wood did not sell, (I believe it was at that time a Weyerhuaser mill,) they simply blew it out at rock bottom prices. They had not shipped a train of boards to the US since August 2008 and had gone from triple shift to skeleton crew on reduced work week.

But yes, things like fires burning towns, hurricanes destroying whole areas, Tsunami's in Japan, all drive up the price of our wood.

The biggest factor is because of the Mountain Pine Beetle, Interior BC has no wood to cut and sell. It will take 40 years for their trees to replenish. Until then, Alberta has wood to sell.

Lets hope that Justin doesn't take that away from us Too!

Drewski

[TimeOff]

Lumber is over $900 usd per 1000 board/foot, a historic high. Almost double the historic high 3 years ago. This time last year was $250 usd.

[fordtruckin]

I just bought 2 sheets of 3/4 plywood 2 2x4x12 and 8 2x4x8s to build some Vtac 9 hole barricades and was shocked when the price came in over 200$. Covid shutting down all the mills and these fires are driving demand sky high and supply is low. Never thought I’d pay 42$ for a sheet of plywood....

[oldgutpile]

The local yard here is reporting a record year in volume sales. While everybody is stuck at home, they are renovating.
Supply and demand!

[Dean2]

This is the classic example of, if you can wait to build you definitely want to. Most building supplies are way up and lumber is up around 400%. Unless the building is critical a guy can save a ton by waiting.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Only positive is we are probably now getting a fair price for our lumber. At $300/fbm hardly pays for cost of logging, truck hauling, sawing, planning and kiln drying.
My only concern is now forestry companies will be going full out cutting All the timber on our trapline.

[schleprock]

The UFA in St. Paul had a clearance sale on ground contact/pressure treated lumber last month. It was really good looking lumber so I bought two hundred and fifty sixteen foot long 2x4’s for $5 each. Missed out on the 2x6 and 2x8’s but am still very pleased.

[Moosetalker]

This year I wanted to put a wood floor down for the camps wall tent but at these prices I guess the tarp and carpet will have to do.

[Trochu]

I heard the mills reopened, but if they were going to run a double or triple shift, they had to sanitize between shifts. The cost was analyzed, and they decided to stick with one guy at the controls, no sanitization required.

That being said, if you need wood of any substance, I'd strongly recommend contacting a local, private mill. Should be considerably cheaper.

[Glion]

And companies that quoted prices in the spring but didn't have lumber stock are watching their margins dissappear quickly as they were quoting low to get work and now have increased input costs.

[tri777]

I got the lumber slap to my face last month also getting 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood,
down graded to 1/2", lol.

[omega50]

And in related future news-Expect rampant site theft.
Have it delivered in the morning and have it built by night or it will be gone the next day

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by omega50

And in related future news-Expect rampant site theft.
Have it delivered in the morning and have it built by night or it will be gone the next day

Most building sites already have fences and security features, this isn't a new problem.

Grizz

[TBark]

Bought in to a Norwood MN26 sawmill last year.
One of our quarters boarders crown up near Valleyview.
Will see what we can do with the beaver dropped trees on or just off our pc.
Might look into a TM66 monthly permit for $7 too.

TBark

[260 Rem]

Just finished cedar deck and have 50pcs 2 X 4 X 12 ‘ tight knot surplus to my needs so if someone is building a small deck ... will sell for what I paid ... $18.00 ea. Edmonton / Tofield

[Ken07AOVette]

I was going to add 20x40x16 onto my garage for the boat,

maybe next year.

[Sooner]

I was going to rebuild my shed roof(after 25 yrs it is rotting out) and add another 2 feet of height for another shelf. Might need to tarp it for the winter and wait till the spring now after reading this thread.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Sooner

I was going to rebuild my shed roof(after 25 yrs it is rotting out) and add another 2 feet of height for another shelf. Might need to tarp it for the winter and wait till the spring now after reading this thread.

Thing is though, the way things seem to be headed, prices may be even higher?

[wildwoods]

Prices won’t get lower until the consumer burns up the lumber yards high priced stock. I spoke to a huge supplier this week and he doesn’t expect to see a decrease until first or second quarter next year.

[ceadog]

Speaking as a guy working for an apartment building developer, there's a supply shortage due to the COVID shutdowns and a demand increase due to renos, the busy US market and more resolution on the softwood lumber trade issue.

Two thoughts:
1. Wait for a while (like spring) and let the supply catch up.
2. Opt for longer boards - the 10-16' lengths haven't seen the same demand from the DIY folks. Also, stay the heck away from the box stores and see what other yards can quote you.

[GummyMonster]

Good morning,
Wondering what the best way is to monitor lumber prices. I have several medium sized projects to build, but none are critical.
I found this site : https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-...l-prices/13309

Any other suggestions?
Trying to find a way to purchase lumber at the best price, regardless of the time Of year.
Thanks in advance.
Ken