The price of lumber these days!!

[Reg]

I’m trying to negotiate 3 truckloads of Pine to ship May, June, July and my choice is to take it at whatever market condition is at time, or have nothing. It’s ridiculous. I commit without knowing cost.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

As crazy as the lumber prices have shot up, the funny thing is , composite decking is still pretty much the same price as a year ago.

.

Can't build a house with composite decking.

[Baz]

Just returned from HD with supplies for my next project. Going to extend my back concrete patio another 4'. It's 42' long and is raised so will use a bit of lumber to get this done.

Today I just picked up what i need to make the frame and will get the rest of the deck boards next trip.

In case you didn't know - at least at my branch - they will mark lumber down to 70% off if it has imperfections. At my store, they use purple spray paint and spray the end that has the plastic label on it, so the cashier will take note when she rings everything up.

What constitutes the adequate level of imperfection might be debatable. The HD associate I worked with was pretty reasonable and like all things in business it helps to have a positive personality when negotiating these things.

My items would have totaled $385 but with the discount only came to $303, so I saved about $82. The imperfections won't even be noticeable for this project.

I'll post again in the continuing projects thread once things get going but just thought I'd pass along this tip for anyone interested. 70% off is a pretty good discount, IMHO!

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by pmax

Can't build a house with composite decking.

Didn't you watch Rescue Me? Everyone knows Firefighters make a tidy second income building decks on their off days!

[varmint]

Am I the only one who’s been scavenging lumber from the dump?

Haven’t had to buy from the yard for years. But haven’t done anything major either.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Baz

Just returned from HD with supplies for my next project. Going to extend my back concrete patio another 4'. It's 42' long and is raised so will use a bit of lumber to get this done.

Today I just picked up what i need to make the frame and will get the rest of the deck boards next trip.

In case you didn't know - at least at my branch - they will mark lumber down to 70% off if it has imperfections. At my store, they use purple spray paint and spray the end that has the plastic label on it, so the cashier will take note when she rings everything up.

What constitutes the adequate level of imperfection might be debatable. The HD associate I worked with was pretty reasonable and like all things in business it helps to have a positive personality when negotiating these things.

My items would have totaled $385 but with the discount only came to $303, so I saved about $82. The imperfections won't even be noticeable for this project.

I'll post again in the continuing projects thread once things get going but just thought I'd pass along this tip for anyone interested. 70% off is a pretty good discount, IMHO!

Since you show you yours, I will show you mine. When done, how's that? So far, I have about 4k in lumber. That's not including the Ipe decking that's coming next couple months.

My 13, and my lazy 15 year old boys are doing some of the work. Its their first big project and are getting pay so there's some skin in the game for them. My little one is great, walks out onto the edge and help me slip the joist into the hangers. I've forgotten how heavy 4x materials is. Maybe that's why they are so damn expensive?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by look 171

Since you show you yours, I will show you mine. When done, how's that? So far, I have about 4k in lumber. That's not including the Ipe decking that's coming next couple months.

My 13, and my lazy 15 year old boys are doing some of the work. Its their first big project and are getting pay so there's some skin in the game for them. My little one is great, walks out onto the edge and help me slip the joist into the hangers. I've forgotten how heavy 4x materials is. Maybe that's why they are so damn expensive?

Would LOVE to see yours!

I will be posting mine over here:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1023147-continuing-thread-what-you-fix-iting-today-34.html

And hope you will, as well.

I just did a calculation on the remaining deck boards I will need to finish mine and the grand total for my project should be approx. $707.84, not including any further imperfection discounts I may capture.

I'm sure your project is much grander in scale plus will turn out much better since I'm the world's worst carpenter....

I really love you are getting the boys involved. Something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. That no one can take away. Cannot be understated how valuable that is!

[cabmandone]

There goes Baz showing off his wood again.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by varmint

Am I the only one who’s been scavenging lumber from the dump?.

I’m not, but it sounds like a good idea. I’m astounded by the good material contractors throw out just because the clients are paying time + materials and builder is in a hurry.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by cabmando

There goes Baz showing off his wood again.

And you dislike my rough and big wood?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I’m not, but it sounds like a good idea. I’m astounded by the good material contractors throw out just because the clients are paying time + materials and builder is in a hurry.

If you are willing to pull out old nails, go through and make sure there's no twist on the old lumber, that will be fine. Everything takes time. Labor is a lot more then time. Which one are people are willing to burn? Plus, the old lumber may have termites in them. That's not to say new lumber is completely free, but that chance I am willing to take. Its just simple economics.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Baz

Would LOVE to see yours!

I will be posting mine over here:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1023147-continuing-thread-what-you-fix-iting-today-34.html

And hope you will, as well.

I just did a calculation on the remaining deck boards I will need to finish mine and the grand total for my project should be approx. $707.84, not including any further imperfection discounts I may capture.

I'm sure your project is much grander in scale plus will turn out much better since I'm the world's worst carpenter....

I really love you are getting the boys involved. Something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. That no one can take away. Cannot be understated how valuable that is!

Ok, I will post a couple pic there.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by look 171

If you are willing to pull out old nails, go through and make sure there's no twist on the old lumber, that will be fine. Everything takes time. Labor is a lot more then time.

I'm not talking about old lumber. I've just been through a bathroom remodel. If they needed a 5 foot 2x4 and they have is a 4 1/2 drop, they throw the 4 1/2 on the dumpster and cut up an 8. Later, when they need a 4 1/2 they cut up another 8.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I'm not talking about old lumber. I've just been through a bathroom remodel. If they needed a 5 foot 2x4 and they have is a 4 1/2 drop, they throw the 4 1/2 on the dumpster and cut up an 8. Later, when they need a 4 1/2 they cut up another 8.

What do they do if they need a 12' though?

Originally Posted by look 171

Ok, I will post a couple pic there.

Awesome......love to see them. Your joists make mine look like tooth picks!

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by look 171

Since you show you yours, I will show you mine. When done, how's that? So far, I have about 4k in lumber. That's not including the Ipe decking that's coming next couple months.

My 13, and my lazy 15 year old boys are doing some of the work. Its their first big project and are getting pay so there's some skin in the game for them. My little one is great, walks out onto the edge and help me slip the joist into the hangers. I've forgotten how heavy 4x materials is. Maybe that's why they are so damn expensive?

Is that legal in California? Rainforest lumber and all?

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I’m not, but it sounds like a good idea. I’m astounded by the good material contractors throw out just because the clients are paying time + materials and builder is in a hurry.

Time is money, labor costs more than the material. As lumber prices rise more care will be taken to minimize waste.

There was a time homesteaders would burn down a barn sift through the ash and collect the nails and recycle them or a bent nail would be straightened and reused because they were expensive. Now no one gives a nail a second thought.

[URY914]

Today I was at my local Lowe's. The sign on the 2x4x8 is now electronic so they can change it remotely. Damn near $10 with tax for a crappy pine 2x4!!! And a pressure treated 2x4x8 was $9.75!

[Baz]

[A930Rocket]

It’s gotten so bad, we might be switching to plywood exteriors because OSB has gotten so expensive and hard to come by.

Also, lumber has historically been about $300 per 1,000 board feet is now at $1,100.

We’ve stopped selling homes in some areas because we can’t build them. Add in land we can’t develop or get housing permits for, because local governments are all but shut down.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

It’s gotten so bad, we might be switching to plywood exteriors because OSB has gotten so expensive and hard to come by.

Also, lumber has historically been about $300 per 1,000 board feet is now at $1,100.

We’ve stopped selling homes in some areas because we can’t build them. Add in land we can’t develop or get housing permits for, because local governments are all but shut down.

There’s an acre near the mouth of the river. The owner had intended to build. But prices just shot out of control. I’m getting some funds together and going to make an offer. Other people’s misfortune is my opportunity.