September 2023
Framing lumber pricing continues to sag downward bit by bit. Everyone seems concerned about a long winter, “business” is going and holding inventory. Directly tied into that is very low inventory levels on most products all throughout the distribution chain. This also includes construction OSB and plywood. The general consensus contradicting low inventories is that we collectively have another good 60 days of brisk fall sales.
Other types of lumber (cedar treated, redwood, finish plywoods) and so on have remained relatively constant over the past four months.
We’re coming onto the “winter” season when price changes are generally announced in a broad spectrum of items like deck stains, composite decking, doors and windows and other manufactured products. We are thinking minimal changes are coming, but there seems to be pressure to both increase and decrease prices – time will tell!
August 2023
June/July 2023
Lumber prices are up and down depending on what you need.
Framing lumber paused in its upward march in very late July after moving steadily up through June and July. Mixed economic news is causing a lot of concern throughout the distribution channel – no-one is wanting to “take a chance” either in price, in case it goes down, or they don’t want to carry the inventory in case there’s a recession or pricing slips backwards, etc.
In confused times such as these we see lots of ripple effects – to name just one – construction grade plywood is VERY competitive with the pricing of OSB/waferboard. This is NOT a usual state of affairs.
Wood products other than framing/construction lumber remain steady in price. These include redwood, cedar, pine boards, etc.
Lumber and building materials availability of almost all items is pretty good.
HOWEVER, we are seeing spot shortages of certain specific items. As we almost always suggest – plan ahead, don’t assume the material is available the second you need it.
