Lumber Prices

WImuzz

5 year old buck +
Do you guys and gals think the lumber prices will normalize any time soon? I know its tied to COVID, workforce, and supply...but I'd like your opinions on a time frame. Like everyone, I have sheds, deer stands and other projects I'd like to start!
 
They have gone down some from what they were a couple months ago
 
They are obscene in east texas

bill
 
In Wisconsin, a regular framing 2x4 is still over $5 each and a 2x6 is about $10ea.
 
They jumped again recently in WI. Treated 2x4 was in the $5’s now back to $7+.
 
I'm so darn glad I built when I did. My jaw dropped last summer when I had to buy a few boards to build a stand for a tower.
 
We work in the industry and the issue is production. Paper mills, lumber processors, board plants, etc. all went into a reduced production mode when covid hit. Just like many mftrs, when one employee got sick, so did others and workforce quarantine went into effect. All capital spending projects were put on hold for 2020 and many mills went to 50% of production capacity.

Looking forward 2021, most plants still have capital projects on hold, many of the major engineering firms have almost closed shop with no work, most mills have not recovered to pre-covid production level.

With the current shut down culture from Govt, and no employer protection from liability, don't expect the current situation to change anytime soon. Restarting production lines is no simple task. Without the engineering firm support resource, the problem is compounded.
 
I have been keeping an eye on prices, they have dropped about 20% in Wisconsin since late summer, but unless the manufactures get their butts back to work, come spring, supply will be depleted right away, and prices will sky rocket again, maybe even more then last summer. I am also trying to do some building, I need a deck, a lean-to, and I need to do some framing on some interior stuff yet.
 
Prices are still sky high in SE Ohio. Stud 2X4s are in the $5 range at big box stores and more like $7 in our local lumber store. Plywood of any sort is in the $35-$50 a sheet if you can find it. I sincerely hope prices drop substantially in the near future.

VV
 
If the vaccine works, I would estimate production moving back towards pre-covid 3rd quarter this year. Remember, with a lot of production shut down, mills are not buying as much pulp or board lumber stock so supply lines need a reason to start back up. Usually takes about 90 days to start-up idled production lines.

^^^ 4W is correct, spring building season is going to really hurt inventory availability. This will slow down new building based on increased materials costs. In the industrial world, this is a great situation for manufacturers and distribution as they making more money on lower production and marginal price cut competitors are leaving the game.
 
For me, my deck, and stairway need to be completed for the final inspection, for me to move in this summer. The leanto will wait, but dammit, I am sick of all the crap in my shop already.
 
I've decided to put all my building off til next year and prioritize other projects. It's a real bummer, but I just hate overpaying for things.
 
How do these prices impact selling timber? Is now a good time to look into it??
 
How do these prices impact selling timber? Is now a good time to look into it??
Interesting question. I would like to know this as well. I have also been debating on buying a portable sawmill.
 
How do these prices impact selling timber? Is now a good time to look into it??
I had a timber/heavy equipment guy give me an estimate on a pond this summer and I asked him about that. According to him, he wasn't seeing any increase in what he was getting for timber. He said all the money was going somewhere else down the line. This was just one guy though, so I don't know how accurate he was being.

VV
 
How do these prices impact selling timber? Is now a good time to look into it??

It may actually work in reverse. As mills and board plants came to abrupt reduction in production output, logged timber supply may have continued to stack up for some time so there may be excess supply waiting. Only way to know is to get a quote.
 
It may actually work in reverse. As mills and board plants came to abrupt reduction in production output, logged timber supply may have continued to stack up for some time so there may be excess supply waiting. Only way to know is to get a quote.


This is basically what I was told. They said because the manufacturing side is down to a crawl, they arent buying much for logging, so there is a backlog of trees ready to go once they get opened up, but right now, the forester I talked to said they arent even giving bids, because their storage areas are full.

Supply and demand is messed up when the government gets involved.
 
How do these prices impact selling timber? Is now a good time to look into it??
In MS, stumpage prices are terribly low, according to our state extension office.
 
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