[mgarblik]

Housing boom here in Ohio as well. Inventory at historic lows. Lumber prices up allot . Menards is the largest lumber yard in our area, although we have Home Depot and Lowes too. When I look at 2x4's, one out of 7 or 8 is straight enough to actually use in construction over an 8' length. Quality is marginal and cost is high.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Housing boom here in Ohio as well. Inventory at historic lows. Lumber prices up allot . Menards is the largest lumber yard in our area, although we have Home Depot and Lowes too. When I look at 2x4's, one out of 7 or 8 is straight enough to actually use in construction over an 8' length. Quality is marginal and cost is high.

Agree....hard to find decent 2x4 studs @ Lowes of HomeDepot that weren't culls. Big difference in price between 2x4 studs in yellow pine or fir (which few seem to have stocked) versus white wood 8 ft studs @ 6.35 a stud.

Bought several 2x4's & quite a bit of soffit board in Feb & early March, replacing some soffits for an elderly owner who is trying to get a house ready for sale. He's sat on it for too long, but with the market on fire, he ought to be able to come out decent with the house as a fixer/upper, needs serious updating inside.

In two weeks I have a select cedar fence to finish in town. Several years ago bought 85 1x6 x 6 ft 3/4" dog eared select cedar boards in the $1.80 a board range. Same boards would run me near $5 a piece today. Have several good used rough hewn cedar 4x4's that are 10 ft long & will get cut down into fence rails, then can blow $10 a pop on more 2x4x 8ft cedar rails.