Why the cost increase?


I went to buy materials for a speaker project. I also priced some T-111 siding on 8" centers, 5/8 thick, Ship lap.
I hadn’t picked up any sheets or anything in over 18 months.

48" x 96 x 5/8 wood siding was 19-26.00 and on sale 15-20.00 per sheet, NOW 74-84.00 per sheet.

MDF 3/4" 48 x 96" if you can find it. 45-55.00 per sheet it was 22.00 to 27.00 per sheet.

2x4x8 DF stud grade 1.99-3.00 per. Now 4-6.00 per stud,

There is no shortage but there sure is a LOT of price gouging. NOTHING changed. Just the price..

The quality is worse. The workers aren’t paid worth a crap...Why the increase?

I’m getting ready to finish my home out. WOW.. I might have to rethink this a bit..

The price all most tripled in 12-18 months.. This kind of stuff is NOT cool at ALL.

Just my opinion of course. Any projects you’re doing get put on hold or STOPED?

YES I’m very frugal. Money never came easy, and it leaves the same way..

oldhvymec

Showing 1 response by unreceivedogma

My wife and I are owners of dwellstead.com

a mom and pop shop recently set up to acquire vintage homes with character or historic value, or just plain old homes, that need restoration done in a way that drives down their heating and cooling needs by up to 90%, and to set ie as a consulting service to help others do the same.

Because of COVID19, many lumber mills shut down for months to over a year. Once health restrictions on construction sites was lifted, there was a surge in demand that supply could not meet. Prices went up by as much as 400% even as quality plummeted. 

Lumber mills are coming back online, prices are dropping but are still about 225% above Pre-COVID19 levels. 

No need to talk about quantitative easing or neoliberalism etc on this one. Plain old supply and demand specific to a particular sector, lumber and anything made from wood, … especially fencing. A fence panel that once went for $25 is still up at $85.