Choosing the right lumber yard

When looking for a place to buy your lumber and fasteners, it is important to find the right product for the right price. The price of redwood fluctuates constantly and varies by region as well. Here are some factors to take into consideration before making your purchase:

Redwood garden box under construction at a nearby farm

Price: Lumber yards set their own prices, and you can save a lot of money by first calling around and asking for a price per foot for whatever material you want to purchase. I usually use standard 2x6 con-heart redwood which is common and typically used for decking. The price per foot is about $1.60 here in Santa Cruz but that will vary depending on your location. It is probably higher elsewhere as we have a lot of redwood available locally.

Quality: Be sure that the yard has quality lumber. Check to see if it is straight by sighting down each piece with your eye while you are at the yard. You don't want to see very much bowing or crowning in the material. If placing an order for delivery, tell them you want only the best possible lumber that they have. Many yards will try to pawn off all of their sub-par materials on homeowners who are unlikely to return lumber after delivery. Don't let them get away with it.

Delivery?: Ask each yard you call if you can have your building materials delivered to your address. This can be a big time saver, and time is money, at least for most of us. See if the yard will offer you a deal on a delivery. I like to pick up my materials in person, however.

Sustainability: Some retailers only sell products that are harvested in a sustainable manner. Proper stewardship of our forests is extremely important to ensure that they are preserved for future generations to utilize and enjoy. One such retailer here in Santa Cruz is Big Creek Lumber. This company is committed to environmental stewardship, the best redwood around, competitive pricing, and great customer service.

Ease of access: I really try to avoid shopping at places like Home Depot and Lowe's. Not only do they often have substandard material and awful customer service, but the indoor lumber yards prevent easy loading of your materials. It is much nicer to be able to drive into the lumber yard and get what you need without dealing with the awkward carts provided by these stores. If you must shop at these places, call ahead and get them to set you up with someone to help you load your lumber. Try not to get lost in the aisles.