Where is the best place to buy lumber?

[Marvel2017]

2x4, 2x6 mainly. For framing. Big box stores HD Lowes or can deals be found other places if I'm buying enough material? Thanks!

[Papa bear]

I had a horrible load of 2x4's from a carter lumber affiliate here.  Go to lowes/HD and pull your own so you can check it yourself.


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[Rural]

If you're south of Nashville, check out the Marvin's building supply in Lewisburg. Marvin's is a small chain, usually slightly cheaper than the other big boxes, free delivery. If you're going to be doing a really big project like a house they may set you up a commercial cash account. They discount 5% for those.


Quality is likely to be slightly lower than what you would get at Lowe's. Something to keep in mind, but if you're framing walls, there's only a certain quality you need.

[stein79]

Go to an independent lumberyard.  May be a little more expensive but generally better quality than a box store. 

[jba302]

Just for framing a small area, there's nothing wrong with HD. I get 2x4's from there all the time for small projects where the wood isn't going to be seen. Definitely pull your own, my god if you want to see twisted boards HD is your place.

Lumber yards do get you a better price per foot in general, but some of them don't supply cheap lumber like southern yellow pine so you end up with higher quality / more expensive wood. If you are just framing an interior wall that will be drywalled then who gives a shit as long as it's straight.

[Mississippi Mudstache]

It really depends on your local market. I would check with multiple lumberyards, including big box stores, if you're buying a lot of lumber. I usually found that the box stores were hard to beat on 2x4 studs, but when I needed a bunch of pressure-treated 2x8s, I got a better deal at a local lumberyard. Actually, I ended up buying 2x10s, because they were cheaper than the 2x8s! It was a fluke of price differences when the lumberyard had purchased each batch of wood - they just applied a standard markup to their cost.

[savman]

Lumberyard. While it't true big box places may be competitive on say 2 x 4 studs, they will be higher the majority of the time.  And while the BB places can be reasonableish on lumber, they are ludicrous on things like trim and electrical supplies (except wire when its on sale; that's a deal.) Moreover, lumberyards will usually deliver for free, or a nominal fee like 10 dollars.  Go hand load up 3 or 4k worth of lumber at HD and get back to me. What's better is lumber yards will take back - provided it's not damaged - what you don't use when they deliver materials for the next phase of the project.

Make a list of say all the lumber you think you will need for framing. So many 2 x 4 x 8, so many 2 x 8 x 12, so many lbs of nails, etc.  Then call 3 or 4 real lumber yards and get a price. Let them know you are starting a new project and need a price. When they ask about an account tell them you will be paying when you order with a cc.  In Atlanta ProBuild is pretty darn competitive and I bet you have one in Nashville. 

One last thing. Don't be afraid to show some humility. I am not a full time GC and when I place a framing order I will ask the salesman anything I am not sure about; e.g. how many pounds of nails he thinks I need based on what I ordered, and if he thinks I am leaving anything off. 

[Greg]

Check with a local lumberyard.  Depending on the size of your project, they may give you contractor pricing and often delivery is "free" vs. the added fee at H.D. 

Usually the quality of lumber from a lumberyard is far superior to H.D. 

[Marvel2017]

Thanks, I'll check local lumberyard. There is a ProBuild about 60 miles away, but says it's a Gypsum location. I'll get my order together and shop it around, thanks for the tips!