3 Ways to Combat Rising Lumber Prices

In this episode of NS Builders Podcast, I’m going to share three ways to combat rising lumber prices. Everyone in the building trades—and all across the country—are dealing with skyrocketing costs of lumber and materials in general. Here are three practical things we’ve done at NS Builders that help us keep our projects on schedule and on budget. 

1—ADVANCE FRAMING TECHNIQUES

We had started a new project and we were looking at it as a very traditionally framed home. However, due to the rising costs of lumber, we hit the brakes. We went back to the engineer and posed the question of exploring advanced framing techniques. Together we began exploring these methods of construction during our preconstruction phase. Advanced framing techniques can mean different things to different builders, but essentially the goal is to reduce the amount of lumber that we are using on a building. 

Of course, this means asking questions. Looking for opportunities where innovative framing techniques can be utilized, collaborating with the engineer or architect, and opening our minds to new ways of doing things. For example, one thing we’re employing is going from a traditionally framed wall 16 inches on center (meaning every 16 inches you have a wall stud) and bumping it up to 24 inches. Additional insulation means greater R-value, and we’re using less lumber which translates into less costs. 

2—PREFABRICATION & PANELIZATION

I recently got a tour of the factory at Cape Cod Panel. I have to give a shout-out to Mike Riley and his team—they are doing an amazing job at optimizing material usage on a project. For example, he pointed over to a 55-gallon bucket and told me that was the amount of scrap from building one house! Seriously! They are reducing the amount of scrap immensely. Forget the multiple dumpsters; he’s got one big bucket! One way they do this is by using a computer-controlled wood saw that automatically optimizes and cuts all the required lumber in the most efficient way. Less lumber is used, less waste is created, and the costs are lessened. It’s a win-win!

Panelization is an awesome opportunity—you get to work in a shop environment, have greater control over the quality, use less material, and don’t have to deal with bad weather. Try working with a panel contractor to explore the benefits of panelized construction and see how it can reduce your overall lumber costs. 

3—USE DIFFERENT MATERIALS

Open your mind up to exploring other materials that could be used in place of lumber. There are multiple layers of building; start with one aspect and go from there. Maybe it’s framing—look for an alternative to timber. Or, when it comes to the inside, try to reduce the amount of interior wood trim or switch to plaster moldings. Alternatives to lumber may not be cheaper—they may even cost more—but it’s certainly worth investigating. Ask others in the trades what materials they have substituted for wood and how it worked out.  

So if you’re concerned about the rising cost of lumber, try the above tips. The goal should be to find innovative ways to use less lumber, optimize the use of materials, and consider alternatives that will get the job done just as well.  

It’s time to discover what NS Builders can intentionally craft for you! Contact us today to get started on your custom dream home. Together, we can make it happen. 

—Nick Schiffer