Lumber going up in East TD
Larry Hibbard and Ben McGregor prepare to attach a facia board on this two story single family home in the Lone Pine neighborhood just west of The Dalles Dam this morning, April 21. The framers both work for CMH Construction of The Dalles owned by Clint Hill.
CMH Construction owner Cliff Hill said on Wednesday that a brisk construction market was keeping him and his crew busy, but he wondered if the surge in demand was sustainable. He noted that exterior wall sheeting had ballooned to $100 for a 4’ x 8’ sheet and plywood roof sheeting was up to $80 each. The same board was about $10 a year ago, he said.
“I lived through 2008,” he said. “I feel like we might be headed there again.” At some point, prices for construction materials will hit a point where people stop building, he said.
Fred Ashley of Ashley Pump and Irrigation
“Although the price of lumber, cement and other construction materials fluctuate constantly, the volatility has worsened over the past year as the coronavirus pandemic led to factory closures, a shortage of truckers and other issues that have made the normally smooth supply chain unpredictable. That’s meant shortages in items like windows and faucets, translating to higher costs and delayed construction projects,” according to a story by By ALEX VEIGA an Associated Press Business Writer.
Lumber Futures during the past year have the price fluctuations from $650 for 1,000 board feet to more than $1,300 on Monday, April 19, according to the NASDAQ.
And it’s not just construction. Fred Ashley of Ashley Pump and Irrigation, noted last week that he had to hire another employee as a good portion of his time is now spent sourcing supplies and parts because of supply-chain slowdown.
From left, Larry Hibbard, Clint Hill and Ben McGregor work under an azure blue sky on Wednesday morning on Southshore Avenue in the Lone Pine neighborhood. Enjoy it while it’s gorgeous. Colder temps are expected to hit Earth Day, April 22 and rain is expected on Saturday and Sunday.
