Quote:
Originally Posted by newtodieseling
What country are you living in?? 15 year low?? Not plywood!! Not 2x6s!! Not lumber period! Just checked Illinois lumber prices.
1992 - Whiteoak was $247 p/ M BD FT
2007 - Whiteoak was $610 p/M BD FT
|
Since you asked, The United States of America. You are partially correct about the cost of plywood and white oak. If you look today, the cost of white and yellow pine and OSB, when figured with the cost of inflation, is a little lower than 10-15 years ago. With the housing market slowing down, there is a lower demand on building materials thus expense. When you figure in interest rates are going down, building a new home is as affordable as it is going to be for sometime. While I do not know where you currently reside, around central Illinois we do not build houses solely out of white oak and plywood. Most sheathing requirements are done using OSB and most framing requirements are done with white and yellow pine. Did you price lumber in Illinois from a retailer, wholesaler or other? Did you price lumber around Chicago or down around central Illinois where I purchase it from local mills that harvest from local land owners?
Now having said all that, a little lesson that a lot of people don't consider when building. Just like buying a car, shop around. Ask your local lumber yards what type of kickback they give contractors. Contractors mark up materials just like a mechanic would on parts and some are also geting kickback from the local yards. Don't be afraid to ask them to ad match or beat the price from the big home improvement places. If you are not a do it yourselfer and feel you need to hire a contractor, get a bid for labor only and you supply the materials. Don't fall for the hourly rate gag either. If you are dealing with a reputable contractor, they should be able to tell you about how long and how much labor is required. Take a copy of your plans to a few different lumber yards and have them figure you a materials list. This will give you a good estimate on material expenses. Do the same with electricians, plumbers and any other required sub contractors. While you are juggling bids, shop for contruction loans and mortgages. Banking seems to have become a cut throat business, take advantage of it. Most of what I just described can be done with a telephone, you will be surprised at how much you can save.
And to you, newtodieseling, the next time you feel compelled to constructively criticize someones post, perhaps you should ask them how they reached their conclusion. Perhaps they do business the old fashioned, face to face, not just looking up information the internet. While the internet is a viable asset, not all information is available, such as negotiation or people skills.
