Generating ideas and compiling your materials is an important part of any outdoor building project. If the idea of trudging down to the big box home improvement store and being on your own to figure out which materials you’ll need sounds overwhelming, there’s a great solution that lots of contractors and serious DIYers know: your local lumberyard.
Here’s why your lumberyard gives you a secret advantage for your next outdoor construction project.
Their experience = your advantage
National chain stores sell basic lumber but they also sell everything else – including the kitchen sink! The specialists at your local lumberyard focus on outdoor building products like decking, fencing, and patio covers, and will have a team that tends to know more and is not distracted by unrelated departments. They are happy to share their knowledge and insight into how to make sure your project is successful. Don’t be afraid to talk to them. Show your inspiration photos, discuss your design ideas, and ask lots of questions. Lumberyards are usually less crowded than big box home improvement stores, so the staff there can provide more personalized attention.
Pricing advantages
Local lumberyards have direct relationships with suppliers and can sometimes offer better pricing on wood. The raw cost of wood is not static, so prices will fluctuate. Lumberyards may offer discounts based on wholesale prices or simply move aging stock. Even small discounts can add up when purchasing lumber in quantities required for outdoor building projects.
Wider in-stock selection
The local lumberyards tend to stock more options than the big chains. Because the primary focus of lumberyards is the lumber itself, they can offer more selection of different species, grades, and finishes of wood and manufactured products. You’ll be able to touch and compare samples of building material types in-store that may require you to wait for a special order elsewhere.
Composite materials and lumber alternatives
Lumberyards also feature a solid selection of composite products designed to withstand weather and usage stresses. Many local lumberyards sell composite decking and siding in lots of colors currently in stock. They also sell alternatives like aluminum patio cover kits, vinyl fencing, and metal fence posts, which can be great options for people who don’t want to invest too much time into maintenance.
Flexible delivery options
The team at your local lumberyard can help you load up directly from the rack or coordinate to have your order delivered to your home or job site. You won’t have to worry about hiring a truck or coordinating delivery with multiple vendors. The lumberyard team will make sure you’re taken care of.
It’s where the contractors go
There’s a reason most contractors work directly with local lumberyards: we speak their language. Professional contracts also come to the lumberyard to see new and upcoming products through demos and table-top displays.
You can follow in their footsteps by spending more time at the lumberyard and asking about new or existing product lines. Increasing your knowledge about lumber and associated hardware will improve your skills as a DIYer and build your confidence when working with contractors.
Local lumberyards provide tons of advantages when it comes to brainstorming and buying for your next outdoor build. For your next project, save time, stress, and money by heading straight to the specialists.
We have six locations servicing all of San Diego county and the Inland Empire. Visit your local J&W Lumber store today.