Prices are at their lowest during the summer when wood supply is high and demand for it is low. Purchase your fuels when prices are low and you can save upwards of 50% on your winter heating. Wait until the winter rush and you'll end up overpaying.
As for the best time to buy lumber for home building, Sanderson said that generally, the summer months of May to August see the lowest lumber prices, with raw material “readily available” and much of the demand reduced because of the summer holidays.
One of the biggest benefits of buying firewood in the summer is the cost savings. With lower demand, suppliers often offer better prices. By purchasing your firewood ahead of time, you can save money compared to the higher prices typically seen in the autumn and winter.
Winter (December to February): This is the best time to buy lumber from a price and availability perspective. With construction slowing down, lumberyards tend to have excess stock, and prices are lower.
Seasonal Trends – Generally, lumber prices drop in winter when demand decreases, so late fall or early winter may be ideal for purchasing materials.
Lumber prices remain well below the pandemic peaks but are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels. As of late 2024, prices climbed to $610 per thousand board feet, reflecting a steady demand and ongoing supply constraints.
If you need six 12-inch boards, don't buy six 12-inch boards. Buy one 7- or 8-foot board and cut it down—it's probably cheaper per board foot. Wider wood is also usually cheaper per board foot, so if you need 3-inch wide boards, buy an 8-inch wide one and rip it down rather than paying extra for the narrower pieces.
Spring: Plan Ahead for Savings
While it might seem counterintuitive, spring can be an excellent time to purchase wood for your wood burner. Here's why: Lower demand often means better prices. Wood bought in spring has time to season further before winter.
If the boards don't feel dry – or any dampness – don't buy them. They are going to change substantially. Big knots throughout the board.
Season it yourself.
There are two reasons why seasoning wood yourself can save you money. Firstly, green (unseasoned) wood is usually cheaper than seasoned wood. Secondly, if you are seasoning it yourself, you can purchase your wood in spring or early summer, when demand is lower, so prices may also be lower.
Can Wood Be Too Old to Burn? Firewood that's properly stored should be good for use for about 3-4 years. After that, you'll want to invest in some new wood, as old wood will not burn well for you.
Softwoods and semi-hardwoods, such as poplar, spruce and pine, are good choices for fire pits or other well-ventilated, outdoor areas. Softwoods are usually more budget-friendly than hardwoods, but they don't last as long. However, they are easier to ignite.
As we head into 2025, we can expect lumber prices to stay relatively high, driven by a mix of strong housing demand, environmental disruptions, and supply chain challenges. While prices have stabilized compared to the wild swings of the past few years, they're still higher than what we were used to before the pandemic.
The Lumber price today is 586.00.
Are lumber prices expected to drop in 2024? Are lumber prices going down? Yes and no. Yes, lumber prices have gone down compared to 2021 and 2022 historic highs, but no, lumber prices are not expected to drop to pre-pandemic levels.
Buy in Bulk:
Purchasing logs in larger quantities can often result in significant cost savings. Consider going in with friends or neighbours to buy in bulk and split the cost.
Many manufacturers boast a lifespan of treated wood up to 40 years with proper care. That being said, regularly maintained untreated wood can last forever.
The UK's Energy Saving Trust says wood burning stoves give as near an experience of a traditional fire as possible, and they estimate they can cut a home's heating bill by a whopping 10%. Burning wood does not place a burden on the country's energy infrastructure, as you are not using energy in the same way.
Craigslist is a good place to put up a want ad or advertise a clean trade for some free lumber. Facebook Marketplace is another good place to look for lumber and request free lumber. It's also helpful to join local Facebook groups near you that specialize in free stuff or swaps.
It is often cheaper than finished lumber because it requires less work to prepare. Because all lumber is referred to by its dimensions before it is finished, a piece of rough-sawn wood may be referred to as “true”, such as a “true 6×6 post” or a “true 2×4”.
Rising interest rates temper the housing market fervor, prompting a decline in the cost of lumber. The price of framing lumber falls by 42%, only to be outpaced by plywood, which has dropped 55% since its peak in 2021. The cost of pine boards retracts by 10% following a 225% climb over the course of two years.
Lumber that is cut during the winter season usually has a lower moisture content and is therefore typically higher in quality. Even though the timber typically costs less. This is on account of the lumber price generally being lower due to decreased demand early in the year.