When small retailers need to obtain wood for resale, they generally have two main sources: local lumber suppliers or big box stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s. Although the big shops do sell some of the most popular varieties of wood at reasonable prices, there are several compelling reasons that sourcing wood from a local lumber yard is a smarter choice for small retailers.
Why Buy From Local Wholesale Lumber Suppliers?
Outlined below are some of the top reasons that small retailers should purchase lumber for resale from local wholesale suppliers.
They Arguably Have a Better Selection
Big box stores need to keep a large variety of products in stock, from plumbing and electrical items to gardening and home décor. This means they have limited space for storing and displaying lumber. This may be acceptable if you only need small amounts of the most popular types of wood, but small retailers may attract more clients by taking advantage of the wide variety of wood species and types offered by wholesalers.
They Are Well-Versed On All Wood Products
Local wholesale suppliers have the upper hand because their entire focus is lumber. Employees at big box stores must be familiar with a broad range of products, but lumber yard workers can focus solely on wood. This gives them the in-depth knowledge needed to answer questions about the wood they sell and offer advice on the right products for particular jobs. The staff at large wholesale suppliers will have the experience and knowledge base needed to help retailers choose the types of wood that are most likely to sell.
They Offer Treated Lumber Products
Big box stores often focus on stocking basic wood varieties that appeal to the greatest number of consumers possible. However, wholesale lumber suppliers can obtain the types of specialty treated wood that are becoming increasingly popular among customers. For example, they can sell you fire-retardant lumber and plywood that gives projects a high degree of fire protection for greater safety and building code compliance. They can also sell you high volumes of wood that has been treated to protect against termites, fungal decay or corrosion as well as wood that has been kiln-dried after treatment. Products like copper azole treated lumber and Exterior Fire-X can be very difficult to find at big box outlets.
Their Prices Are Lower
Many people believe that big box stores offer the lowest prices, but that is not always true when it comes to lumber. In many cases, your local lumber supplier will be the less expensive option. Their connections within the lumber industry allow them to obtain high-quality wood at reasonable prices. They offer wood across all price ranges, so you will find some very expensive premium wood in their inventory. However, when it comes to the type of lumber you might also find in a big box store, their prices are usually very competitive.
They Store Their Wood Properly
Local lumber distributors have the space and knowledge required to take good care of their wood. It is not unusual for the wood in big box stores to be mishandled by shoppers sorting through the stacks to find the pieces they need, but the wood at lumber yards tends to be handled by fewer people before you buy it for resale. In addition, lumber suppliers are well-versed in the optimal conditions for storing wood and set up their warehouses accordingly, ensuring every product maintains its high quality and structural integrity.
The Quality of Wood Is Often Better
Big box stores often focus on catering to the masses and maximizing their bottom line, which sometimes means sacrificing quality in the name of greater profits. Lumber yards, on the other hand, must sell premium-quality wood to retain customers and maintain their reputation, which means they put a lot of effort into ensuring their offerings are visually appealing and will stand the test of time. As a result, small retailers who buy from wholesalers can be confident they will be selling their own customers high-quality wood.
They Are More Environmentally Friendly
Local lumber suppliers are some of the most environmentally-friendly businesses you can find since their products are organic and fully recyclable. Many lumber suppliers have very little waste because they can recycle everything, including sawdust and wood pulp.
Reach Out To Northern Virginia Wholesale Lumber Suppliers
If you would like to find out more about obtaining high-quality lumber for resale, reach out to Curtis Lumber & Plywood. They have been serving the Northern Virginia area as a wholesale lumber supplier since 1957 and specialize in high-quality treated wood products. Their friendly staff is known for their technical knowledge and excellent customer service, and they’re always willing to answer your questions and help you obtain specialty products at competitive prices for resale.
