Lumber is an abundant resource, and there is no shortage of suppliers offering various types of wood. As a result, the buying process can be very straightforward. However, to get the most out of your wholesale lumber, here are seven tips you should keep in mind when shopping.
Pay attention to quality
Your reputation will be staked on the type of lumber that you sell as a retailer, so it is essential that you pay attention to quality. Find out where your supplier is harvesting its lumber and how it is processed, and consider carrying out some independent research to ensure the quality is up to your standards.
It is also a good idea to visit your lumberyard and see how they are storing the wood you are considering buying. You’ll want to purchase wholesale lumber that is well cared-for, so you should always ask to inspect the wood personally before buying it, if possible.
Carry Out Some Research On Price
No matter what type of wholesale lumber you are buying, whether it is the most basic lumber or a high-end, hard-to-find variety, understanding market price trends will ensure you are getting the best deal possible. It pays to shop around and compare prices across several wholesalers.
However, lumber price should not be the only consideration. How quickly you can get the material, the history of reliability for timely material delivery and overall ease of doing business with a wholesaler are all relevant in purchasing decisions. If you are getting pricing for quoting purposes, ask how long the quoted price is good for. Lumber prices do fluctuate and often cannot be held for more than a few days.
Any time you are buying lumber, it is a good idea to ask if the current price represents the typical price.
Find Out About Availability
When purchasing lumber from a wholesaler, let them know the volumes you typically need so they can determine whether they can meet your demand on a consistent basis. They may also be able to advise you about any time of year that the lumber you need may be more difficult to obtain so you can plan accordingly and stock up beforehand.
Get Opinions From Your Wholesaler
You may already be quite knowledgeable about lumber, but it is worthwhile to get an opinion from the team at your wholesale supplier. They are well-versed on the details of the various types of lumber they offer, and they will be happy to trade ideas with you. They may be able to steer you toward products you might not have previously considered, and they might also be able to offer advice on working with and storing specific types of lumber.
Ask About The Delivery Terms
When purchasing wholesale lumber, buying good-quality lumber at the right price is only part of the equation. You will also need to ensure that you can have it delivered to your area in a timely manner. If you live outside of the standard delivery area of your wholesale lumber supplier, you may have to pay an additional fee. You should also find out what days and times delivery is offered to ensure that they fit within your schedule.
Buy From A Supplier That is Committed to Customer Service
It is important to seek a supplier that offers good customer service. Purchasing wholesale lumber is unlikely to be a one-time transaction, and building a relationship with a supplier can be very beneficial to your business in the long run.
Visit the supplier to gauge how friendly they are to you and the other customers who are there during your visit. Pay attention to how long it takes them to reply to emails and phone calls, and look out for other signs of good customer service. Do their representatives answer your questions adequately? Do they seem friendly and patient? Are they knowledgeable about the lumber they offer?
Buy Extra
Wood is a natural resource, which means it doesn’t have the same consistency of quality that you might find with factory-produced products. Over time, as wood cures and adjusts to changes in temperature and humidity, it can warp, twist or split. Therefore, it is a good idea to buy slightly more lumber than you think you will need to make up for any pieces that become partially or completely unusable.
Reach Out To The Wholesale Lumber Suppliers
If you are seeking a reliable source of high-quality lumber, get in touch with the knowledgeable team at Curtis Lumber & Plywood. This Northern Virginia wholesale lumber supplier has been in business since 1957, supplying the Mid-Atlantic region with a range of popular and specialty products, technical knowledge and unparalleled customer support.
