Before buying hardwood lumber from your supplier there are a few things manufacturers should know such as how the lumber is sorted, what region it’s from, how it’s tallied, and if there are any services offered by the supplier that may be valuable in terms of saving time/money when it comes to production.

Why does it matter how the lumber is sorted? Suppliers will usually sort lumber into specific lengths, colors, widths and more for customers if you ask, otherwise it will probably be delivered in random lengths and widths.

There are three main growing regions in the eastern U.S. including the southern, northern and Appalachian regions. While the quality may be equal regardless of the region it originates, characteristics of the lumber may vary. For example, trees grown in the northern region generally have tight grains, while those in the southern region often have wider grain patterns and lighter color tones.

Is the price quoted based on gross or net tally? This makes a difference because kiln drying shrinks the size of green lumber. You want an accurate measure of board footage, so be sure to ask how the lumber is being quoted.

If the supplier offers special services, it could save you time and money. While special services usually add to the cost, it’s often still well worth it to have lumber ripped to the width you need or other services performed that will save you valuable time in production.

All the way around, it’s a good idea to ask questions when purchasing hardwood lumber from suppliers so that you know you’re getting what you need, and how much it will cost.

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