PSA: I just read that a single sheet of 3/4-inch walnut plywood jumped over $80 in the last year at my local yard.

I was going over old invoices from my supplier in Tacoma to price a job, and the difference from April last year to now is crazy. It made me completely rethink the material budget for a built-in I'm quoting. How are you guys adjusting your estimates for this kind of spike?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindaw296d ago

I used to bundle costs, but @jones.grace is right, showing the lumber line item separately saves so many headaches now.

jones.grace7d ago

Yeah, that "rethink the material budget" part hits hard. I had to do the same thing last fall. Now I build in a 20% price buffer on all lumber estimates, no matter what the supplier's current quote is. I also started listing material costs as a separate line item on my proposals, so clients see the direct impact. It's the only way to keep the job profitable without shocking anyone later.

seanc626d ago

But that buffer just hides the real cost. Clients aren't dumb. They'll see a 20% markup on lumber somewhere else and wonder why your bid was so high. Listing materials separately just invites them to shop it around and nickel and dime you. Better to bake a fair profit into the total price and stand by your number. Transparency can backfire.