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Framing Lumber Prices Are Climbing Across Eastern Washington — Here’s What’s Driving It
If you’ve priced out a framing package in the last few weeks, you’ve probably noticed the number is higher than the last time you checked. That’s not your imagination, and it’s not just a Spokane problem — it’s happening across the whole region, from Airway Heights to Colville to Kettle Falls. A handful of Pacific Northwest and Canadian mills have announced production curtailments after a slower demand stretch earlier this year, and that’s now tightening up supply of standard SPF dimensional lumber right as builders shift from fall projects into winter planning.
On top of that, freight costs to move lumber from the mills into distribution yards here in Eastern Washington have crept upward too. Put those two things together — tighter mill output and pricier freight — and you get what we’re seeing right now: 2×4 and 2×6 SPF framing lumber trending up, with most industry watchers expecting that to continue over the next several weeks rather than correct itself quickly.
Here’s the general shape of it, based on what we’re tracking at our Spokane-area and regional locations:
2x4x8 SPF is trending up in the mid-to-high single digits, percentage-wise, over the past month. 2x6x8 SPF is seeing similar pressure, often a bit steeper, since mill allocations on wider dimensional stock are getting squeezed harder. Bulk and pallet framing packages remain the best way to soften the per-unit hit if you’re buying for a full build rather than piecing it together board by board.
One thing worth saying plainly: pricing on lumber changes daily depending on mill allocations and freight schedules, so don’t plan a bid around numbers from a few weeks ago. Call ahead or stop into our Airway Heights, Colville, or Kettle Falls location for a current quote before you lock anything into a proposal.
Should You Buy Now or Wait? A Straight Answer for Eastern Washington Builders
We’ve fielded this question from contractors and homeowners alike all month, so let’s make it simple.
Buy now if you’ve got a framing project scheduled in the next 30 to 60 days, you need 10 or more units or a full package, or you’ve already submitted a bid that assumed current material costs. If you’re a contractor juggling multiple winter jobs, locking in pricing now is one of the easiest ways to protect your margin on work you’ve already quoted.
Wait if your project is genuinely 90-plus days out and your schedule has real flexibility — though keep in mind mill curtailments tend to stick around longer than people expect, so “waiting it out” isn’t a guaranteed win. If you’re only grabbing a small quantity for a repair job, the urgency is lower, but it still pays to check current pricing before costs climb further.
For most builders working in Spokane, Airway Heights, Colville, and Kettle Falls, the math leans toward locking in now, especially if you’ve got a framing package penciled in for a fall or early winter build.
Sheet Goods Are Headed the Opposite Direction
Here’s the interesting wrinkle: while framing lumber is climbing, OSB and plywood are actually trending about 12% lower right now. It’s an unusual split, but it’s good news if your project calls for sheathing, subfloor, or remodel-grade panels. If your build needs both framing lumber and sheet goods, time your orders strategically — lock in your framing price now, and take advantage of the dip on OSB and plywood while it lasts. Waiting on sheet goods costs you nothing right now; waiting on framing lumber likely will.
Our Framing Lock-In Special
Because we know rising prices put real pressure on bids and budgets, we’re running a Framing Lock-In Special this month: we’ll guarantee this week’s framing lumber pricing for 30 days on orders of 10 or more units, or on full framing packages. That means you can submit a bid or plan a project today without worrying about costs shifting against you before materials actually show up on-site.
Contractors within 25 miles of any of our three locations can also bundle a free delivery estimate with a locked-in framing quote — one more way we try to make life a little easier for builders working across Spokane County and up into Stevens County.
Why Local Buyers Have an Edge Right Now
We’ve been family-owned and serving Eastern Washington since 1979, and part of that job has always been tracking mill and freight trends daily so our customers don’t have to guess. We offer flexible, relationship-based bulk pricing and fast turnaround on framing packages, and our Airway Heights, Colville, and Kettle Falls locations all keep framing lumber in stock with 1-3 day availability on most restocks — so you’re not stuck waiting on a job site while a truck makes its way across the state.
If you’ve got a project on the books, now’s the time to act. Stop by our Airway Heights, Colville, or Kettle Falls location to talk through a framing package quote, call ahead so we can have your order ready, or browse and shop anytime at bldrsupply.epicor-inet.com. Lock in your price, protect your budget, and keep your project moving with a local supplier that’s been doing this across Eastern Washington since 1979.
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