Lumber Prices Are Climbing Again — Here’s What’s Actually Happening
If you’ve priced out a framing package or deck build recently, you’ve probably noticed the numbers creeping up again. Framing lumber costs have climbed roughly 4.4% month-over-month and 3.1% year-over-year, and the biggest reason isn’t a mystery — it’s a tariff change on Canadian softwood lumber that’s set to push the total tariff rate to 35.9% starting in August. For anyone building in Spokane, Airway Heights, Colville, or Kettle Falls, that’s not just a headline number. It’s the difference between locking in a good price now and paying noticeably more for the exact same materials in a few months.
We’ve been supplying builders and homeowners across Eastern Washington since 1979, and we’ve seen plenty of price cycles come and go. This one is moving faster than most, which is exactly why we wanted to break down what’s driving it and what you can actually do about it before it hits your wallet.
Why Canadian Tariffs Are Hitting Local Projects So Hard
A large portion of the softwood lumber used for framing, decking, and general construction throughout the Pacific Northwest comes from Canadian mills. When tariffs on that lumber go up, the added cost doesn’t stay put — it moves down the supply chain from mill to distributor to retailer, and eventually to your project. The jump to a 35.9% total tariff rate is one of the steeper increases we’ve tracked in recent years, and suppliers are already adjusting their pricing ahead of the official August start date.
That’s an important detail: the increase hasn’t even officially taken effect yet, and prices are already moving. If you’re planning a garage build in Airway Heights, a deck replacement in Colville, or a remodel near Kettle Falls, that gives you a real window to plan around — but it’s a shrinking one.
Tighter Sawmill Capacity Means Less Cushion
Tariffs are only half the story. Sawmill capacity across North America has been shrinking due to mill closures, labor shortages, and reduced timber harvests in some regions. In past price cycles, strong domestic mill output helped absorb some of the shock from tariff increases. That buffer is thinner now, which means price swings are hitting harder and faster than they used to.
Put simply: there’s less supply available to soften the blow, so when a tariff increase like this one comes through, it shows up in pricing faster than it would have a few years ago. That’s the main reason this cycle feels different from previous lumber price jumps — it’s a quicker-moving market, and timing matters more than it used to.
What This Means for Your Next Project — Practically Speaking
Whether you’re framing new construction, replacing decking, or managing a multi-phase build somewhere between Spokane and Kettle Falls, here’s what these trends mean in real terms:
Framing lumber bought today will very likely cost less than the same order placed in September or October. Bulk and contractor orders locked in before August could avoid a meaningful jump tied to the new tariff rate. Budgets set earlier this year may need a second look if your project timeline runs into late summer or fall. And non-urgent purchases you’ve been putting off could end up costing noticeably more once the tariff takes full effect.
Actionable Steps You Can Take This Week
You don’t need to overhaul your whole project plan — just take a few smart steps now while pricing is still favorable:
Get a materials estimate today, even if your start date is still a few weeks away. Ask our team about locking in current pricing on framing lumber and bulk contractor orders ahead of the August increase. If your project spans several months, talk to us about phased purchasing so you’re not caught buying everything at peak pricing. And if budget is tight, ask about material alternatives — sometimes a small adjustment in species or grade can offset rising costs without sacrificing the quality of your build.
Why Working With a Local Supplier Makes a Real Difference Right Now
This is exactly the kind of situation where local guidance earns its keep. Big-box retail pricing tends to be standardized and self-service — there’s rarely someone available to walk you through how a tariff change affects your specific timeline or help you build a purchasing strategy around it. Our team at Builders Supply & Home Center has been part of this region’s building community since 1979, and we’d rather spend ten minutes explaining what’s actually happening in the market than just hand you a price sheet.
We’re tracking these changes closely across all three of our Eastern Washington locations, and we’re actively helping customers in Spokane, Airway Heights, Colville, and Kettle Falls decide what to buy now, what can wait, and how to structure contractor orders to soften the impact of the August tariff increase.
Lock In Your Pricing Before August
The trend is clear: prices are heading up, and the smart move is to plan ahead rather than react later. Right now, Builders Supply & Home Center is offering a pre-tariff pricing opportunity on framing lumber and bulk contractor orders through the end of July, giving you a chance to lock in today’s rates before the increase hits.
Stop by one of our three Eastern Washington locations in Spokane, Airway Heights, Colville, or Kettle Falls to talk with our team about your upcoming project, or shop online anytime at bldrsupply.epicor-inet.com. We’ve been helping this region build since 1979 — let’s help you plan smart before prices climb any further.