Lumber Prices Are Climbing Again — Here’s the Real Reason Why
If you’ve priced out a framing job, a deck, or even a simple fence line recently, you’ve probably noticed something: lumber costs in Spokane and across Eastern Washington are ticking up again. You’re not imagining it, and it’s not just the usual market noise. This time there’s a specific cause with a specific start date, and knowing about it now gives you a real chance to plan ahead instead of getting caught off guard later.
Starting in August, a new 35.9% total tariff rate on Canadian softwood lumber takes effect. That matters a lot around here, because so much of the SPF (spruce-pine-fir) framing lumber used throughout our region comes straight from Canadian mills. When that cost goes up north of the border, it doesn’t stay there — it flows directly into what you pay at the yard, whether you’re building in Spokane, Airway Heights, Colville, or Kettle Falls.
Why This Price Increase Is Different From the Usual Ups and Downs
Lumber pricing has bounced around plenty over the last few years, so it’s fair to wonder why this particular increase deserves your attention. A few things set it apart:
The tariff has a hard start date in August — not a vague “sometime this year” timeline. Mill supply is already tightening as producers and distributors adjust their own purchasing ahead of the change. Both SPF framing lumber and SYP (southern yellow pine) are affected, which touches nearly every summer building project we see across Eastern Washington, from garage additions in Airway Heights to deck builds in Kettle Falls. And once this new rate lands, industry expectations are that it sticks around rather than reversing in a few months.
In plain terms: this is a known cost increase with a known trigger date. That’s rare, and it means there’s an actual window right now to plan around it instead of just reacting once prices move.
What This Means If You’ve Got a Project on the Calendar
Whether you’re a contractor with a framing schedule stacked through fall, or a homeowner in Colville planning a deck before the weather turns, the takeaway is the same: the earlier you buy, the better your price. Once the tariff change hits in August, expect SPF framing lumber and SYP pricing to move upward across the board — including at the big national chains. The difference is that those stores tend to pass along national pricing changes with little warning and zero local context. We’d rather you hear it from us now, with time to actually do something about it.
This affects a wide range of people getting ready for summer and fall work: contractors with framing jobs scheduled for late summer or fall, homeowners in Colville and Kettle Falls planning deck or fence projects before winter, DIYers in Airway Heights tackling sheds, outbuildings, or remodel framing, and anyone buying lumber in bulk for multiple projects this year. If any of that sounds like you, locking in today’s pricing on framing lumber and SYP is the smart move.
How to Lock In Savings Before August — Starting Today
You don’t need to rework your entire project timeline to benefit from acting early. A few practical steps now can save you real money later:
Get your full material list priced out now. If you already know you’ll need framing lumber for a garage, addition, or outbuilding later this year, price it today instead of waiting until the project officially kicks off.
Buy in bulk if your project has multiple phases. Contractors stacking several jobs, or homeowners tackling a project in stages, can lock in today’s pricing across the board by purchasing framing lumber and SYP together before August.
Ask about our pre-buy option. We’re running a Beat the Tariff Lumber Lock-In Sale on bulk framing lumber and SYP purchased before August 1 — stop in and we’ll help you figure out exactly what to buy now.
Don’t forget decking and fencing materials. Summer is already peak building season across Eastern Washington, and tightening mill supply means popular sizes and grades may get harder to find as the deadline gets closer — not just more expensive.
Why It Pays to Buy From a Local Yard Right Now
National chains typically won’t walk you through any of this. Prices update when their systems tell them to, with no local context and often no advance notice. As a family-owned business that’s served Spokane, Airway Heights, Colville, and Kettle Falls since 1979, we track changes like this because they affect our neighbors and customers directly — not just a spreadsheet somewhere. We can walk you through current SPF and SYP pricing, help you plan a purchase that beats the August increase, and make sure you’re not stuck mid-project paying more for the same materials.
Lumber prices are moving again, and this time there’s a clear reason and a clear deadline. The builders and homeowners who act in the next few weeks will be the ones who avoid paying more for the same materials come fall.
Lock In Your Lumber Pricing Today
Don’t wait until August to find out how much more your framing lumber will cost. Stop by our Airway Heights, Colville, or Kettle Falls yard this week to price out your project and ask about our Beat the Tariff Lumber Lock-In Sale, or shop online anytime at bldrsupply.epicor-inet.com. Our team is ready to help you plan ahead and build smart this summer.