Flathead sees soaring lumber prices

Posted: Feb 23, 2013 9:07 PM by MTN News

KALISPELL - Lumber prices are on the rise nationwide, and it's affecting Flathead Valley lumber suppliers.

Kalispell ProBuild General Manager Brent Hall says he has never seen prices escalate this quickly before, and attributes part of that to the cost of diesel fuel and environmental concerns.

But, he says that price spikes, like this one, are part of this industry and news of increased lumber costs did not come as a surprise to him or his staff.

The higher costs for suppliers will mean higher costs for customers though-something Hall says is necessary to avoid downsizing.

"I think you have to keep your customers informed that the market is going up," he said. "We have a budget we have to stick with. It all works out in the end and our people can keep their jobs, because we need jobs here in Northwest Montana."

Hall says the demand for lumber on the East Coast--in the wake of Hurricane Sandy--is contributing to bigger cots, but believes these prices are only temporary.