COVID-19 sure has made life strange and difficult for all of us. Patterns of living have upended, and new norms have emerged that will probably stay with us. One pattern that became very clear was that many people have decided to make their homes more livable, especially when it comes to outdoor spaces. Fortunately for me, this includes home saunas, which have seen a enormous spike in demand, which I am trying to keep up with. But, there has also been a huge increase in demand for materials associated with these types of projects, causing me delays and headaches. Like the toilet paper that disappeared early in the pandemic, framing lumber, cedar, and pressure-treated decking have all but vanished in some stores. Not only are people buying more for their home improvement projects, but the triple whammy of last years wild fires, COVID taking out some of the workforce, and tariffs on Canadian lumber has caused major shortfalls and substantial price increases in building supplies. Yesterday, I bought a single sheet of OSB—oriented strand board—the most ubiquitous of building materials, and the sheathing on virtually every house. It cost me over $27. Twenty dollars more than what I paid eighteen months ago. Everything else, from 2x4s to steel plates have doubled.
The contracting business depends on giving a solid price well ahead of time so the buyer can plan and budget. I’m working on projects I bid six months ago at prices I thought I could expect to pay when I got to the checkout. How can I give quotes when the prices are going up like that? Often, I have to eat those unexpected cost increases. Maybe the prices will fall, but like wearing masks in grocery stores, I think we have hit a new norm.
I can’t absorb all this pricing mayhem, so I have to pass some of it on to my customers. If you are doing a DIY project and using someone else’s book written years ago, be sure to check prices; the big box stores do a pretty good job of posting it all online. And when you ask me how much something costs, remember that cost, like time, is a fleeting thing.
The most important thing to remember is: how much is a sauna worth to you? It is measured not in dollars but in real value added to the quality of your life. In other words, priceless.
With over 30 years of experience working in the building trade, Rob readily dispenses his knowledge to clients, a clear, professional communication style. If you need in-depth information on how to build your own sauna or need drawings/plans, whether you are a builder, DIY builder, or architectural firm, I offer plans and consults. BOOK A CONSULT HERE >
