If you want to build a new deck or patio to enjoy in your backyard, you may have to wait until nearly Thanksgiving.  Jeff Dorner, sales and project manager at Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders in Dyckesville, says that lumber prices are lower than earlier this year, but decking ordered this past week won’t be in until November.  He says besides orders for windows and doors being out for several weeks, getting power to nearly completed homes is causing delays.

Dorner adds that shortages at the mills were due to the pandemic, causing prices to soar with demand resulting in a decrease in inventory.  Lumber prices reportedly hit an all-time high of $1,670.50 per 1,000 board feet in May, before dropping to $5.33.10 per 1,000 board feet this past week.  Dorner notes that lumber prices are still about 20 percent higher than a year ago and may rise again after the recent natural disasters.  OSB and lumber prices typically increase after hurricanes and flooding damage, which has impacted many parts of the United States.