Well we are planning a new construction for a semi custom home here in cypress texas and wondering where to get lumber at a good price. The big box stores so far have been the cheapest for 2x6 lumber and osb. Anyone have any other leads?

Here in SC, the independent yards are very close to the big box stores for lumber, but a bit cheaper for sheet goods. I found the lumber at the independent yards to be better quality, though. The lumber available around here is so poor that I didn't use much of it. The house is ICF, floor joists are I-joists, and interior framing is steel. Steel studs were actually a bit cheaper than wood, and they start straight and stay straight. That's for non-structural use, though. The other thing about using lumber is to keep it strapped together until you use it. Once it's nailed in place, it usually stays put.

I've called a few independent's near here and got the response of they don't sell to the public. McCoy's around here is the highest priced. The 2 big box stores offer a nice discount when purchasing large quantities. In the stores looks like mostly yellow pine. Dunno if ordering from another state would be economical or green in any way.

I'd be surprised if a lumberyard didn't want to sell the lumber package for a home. Even to an owner builder. They will even put the package together for you from your house plans. Give it to a few and let them bid it. Make sure the package is broken up into several appropriately sized deliveries. There is no point in having your materials sitting around for months waiting for installation.

I never identify myself as a DIY or homeowner when shopping suppliers. If it sounds like I know what I'm talking about, they never ask. They usually ask if you want to open an account, and I just tell them it's a cash sale. I've even gone so far as to make up a company name when dealing with places that advertise as 'wholesale only'. I'm not sure why some companies do that.

A lot of retailers cater to the contractor crowd. As such, they often don’t want to deal with one offs, they want relationships and repeat business. Generally they don’t want cash sales, they want monthly invoices, paid promptly. On the other hand, if you walk in and ask for a material take off for a plan set, they may be willing to deal with you. I personally, have had much better luck with lumber from my local Yard then the big box store. Where ever possible, buy kiln dried lumber. Don’t forget to account for the annoyance factor. I.E. shingles are cheaper at the big box store, but the Lumberyard delivers with a boom truck and places all the shingles on the roof for me so I don‘t have to hump them up a Ladder- Priceless. Ahead of time, figure out when you are going to need what, and figure out how to stage it. Have the lumber takeoffs separated and then delivered in logical packages. IE first delivery after the foundation would be Steel laly columns and LVL main beams + all the floor joists and rim joists + the subfloor. If you are building it yourself, you are likely going slower so you want materials that are more moisture tolerant as they will be exposed longer. I am a big fan of advantec subfloor. Good Luck

"I've even gone so far as to make up a company name when dealing with places that advertise as 'wholesale only'. I'm not sure why some companies do that."

As Eric said, these places aren't looking to court the one time builder, they wish to get the repeat builders and do not wish to risk the ire of builders. Professional builders are also often less trouble with returns or warranty concerns and therefore are more profitable to work with.
One company near me that caters to contractors and the public said I recieved a lower price. So I presented a bid with the typical mark-up (as I have an obligatory warranty period with appliances I sell) and the client mentioned that they could get it cheaper (as the supplier gave them the same price they offered me). I do not do business with that supplier anymore.....

'wholesale only'. I'm not sure why some companies do that.

Because they are tired of dealing with the doddering old homeowner who comes in, shows them a badly corroded $0.69 item and wants them to find another one for him.

I get that. I had my own business for a period of years, and always had 'civilians' coming in wanting a very minor job done, and then being shocked at being asked to pay for the service. Since I did my own purchasing, I treat vendors with respect, and speak their language. Perhaps that's why I rarely have trouble buying from them.

I built a house several years back and got all my lumber from Stock Building Supply. It was 'very' competitive pricing.

jde....I've seen 1000's of houses built in this area but have 'never' seen one build with steel studs and you're saying they are actually 'cheaper' than wood? What difference do the framers charge if any?

Yeah, I suppose since we are still working with an architect, we haven't got a materials list. I was merely quoting prices per board to compare. I plan on building the home myself with a buddy and 2 hired helpers. I will probably try the lumber yards again after we get the list of material.

Thanks

I used steel studs for the interior walls- the house is ICF. I used 20 ga. studs, bought from a drywall supplier, and it came to about $100 less than the same thing in 2X4's. I did my own work, and yes, I would have charged more to install steel studs. Everything has to be screwed or riveted together, and all penetrations have to have plastic grommets to protect wires and PEX tubing. I had to add blocks in places to mount electric boxes, and I added some wood in areas that get wall-hung cabinets. I also doubled the door openings with wood. On the other hand, my walls came out fantastic, and it saved a lot of labor on the drywall. I think steel studs are mostly used in commercial applications.

I'm a toolmaker by trade, and obsess over things being straight, square, level, and plumb. It took me forever to shim my ceilings to get them right.

I would call steel framing easier than using lumber, for example the plastic grommets to protect wiring and PEX are a lot easier to install than drilling out a hole in every single wood stud that the wire or water supply would run through. With steel it's already punched out for you. And if you get electrical boxes made for steel framing they have a tab that allow them to be quickly screwed in place so there would be no need for blocking there. Door openings do need some extra beef but adding some lumber (or steel blocking) is not a big deal. Steel framing is lighter, much easier to build in place, and you can say goodbye to mold, termites, rot, and flame spread.

OMG, avoid the box stores!!! It will,cost you so much down the road. Speaking from experience

When I built my inner wall for my double stud wall I requested quotes at a number of places. Cost was higher and delivery was like $100. I ended up going with 2x3 instead of 2x4s from Lowe's. The 2x3 stuff looked so much better and came in select grade at a cheaper price than 2x4 in normal grade. Then 2x3 wood turned out to be very hard and hard
to work with. I wound up doing 2x4 construction on the last 14 foot wall in my shop. Overall I think I got a good deal because I also got a 10% veterans discount. However, I spent the day barrowing loading and unloading the truck. I missed a call out that would have been at least $100 I would have made. I later found out they delivery for $50 and if you get a corporate card for $20. They load and unload everything which is well worth the $50 or $20.

Now I am considering going back over before doing drywall and adding a third inner wall that will not be spray foamed but simple fiberglass butts as a sort of service cavity and so my wife will not worry about the 2x3 stud wall holding up drywall. I will definitely just go with Lowe's.

When I built my inner wall for my double stud wall I requested quotes at a number of places. Cost was higher and delivery was like $100. I ended up going with 2x3 instead of 2x4s from Lowe's. The 2x3 stuff looked so much better and came in select grade at a cheaper price than 2x4 in normal grade. Then 2x3 wood turned out to be very hard and hard
to work with. I wound up doing 2x4 construction on the last 14 foot wall in my shop. Overall I think I got a good deal because I also got a 10% veterans discount. However, I spent the day barrowing loading and unloading the truck. I missed a call out that would have been at least $100 I would have made. That is also not to mention the $20 of gas I put in the truck I borrowed or the time and gas spent running around getting the keys and the truck. I later found out they delivery for $50 and if you get a corporate card for $20. They load and unload everything which is well worth the $50 or $20.

Now I am considering going back over before doing drywall and adding a third inner wall that will not be spray foamed but simple fiberglass butts as a sort of service cavity and so my wife will not worry about the 2x3 stud wall holding up drywall. I will definitely just go with Lowe's.