“Treated decking and fencing pricing varied from 20 per cent to
100 per cent until the end of September. While framing materials
had an increase that was closer to 100 per cent. But the largest
increase was 7/16-inch OSB. The pricing went from $11.99 to
$35.99 per sheet.”
Regardless of the monetary impact caused by the shortage, Orr
says they have prioritized keeping staff employed.
“We have to. We have a responsibility to that community,” Orr
said. “We have guys who have worked for us for 20 years or 30 years.
Our goal is to try and keep them employed, keep them going.”
As Marcin mentioned earlier, clients have put many projects on
hold, which affects Horizon Builders’ ability to provide work for its
employees. How it will affect what their work looks like under the
‘new normal’ is yet to be determined.
“I need to know what the new normal looks like. Are
HVAC requirements changing? What are the social distancing
requirements, the safety equipment required – are they the same as
they were before? You know, what do we have to do to separate staff
and so on?” said Orr. “So, the lumber shortage is affecting us. But
this pandemic is affecting us even more.”
Despite the challenges, there is some optimism. Marcin expects
pricing will reach a new low in 2021, with strong demand from
the U.S. However, he also believes that certain elements need to
balance out before things regain a sense of normalcy.
“Balancing supply and demand will lower pricing to a more
reasonable level,” Marcin said. “The largest impact on mills is
stumpage fees, labour, freight and carbon tax. These will not
go away, which means there will be a new pricing level for
building materials.”
OCT 27th , 2021
Hay Decorating (1972) Co. Ltd.
Phone: 204-889-8527
Fax: 204-889-8501
Phone: 204-727-2620
Fax: 204-729-8336
Phone: 204-857-7236
Fax: 204-239-1227
Contact Us
PAINTING • VINYL WALL COVERINGS
COMMERCIAL/ STRUCTURAL
E-mail: haydecorating@shaw.ca
Website: www.haydecorating.ca
FEATURE
Suddenly, with much more time
on their hands, Manitobans
decided to finish house projects
that otherwise would probably
have sat dormant for a few
more years.
Other building materials include insulated concrete forms,
which engineers use to reinforce concrete and rigid thermal
insulation to build walls, floors and roofs. Marcin also mentions
engineered wood – an even more effective material than laminated
veneer lumber – due to its densification under high pressure and
different applied techniques.
Whether the industry adopts new practices and materials or
not, Orr remains hopeful and determined to see what the lumber
shortage will look like when the economy can again start revving its
engine to full speed in the months ahead.
“Our economy is hurting because we can’t get material, our
economy is hurting because people can’t afford to build right now
and there will be a push to get this back to normal,” Orr said. “I
honestly think the biggest thing is learning how to deal with the
dynamic within your work environment. Once that’s going, and the
mills are going at 100 per cent capacity again, then the hope is that
we can all get back to ‘normal.’” n
There’s CASH in your
SCRAP METAL!
1.877.284.7278
1.204.726.8080
CALL US:
OPEN MON-FRI: 8AM-5PM
Located at 855 - 49th St East, Brandon MB
BUILDING RURAL MANITOBA | 41
/www.haydecorating.ca
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