September 3, 2020 by Ontario Construction News Staff Writer

There are delays and price increases for residential builders and renovators because of the lumber shortage cause by COVID-19 according to the Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA).

“There is an overwhelming demand for lumber due to strong continued sales in both Ontario and in the United States,” Vaccaro wrote in the letter sent on Aug. 11. “Demand for large retail stores selling directly to homeowners taking on their own projects has also contributed to this shortage.”

“Renovators are having to turn away projects due to the shortage and increased workloads,” OHBA CEO Joe Vaccaro wrote. “An online article from Yahoo Finance stated that according to Stats Canada, renovation-only projects dropped 5 per cent in May compared to January. Paul Jannke of Forest Economic Advisors also reported that lumber production experienced a 34 per cent reduction in production in April.”

According to the local association reports, the Canadian Home Builders’s Association has reached out to the Wood Council of Canada, the Forest Products Association of Canada, Western Retail Lumber Association, Fenestration Canada, and NAIMA to discuss ongoing price increases and supply chain issues.

Vaccaro wrote that the industry expects this “lumber and supply issue in Ontario may extend into September and October.”

COVID-19 lumber shortage causes serious residential building project delays

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