If you’re looking to buy lumber any time soon, prepare to face higher prices.

“The price of lumber is totally escalating,” said Bob Brown, an owner of Robert J. Brown Lumber Co. “(People) are going to pay escalated prices (compared to) what they did four months ago.”

The cost per 1,000 board feet of framing lumber stood at approximately $249 in late December, according to figures from the National Association of Home Builders. Now, it stands at approximately $367.

Mr. Brown traces today’s relatively high prices back to the housing market collapse.

“When the house building business slowed down, the (lumber) mills started shutting down,” Mr. Brown said. “That dried up the market.”

Last winter, however, was particularly cold across much of the United States. This, he said, resulted in less demand for lumber.

“Now, there is starting to be some business,” he added.

In other words, the demand for lumber is starting to grow during a supply crunch.

“There’s nothing in the pipeline,” Mr. Brown said. “It’s making it tough for us.”

Higher lumber prices also affect local homebuilders.

“We’re trying to come out of the housing slump,” said Tim Knapp, president of Tim Knapp Construction Co. “It doesn’t help when lumber prices (increase).”

At present, Mr. Knapp’s company is involved with the Greystone subdivision.

“I’ve been in this business 32 years, and I’ve never seen lumber prices jump like that when you’re coming off a severe winter where you couldn’t work outside that much,” Mr. Knapp said.

Ultimately, homebuyers could share in the pain.

“Any time materials go up, it’s a cost we have to pass on to the consumers,” Mr. Knapp said.

Ryan Davis can be reached at ryan.davis@npgco.com.