Local framing lumber yard with delivery
Stock studs, joists, beams and sheathing from a small yard and deliver to local builders and remodelers.
- $60k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
7,048 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
NAICS 423310 “Lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel merchant wholesalers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small yard or warehouse holding common framing lumber, engineered beams, sheathing and fasteners, with delivery to job sites. You focus on the framing items local crews use daily and special-order the rest.
Your first three steps
- Talk to local framers and remodelers about what they buy, where they buy it and what frustrates them about current suppliers
- Get quotes from regional wholesale distributors and price out a starter inventory and a rented yard or warehouse space
- Form an LLC, get an EIN and apply for a state resale certificate, then open trade accounts with two or three suppliers
Who pays
Framing crews, remodelers, small home builders, deck builders and owner-builders working on additions or self-build homes.
How it makes money
You buy lumber in volume from mills or wholesale distributors and sell at a markup, plus delivery fees. Repeat contractor accounts and bulk framing packages bring in steady orders.
Skills that help
- Knowing lumber grades, sizes and building materials
- Pricing and reading simple framing plans
- Managing stock and supplier relationships
- Driving or managing delivery
Watch out for
- Lumber prices can swing quickly, so check how you will handle price changes on quotes
- Zoning for a yard or warehouse and any local business license, check with your city or county
- General liability, commercial property and commercial auto insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Forklift and delivery safety, including any operator training requirements
- Cash tied up in stock and customers who pay on 30-day terms
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: local framing lumber yard with delivery
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a framing lumber yard?
Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on yard or warehouse size, stock levels and delivery vehicles. These are estimates, so build your own budget from local quotes. Cash tied up in stock is worth planning for.
How much can a local lumber yard earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on your customer base, stock range and delivery area. That is revenue, not profit, so account for stock, delivery and staffing costs. Lumber prices can swing quickly, which affects quotes.
What should I check before opening a lumber yard?
Check zoning for a yard or warehouse and any local business license with your city or county. Also check insurance such as general liability, commercial property and commercial auto, workers' compensation once you hire, and any forklift operator training requirements.
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