Why the cost increase?


I went to buy materials for a speaker project. I also priced some T-111 siding on 8" centers, 5/8 thick, Ship lap.
I hadn’t picked up any sheets or anything in over 18 months.

48" x 96 x 5/8 wood siding was 19-26.00 and on sale 15-20.00 per sheet, NOW 74-84.00 per sheet.

MDF 3/4" 48 x 96" if you can find it. 45-55.00 per sheet it was 22.00 to 27.00 per sheet.

2x4x8 DF stud grade 1.99-3.00 per. Now 4-6.00 per stud,

There is no shortage but there sure is a LOT of price gouging. NOTHING changed. Just the price..

The quality is worse. The workers aren’t paid worth a crap...Why the increase?

I’m getting ready to finish my home out. WOW.. I might have to rethink this a bit..

The price all most tripled in 12-18 months.. This kind of stuff is NOT cool at ALL.

Just my opinion of course. Any projects you’re doing get put on hold or STOPED?

YES I’m very frugal. Money never came easy, and it leaves the same way..

oldhvymec
I have a friend who invests in commodity futures and about three years ago he told me he was investing in lumber, as he found out that, in 2016 a few Canadian investors then owned 41% of the lumber-producing capacity in the U.S.  He told me that he suspects they "engineered" the price hikes after the U.S. slapped tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports.
Big rip off !!!  Plain and simple , the rich get richer and the poor get poorer .Help globe warming ! Lease the new 500 Horse power 5000 pound SUV.  "" You only die once ""
@oldhvymec.Supply and demand.

Companies have labor/manpower shortages and it is systemic across the globe. Transportation costs have quadrupled at a minimum in the last year.

In this country we need to cut the unemployment and COVID funds so people get back to work.

Most of this is not the rich getting richer it is truly that our costs are skyrocketing in the life during COVID.

I think it will get worse before it get better. Talking Carter Era inflation.  
It's going to get much worse.  Only one side gets a voice. You don't agree, you're cancelled!  I understand we all can't agree on everything, but to label and censor,and cancel those you don't agree with??  When did this become acceptable on any level??