Since April 18, 2025, framing lumber prices fell by 0.6%, declining to about $480 per 1,000 board feet, and softwood lumber is priced about 23% higher compared to a year ago. Although there are many concerns about tariffs, NAHB continues to track the latest lumber prices and study the overview within the U.S. framing lumber market. Lumber and plywood prices showed slight declines week-over-week, with the Random Lengths framing lumber composite price down 0.6%, though still 23.5% higher year-over-year. Lumber futures remained flat for the week but have dropped 15.2% from a month ago, while structural panel prices, including OSB and plywood (Western Fir and Southern Yellow Pine), also posted modest decreases between 0.2% and 1.0%.
The length of this so-called “waiting period” for lumber prices to drop varies according to builder size, suppliers, and specific build-supplier relationships. Builders’ lumber costs tend to rise quickly with market prices because wholesalers are aiming to maximize profits during price surges. Since retailers have less buying power and act as price takers, they are forced to accept these higher prices, causing their costs to rise in step with the market.
According to NAHB, “Surveys conducted by Home Innovation Research Labs show that the average new single-family home uses more than 2,200 square feet of softwood plywood, and more than 6,800 of OSB, in addition to roughly 15,000 board feet of framing lumber. Softwood lumber is also an input into certain manufactured products used in residential construction — especially cabinets, windows, doors and trusses.”
