Home reno projects create spinoff in sales for lumber yards

Garden boxes, fences and new decks are some of the pandemic projects creating some positive spinoff sales for lumber yards.

Andy Boha, the general manager at Fries Tallman Lumber in Regina, reports business has been quite brisk with more calls and walk-in sales from homeowners looking to tackle various renovation projects they may have been putting off.

At the beginning of the pandemic when many retail businesses were bracing for lower sales, Boha said he and his staff never expected to see this trend of home improvement. But now it seems to make a lot of sense.

“We understand (the trend). People are at home and they’ve got stuff to do at home and they’re taking the opportunity to do it,” Boha said.

“So it wasn’t expected but (we’re) very grateful that it’s happening and they’re thinking about buying local.”

Boha has noticed more new faces and new customers calling who have never visited the store before, so he’s optimistic about more people catching on to supporting local businesses through this difficult time.

While more people are buying supplies to do home renovation projects on their own, Boha noted the business overall is not all good on the commercial side. He said contractors are struggling more as major construction projects slow down.