Do it Best Breaks Down the When-to-Buy Opportunities

Do it Best's LBM Luncheon on Sept. 5 featured market outlooks and buying tips from (left to right) Abeer Saeed, merchandise manager for millwork and interiors; Gabe Arnold, chief lumber buyer; and Lauren Wilson, Purchasing Manager for Building Materials. They were questioned by Ryan Colby, Strategic Business Development Manager.

By Craig Webb

With flat conditions through December and a gradual improvement in 2026, when and how much to buy depends on both the product and the opportunity, purchasing experts at Do it Best said today. Here's their outlook, presented at an LBM luncheon in Indianapolis kicking off the co-op's Fall Market.

Lumber prices have been rocked by Sept. 4 announcements of curtailments at Interfor and Domtar, said Gabe Arnold, an LBM Division lumber purchasing manager. As a result, "this could potentially be the bottom of the market," he said. Arnold stuck with his continuing advice that dealers keep a 30-day supply in stock.

Roofing's list prices hide "very deep discounts" that will last into the winter buys, said Lauren Wilson, the LBM Division's Purchasing Manager for Building Materials. The marketplace is saturated with product, including suspected extra supply at the manufacturer level. Her advice: "Don't overbuy."

In contrast, insulation prices will stay high, largely because of supply chain issues, she said. Ditto for steel and rebar prices, which have gone up because of tariffs on imports.

As for gypsum, Wilson said pricing is down, but not so much that you can count on just-in-time deliveries.

"Make sure on fast-moving products at your stores that you keep 45 to 60 days of supply, not two weeks," she advised.

OSB panel prices have dropped substantially since the spring, Arnold said. That has led to relative bargains now. And, unlike the lumber mills, OSB plants might keep operating because they'll want to keep market share when several new OSB mills come online next year. His guidance remains keeping a 30-day inventory.

Abeer Saeed, Merchandise Manager for Millwork and Interiors, focused on trends rather than price beyond noting a Do it Best program with Synchrony that offers customer financing for flooring and other big projects.