globalnews.ca
79%
465
Saskatchewan home builders, buyers paying cost of record-high lumber prices
lumber suppliers and home builders are riding the highs and lows of the COVID-19 economy.At the start of the pandemic, Warman Home Centre near Saskatoon was bracing for an uncertain summer as a building materials retailer.“We didn’t know how hard COVID would hit and how much it would affect sales,” said Rick Casavant, Warman Home Centre president.“We were clearing out inventory because we thought there would be a lot less demand.” Lumber, panel prices expected to remain elevated despite recent declines Instead, Casavant said, with more people working from home — and staying home during the summer — his store saw an increased demand for lumber.At the same time, major Canadian lumber producers were forced to curtail production due to the