Buy Used Lumber in Massachusetts

Save Money and Help the Environment: Your Guide to Buying Used Lumber in Massachusetts

What you'll get from this guide: You'll discover where to find quality used lumber at great prices, how to inspect it properly, and why buying reclaimed wood benefits both your wallet and the environment.

Why Buy Used Lumber?

You get three main benefits:

• Save money: Used lumber costs 30-50% less than new wood
• Get unique character: Old-growth wood has grain patterns you can't find in new lumber
• Help the environment: Keep usable materials out of landfills

How to Inspect Used Lumber

Look for These Good Signs:

• Clean, smooth surfaces
• Straight boards without warping
• Solid feel when tapped
• Original mill marks or stamps
• Rich color and grain patterns

Watch Out for These Problems:

• Soft spots or rot
• Insect holes or damage
• Bent or twisted boards
• Excessive nails or metal
• Strong chemical odors

Ask These Questions:

• Where did this wood come from?
• How old is it?
• What species is it?
• Has it been treated with chemicals?
• Can you mill it to my specifications?

What Different Types Cost

Reclaimed specialists: $3-15 per square foot for flooring, $5-20 per linear foot for beams

Salvage yards: $1-8 per square foot, varies widely by material

Repackify $0.50-3 per linear foot, depends on donations

Smart Buying Tips

Start Small

• Buy a few boards first to test quality
• Check how the wood works with your tools
• See how it looks in your space

Plan Your Project

• Measure twice, buy once
• Add 10-15% extra for waste
• Consider processing time if custom milling is needed

Transport Considerations

• Long beams need special vehicles
• Heavy timbers require lifting equipment
• Factor delivery costs into your budget

Processing Options

• Some suppliers offer kiln-drying
• Custom re-sawing available
• Grading services help ensure quality

Best Practices for Success

Visit multiple locations - Inventory changes constantly

Bring a measuring tape - Verify dimensions before buying

Check return policies - Some sales are final

Ask about volume discounts - Bulk purchases often cost less

Time your visits - New inventory arrives regularly

Example Project: Kitchen Island

Let's say you want to build a kitchen island with reclaimed wood:

What you need:

• 20 square feet of 2-inch thick hardwood for the top
• 40 linear feet of 4x4 posts for the frame

Where to shop:

• Check Repackify first for budget option ($40-80 total)
• Visit salvage yards for character pieces ($80-200 total)
• Consider specialists for guaranteed quality ($200-400 total)

Timeline:

• Repackify: May need multiple visits to find enough matching pieces
• Salvage yards: Usually find what you need in 1-2 visits
• Specialists: Can often fill orders within a week

This approach saves you $100-300 compared to new lumber while giving your project unique character that new wood can't match.

Remember: buying used lumber takes more time and planning than buying new, but the savings and environmental benefits make it worthwhile for many projects.