When ordering a lumber package and listing plate stock do contractors typically order all 16 foot stock or do they factor in the fact that shorter pieces will be needed? ie, you have a 26 foot wall, do you order 10 foot and 16 foot pieces, or just 16 foot pcs since you always need blocking or small headers etc.?
Yes, you can take plans to the supplier who will ususally work up a list for you. In my case I have my own plans and they do not have every measurement on them (some stuff is in my head). Yes, I could refine them.
But if I were to do the material list myself, is it just easier and just about as cost effective to order 16 foot stock across the board?
What does your typical material list look like on your jobs, regarding plate sotck? joist are obvious, studs are studs, sheet goods are sheet goods.
Thanks to all willing to be helpful.
Replies
Haven't framed in many years but we always had the lumber company do takeoffs and they always sent 16 footers for plates.
That is what I was thinking
Could get kind of crazy to have 10s 12 14s .... and then dig through your stacks for the "right" length
Yeah, 16s always worked out since we used them for braces and anything else as well. You always need shorts for something. .
I'm not a contractor, but I think that I have some helpful information anyway.
I've always found that if one needs pre-cut studs then those lengths should be ordered. But get extra because some will be really bad and unusable. (Keep them clean so you can return them without embarrasment.) For all other lumber, get 16 footers. Nearly all cuts other than studs have to be measured and cut anyway and the 16 foot stock is better material than short stuff. It is straighter, less knotty, less prone to warp. In my area, the price per mbf is the same for the long stock as it is for the 8' crap. Whatever you do, don't buy "econo" anything, unless it's for a beach fire.
At the lumberyard I work at, 16' lumber is the most expensive per foot. Lenghts 14' and shorter are all about the same per foot.
But - Pricing varies from one yard to another. It might be worth asking the yard(s) you deal with.
If you're paying for the labor to frame a house, I doubt there would be significant savings from using shorter stock. (Based on our prices) If you're a DIY or on a volunteer job it could be worth it.