Replies

1. 
   maverick | Aug 30, 2004 09:24pm | #1

   I've heard hurricane charley is having an impact on the south. Things like plywood and drywall are hard to get even at a premium.

1. 
   florida | Aug 31, 2004 03:45pm | #17

   I'm right in the middle of the area Charley smacked, working on storm damaged stores and houses and I see no shortage of anything. Playwood is readily available and at the regular price. Same with sheetrock.

1. 
   maverick | Aug 31, 2004 04:23pm | #19

   I really hope you dont see the shortages. The ones that will see them are not in as much need as you. Good luck.

2. 
   ed2 | Aug 31, 2004 01:44am | #2

   been watching material fly out of wholesalers as soon as it comes in   when doing proposals, specify that all material is spot quoted and subject to change w/o notice   must be part driven by the storm damage we've had across country    friend in metal goods manufacturing plant showed me price increases over past year, driven by China's demand   they're duplicating our style of housing now, must be buying stuff from our market, oil demand is up over there too

3. 
   poorsh | Aug 31, 2004 02:14am | #3

   Hi

   You must have heard about the duty the lumber producers impose on Canadian lumber. Think it got reduced for the third time after appeals to the WTO-(World Trade Organization). What really rots my socks is that the tariff money goes to the people who file the protests. What an incentive plan! Straight to their bottom line for doing nothing. Guess who really pays? Ask you bank manager how much $3-5,000 dollars is amortized over 25 years.

   Cheers

   Mac

   Only the lead dog's view changes.

1. 
   BossHog | Aug 31, 2004 04:19am | #4

   I doubt the Canadian tarrifs would have anything to do with shortages.Don't be afraid to take a big step. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps. [David Lloyd George]

1. 
   poorsh | Aug 31, 2004 06:41am | #11

   The tariffs are not charged by Canadians. They are levied by your customs on our lumber crossing the great 49th parallel. It used to be roughly 27%. They claim we unfairly subsidize our lumber. After many NAFTA and WTO protests we are slowly getting there. As mentioned above the beneficiaries are your own lumber producers who are passing on the cost to your home owners.

   Cheers

   Mac

1. 
   BossHog | Aug 31, 2004 01:50pm | #15

   I know all about the tarriffs.

   My point was that I don't see how they could have anything to do with causing a shortage.A fool is quick tempered; a wise man stays cool when insulted. [Proverbs 12:16]

1. 
   poorsh | Sep 01, 2004 12:10am | #20

   Hi

   Sometimes the best of intentions backfire. A lot of mills here in British Columbia were shut down because of the tariff. I saw log yards virtually empty of stock. They wouldn't cut it because they couldn't sell it. Eventually that works its' way down the line. By the way I just heard that we had won another ruling at NAFTA that has to be implemented by Sept 6th.

   Cheers

   Mac

2. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 31, 2004 04:36am | #5

   >> Ask your bank manager how much $3-5,000 dollars is amortized over 25 years.

   $5000 at 7% for 25 years is $35.34 per month.

1. 
   DougU | Aug 31, 2004 04:48am | #6

   UD

   I know your not pulling those numbers out of your hat, where you getting the amortization info?

   Doug

1. 
   JeffBuck | Aug 31, 2004 04:57am | #7

   well .. for one ...

   you can go to most any book store and get an amortization book.

   usually near the realestate section .. sometimes even called a mortgage this or thst book ...

   mine's called "Barrons Financial Guide   Mortgage Payments"

   $7.95.

   have the recient as a bookmark ...

   Barnes and Noble ...

   I got my first copy when selling cars ...

   now just nice to have around the house ...

   JeffBuck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

1. 
   DougU | Aug 31, 2004 06:25am | #10

   I dont got the $7.95 to waste, figured Unc found a web site to do the figuring.

2. 
   frontiercc | Aug 31, 2004 03:56pm | #18

   If ya don't got $7.95 to buy a book, do you have excel?  It's a simple Time value of money problem.  Excel will do it for ya.  Don't even have to go to the "net to google a calculator if you have Excel on your desktop.  Let me know if you want directions.

   You can also do a fairly simple longhand version if you have a scientific calculator.  Don't remember the formula but I can look it up for you if you want.

3. 
   DougU | Sep 01, 2004 12:50am | #21

   I was just being a smart azz about the $7.95, figured there was some web site that had it available.

   I remember back in college doing a program on it as Unc Dunc said he had. But that was on a main frame and I can barely figure out these PC's. :)

   I don't have excel on this computer but I know we do on the lap top, have to take a look at it and see if I can remember how to run it.

   thanks for the offer

   Doug

4. 
   JohnSprung | Sep 01, 2004 01:49am | #22

   Here's a mortgage spreadsheet:

   -- J.S.

5. 
   DougU | Sep 01, 2004 05:22am | #24

   Thanks John, and Rvillaume

6. 
   rvillaume | Sep 01, 2004 03:19am | #23

   John Sprung's sheet is right, and there's a PMT function in excel as well to calculate the payments.  JS's sheet uses the formula.

2. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 31, 2004 06:54am | #12

   >> ... where you getting the amortization info?

   I wrote an amortization program in C about 17 years ago. Been using it ever since.

   For a web site, Google for "amortization calculator", with or without the quotes.

2. 
   poorsh | Aug 31, 2004 05:20am | #9

   Hi

   By my calculations it would cost the Homoaner another $10602 depending on his tax bracket.

   Cheers

   Mac

1. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 31, 2004 06:57am | #13

   >> ... it would cost the Homeowner another $10602 ...

   That matches my numbers. $5000 principle, $5601.75 interest.

4. 
   kcoyner | Aug 31, 2004 05:00am | #8

   Boss,

   We arent' having to much trouble but what I have noticed is that most of our wall materials (2x4s  2x6s) is coming from Europe.  Mainly Germany and Austria.  The stuff is good and straight right out of the hacks, (about 10% culls) but after a few days in the sun it'll twist like crazy.  We have to go back and block between studs at the top and bottom plates our get the tweeker out to try and bring em back straight.  Some we just have to replace.

   k

5. 
   junkhound | Aug 31, 2004 07:24am | #14

   Ron, it just took on the 3rd pass reading between not only the lines, but the margins of this post.  Did youreally intend the inference??

   Yes, as I get older, I do find I need a "helper" to get the "wood" up for the job.

1. 
   BossHog | Aug 31, 2004 01:52pm | #16

   You certainly read more into the thread than I intended.

   I was serious about having trouble getting enough lumber to build trusses out of. It's been touch and go for about a month.Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't.