October 30, 2026
The lumber market offered some relief during October, with changes varying considerably by product and dimension. Between September 25 and October 23, Boston-delivered Eastern SPF benchmarks for 8-foot 2×4 and 2×6 declined approximately 5%. The Great Lakes benchmarks we follow specifically for 10-foot material also softened, with 2×4 down approximately 7% and 2×6 down approximately 2%. Panels followed a different path: Western fir CDX plywood edged higher before leveling off, while Eastern Canadian OSB finished the period approximately 8% higher in 7/16-inch sheathing and 5% higher in 23/32-inch tongue-and-groove flooring. Mill curtailments and tighter availability supported OSB pricing despite restrained demand. These wholesale movements create opportunities on selected framing items, but the benefit to an individual project depends on its material mix, specifications, and delivered cost.
October also brought welcome news on Canadian softwood lumber duties. Effective October 19, the final seventh administrative review reduced the combined antidumping and countervailing cash-deposit rate for most covered, non-selected producers from 35.16% to 24.75%. The separate 10% Section 232 tariff remains, bringing the combined rate to 34.75% for lumber subject to both measures; actual rates vary by producer. This is meaningful relief, but the 10.41-percentage-point reduction in duties does not translate directly into an equivalent reduction in customer pricing.
Freight remains a significant obstacle. New England diesel averaged $6.47 per gallon on October 19—approximately 64% above a year earlier—even after easing slightly from late September. The ongoing Middle East conflict continues to constrain oil flows and put pressure on fuel supplies. In our view, elevated freight charges and the timing of new purchases will absorb some of the potential duty savings and limit immediate relief in delivered lumber costs. Operating expenses remain challenging as well: the Boston Federal Reserve’s October report identified energy and freight as significant burdens, causing modest increases in construction costs.
Housing conditions across our Maine, New Hampshire, and northeastern Massachusetts markets remain mixed, with affordability continuing to constrain activity. Maine’s latest county report shows July–September single-family median prices rising 1.6% in Cumberland County and 3.0% in York County compared with a year earlier, while York County’s sales declined 9.2%. In New Hampshire, September median prices increased 2.3% in Rockingham County and 8.1% in Carroll County, with slightly fewer sales in both counties. A September MLS PIN snapshot covering 17 North Shore Massachusetts communities recorded a $750,000 single-family median and a median market time of 22 days, illustrating the substantial purchase prices buyers still face locally. Financing adds another hurdle: Freddie Mac’s national 30-year mortgage benchmark, a useful reference for buyers throughout our territory, increased from 7.03% on September 24 to 7.32% on October 22. Lower framing costs help project budgets, but lumber represents only part of the total cost of building or owning a home. Land, labor, financing, taxes, insurance, and energy expenses continue to influence what customers can afford. Our focus at Hancock remains finding purchasing opportunities, helping customers evaluate material options, and coordinating deliveries so that available savings translate into practical value on the build.
Vendor Spotlight: Reeb + Cleary Wholesale
Reeb and Cleary Wholesale are Hancock Lumber’s preferred door partners, helping us deliver the quality, selection, and service our customers expect.
Reeb is our go-to source for Therma-Tru doors, offering a broad selection of fiberglass and steel entry systems alongside interior door options to complement a variety of home styles and budgets. Their product expertise and support help our teams guide customers through the details, from door and glass selections to the components that support lasting performance. Whether you’re updating an entryway or building a new home, our partnership with Reeb brings dependable products and knowledgeable support to your project.
Cleary Wholesale pairs craftsmanship with an industry-leading lead time of 10 business days or less on prefinished doors, giving our customers an advantage when schedules are tight. Their factory-applied paint and stain finishes help reduce jobsite labor, simplify coordination, and deliver a consistent finished appearance.
As a family-owned company, Cleary shares Hancock’s commitment to strong relationships, personal service, and continued investment in the customer experience. Their capabilities extend beyond prefinishing to include Captiva custom doors and prebuilt stair systems, offering additional ways to save time while bringing a project’s design to life. We’re proud to work alongside both partners to help our customers build with confidence.
As always, please reach out to me directly or to the entire team at [email protected] with any procurement questions, comments, or concerns.
James Gigliotti | Purchasing Manager | 207-713-0237 or [email protected]