Buying building package and storing outside

[OptionalStop]

I'm buying a 24 x 36 pole barn package for a build this spring and want to get the best possible price. When my supplier gave me a quote this past late summer/fall he said prices are expected to go down. I want to buy my building while they are low, maybe towards the end of February before peak building season but have no place to store the materials other than outside under a cover. Would this be a bad idea? I live in Upstate NY where there will be snow and wet weather around that time. Obviously I'd be covering everything with heavy duty plastic and tarp, and place everything on a bed of pallets off the ground, but don't want any of my materials soaking up moisture and twisting. I would think most lumber will be strapped together, though.

 

[Notgrownup]

Even covered, make sure there is ventilation....Unless it’s completely 100% sealed moisture can take its toll...why don’t you try to negotiate a buy now deliver later or some kind of price quote with a time guarantee...

 

[jscoggin]

Even covered, make sure there is ventilation....Unless it’s completely 100% sealed moisture can take its toll...why don’t you try to negotiate a buy now deliver later or some kind of price quote with a time guarantee...

Agreed. No way in the world would I let my lumber package sit in the elements for any length of time. This is especially true during a season change which will be even more hard on it. My trusses sat for only a week, during a time where the weather was consistent and even then, they warped enough to make the installation a major pita. Most larger suppliers would be willing to do a buy now deliver later within reason.

 

[RPH]

Bought my 30’x72’ pole barn. It showed up in December in the middle of a snowstorm. I was working out of town at the time. Driver and son unloaded in the weather and placed everything on the pad. Then they used the moffit to push the truck out, it was that bad. When I finally made it home a couple weeks later we took the trusses and built a quick cradle to hold them vertical. It sat that way until summer when I had a chance to begin assembly. The only loss on the project was the cement for the posts. It had hardened and it cost me about 20 bags worth. Order the kit and tell them to cut the concrete. My was well packaged and the trusses were fine when installed later that year. Yup, life on the road is hard on project timelines.

 

[readhead]

It's a crapshoot. You run the risk of the material being unusable for saving some money now. It could cost you more in the long run. I have been in the construction business for forty six years and I wouldn't do it.

 

[OptionalStop]

Well I just spoke to the building supplier and the prices haven't changed on the material so I'll wait another month or two.

 

[purplezr2]

Do you save much by tarping it? Honestly. I wouldn’t be to worried if it was tarped well.

 

[TractorJeff]

Top sheets of Sheetmetal exposed to snow, rain and sun will discolor(fade). Lumber stacked and covered will be fine. Any kind of chip board will swell the top and bottom sheets, even covered.

 

[pogrelis97]

I'd wait, I don't see lumber prices going up anytime soon. I got a lumber bid in September for my house, they delivered it this month and told me it would be $1800 cheaper because lumber prices were falling.