SinDoc Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 We had our typical start of the week meeting at work today (I work at an electrical supplies distributor for those who don't know) and the topic of soaring prices came up. 2 years ago we could sell a 500' spool of 12 gauge THHN for roughly $100US, however with todays pricing, that same spool is now over $200US. Market projects are stating that with this drastic upward trend in copper price, it is entirely feasible that within a few years copper could be as much as $14 per pound! That means that same exact spool we sold in 2019 for ~$100, will be closer to $600! Now imagine that price hike on Romex wire for houses. a 250' coil could be close to $200. That plus the cost of lumber and other materials could add 10's of thousands of dollars to the cost of building a home. Say for example a house you could have built in 2018 for $300k could cost $350k or more just because of the added material cost. Copper is going nuts and lumber right right behind it or tied with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 I expect it will drop quite a bit when the supply chains get back in order. OTOH I am sure glad I squirreled away a couple of rolls of romex now that I want to wire my shop *before* things get to settled again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Good on you for being a squirreled away some stuff. Me too. Alas I feel the prices are far more affected by fuel than supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 There's also the fact that a lot of people who might have spent their disposable cash on vacations ended up stuck at home during the pandemic and therefore put that money into home renovations and additions. I expect prices will go back down once that particular increased demand goes away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 I finished all the "Honey Do" jobs like new siding, storm windows, insulation, added a patio, etc last summer rather than vacation so we are good except they raised the assessment of my house $25K because if it, so my property taxes went up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Manufacture was also hit by the lockdown and a grounded freighter blocking the Suez canal. I picked up a replacement 6' ladder the other day and 3/8" plywood was on sale for $70/sheet. I'm thinking once supply catches back up with demand prices will fall. Not to pre-pandemic levels, there are lots of loans, payments, etc. behind but it'll come down. At these prices competition will be picking up and drive prices down. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinDoc Posted June 1, 2021 Author Share Posted June 1, 2021 I think its a myriad of things causing it. Copper is being pushed because of a strike in one of I believe the largest mines. A lot of factories were forced to shut down for a period then came back at reduced capacity, all while most demand didn't drop but if anything went up. Now the plants are playing catch up and are struggling to get caught back up. One of our suppliers is over a million in the hole on single pole 20A breakers, something they should NEVER run out of, let alone be a million behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 That’s a lot of unbreakable amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 You're usually more circuitous John. Feeling Off? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 I think it was the circuit that said to the switch, “You complete me.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 OK, You're GROUNDED! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Don't be short now. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamindshoemaker Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 I can see the sparks are starting to fly round here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Resistance is futile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bantou Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and say a few ohms for meditation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 With what kind of frequency? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 our capacitance for puns is shocking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 53 minutes ago, JHCC said: what kind of frequency? With the kind of confusion of "What's the frequency Kenneth?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 Frosty has enough trouble with the voices in his head; we don’t want to install a Radio. (At least, I’d Rather not.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 Hey, you're the one leading the thinking down the rabbit hole. Now I'm more confused than before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 VICTORY!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 What's the frequency John? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 If I'm getting an implant in my head I want broad band connection and lifetime live streaming! If the band is getting too confusing try another conductor. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 Honestly I'd rather listen to some 16Volt than try to figure out REM's frequency for Kenneth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 5 minutes ago, Daswulf said: What's the frequency John? So frequent it hertz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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