Frequently Asked Questions

You can place an order in several ways. The most popular option is visiting our yard at 1316 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 during business hours to hand-select your lumber. You can also email us at info@losangeles-lumber.com with your material list, and we will pull and prepare your order for pickup or delivery. For large or complex orders, we recommend scheduling a consultation so our team can review your project plans and help you select the right species, grade, and quantity. We respond to all email inquiries within 24 hours on business days.

Pricing depends on several factors: species, grade, dimensions, rarity, processing level, and current availability. Generally, reclaimed softwoods (pine, fir, spruce) are priced at $3 to $6 per board foot, comparable to or slightly below premium new lumber. Reclaimed hardwoods like oak and maple typically run $6 to $12 per board foot, reflecting their superior old-growth quality. Rare species like American chestnut, old-growth heart pine, and antique white oak command premium prices of $12 to $25+ per board foot due to extreme scarcity. Custom-milled products (planed, T&G, shiplap) include a milling surcharge on top of the raw material price. Contact us for a current price sheet or project-specific quote.

No minimum order for yard pickup — you are welcome to buy a single board if that is all you need. For delivery, we have a practical minimum of approximately 100 board feet or $250, whichever is reached first, to make the logistics worthwhile. Custom milling orders have separate minimums depending on the service: planing requires at least 50 board feet, tongue-and-groove profiling starts at 100 board feet, and custom molding profiles require at least 200 linear feet. These minimums help us set up equipment efficiently and keep pricing competitive for everyone.

Absolutely. Email us your material list with species, dimensions, grade, and quantity, and we will respond with a detailed quote within 24 hours during business days. For complex projects, send us your plans, drawings, or even rough sketches, and our team will create a comprehensive material list with pricing. Quotes are valid for 7 days, as reclaimed lumber inventory changes frequently. We can also provide on-site estimates for demolition salvage, large procurement projects, and commercial installations.

We accept cash, personal and business checks, all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), Venmo, Zelle, and bank wire transfers. For contractor accounts and commercial customers, we offer Net-30 payment terms upon credit approval. For larger projects exceeding $5,000, we can arrange milestone-based payment schedules. A 50% deposit is required on all custom milling orders before work begins, with the balance due upon completion or before delivery.

We accept returns of unprocessed lumber within 14 days of purchase with your original receipt. The lumber must be in the same condition as when purchased — no cuts, stains, finishes, or damage. Custom-milled lumber (planed, profiled, or cut to specific dimensions) is not returnable since it has been processed to your specifications. A 15% restocking fee applies to returns. If you receive lumber that does not match your order or has undisclosed defects, contact us immediately and we will make it right at no charge. We stand behind the quality and accuracy of every order.

We strongly encourage it. Visiting our yard at 1316 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 lets you see, touch, and hand-select every piece for your project. This is especially important for reclaimed lumber, where each board has unique character, color, and grain patterns that you really need to evaluate in person. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours — no appointment needed. For large projects or if you need assistance from our team, we recommend calling ahead so we can have the right staff available. Bring your tape measure, moisture meter if you have one, and your project dimensions for the most productive visit.

Yes, we offer tiered pricing for larger orders. Orders over 500 board feet receive a 5% discount, orders over 1,000 board feet receive 10%, and orders over 2,500 board feet receive 15-20% depending on the species and grade. Commercial accounts, contractors, and repeat customers may qualify for additional pricing arrangements. We also offer project-based pricing for large installations like commercial accent walls, restaurant fit-outs, or multi-unit residential projects. Contact us to discuss volume pricing for your specific needs.

Yes. For orders over 500 board feet, we offer complimentary project consultation where our experienced team helps you choose the right species, grade, and dimensions; estimate quantities based on your plans; suggest cost-effective alternatives; and coordinate delivery with your construction timeline. For architects and designers, we provide material sample boards, specification sheets, and can attend project meetings to advise on reclaimed wood applications. Paid on-site consultations are available for $150 per visit within Los Angeles County, credited toward your lumber purchase.

Yes, we deliver throughout Greater Los Angeles with our fleet of flatbed trucks equipped with hydraulic liftgates. Our primary service area covers all of Los Angeles County, including Downtown LA, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach, Glendale, Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, South Bay, Westside, and all surrounding communities. We regularly deliver to Orange County, parts of Ventura County, and the western Inland Empire for a modest additional fee. For orders over 1,000 board feet, we can arrange delivery anywhere in Southern California from San Diego to Santa Barbara.

Delivery fees are based on distance from our South LA yard and the size of the load. Standard delivery within a 15-mile radius starts at $75 for small loads (under 300 BF) and $125 for full flatbed loads. Deliveries to further areas within LA County range from $100 to $200. Orange County and Ventura County deliveries are typically $150 to $250. For large orders over 1,000 board feet within LA County, delivery is often complimentary. We always quote delivery fees upfront so there are no surprises.

Standard delivery within Greater Los Angeles is typically scheduled within 3 to 5 business days of order confirmation. For in-stock items and urgent needs, next-business-day delivery is available for an additional $50 rush fee. We deliver Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM. Saturday deliveries can be arranged by request for an additional $75 surcharge. Custom milling orders require additional lead time — typically 1 to 3 weeks for standard milling and up to 4 to 6 weeks for complex or large-volume jobs.

We will contact you to schedule a delivery window (typically a 2-3 hour morning or afternoon window). Our driver will call 30 minutes before arrival. Someone 18 or older must be present to receive the delivery, inspect the material, and sign the delivery receipt. Our drivers can place lumber in your driveway, garage, or yard using our liftgate and hand-carrying, but we cannot navigate stairs or enter buildings. For heavy timbers or large orders, please ensure the delivery area is accessible by our trucks (a standard flatbed is 8 feet wide and 24 feet long). If special placement is needed, let us know in advance so we can plan appropriately.

Absolutely. Yard pickup is free and available during regular business hours at 1316 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We have a covered loading area and our team will help load your vehicle using forklifts and hand loading at no extra charge. For smaller orders, a standard pickup truck or SUV with the tailgate down works fine. For larger orders, bring a full-size truck or flatbed trailer. We can also load roof racks if your vehicle is properly equipped. Please secure all loads with straps or rope before leaving — we have tie-down supplies available for purchase if needed.

We do not offer standard UPS or FedEx shipping for lumber due to the size and weight involved. However, we can arrange freight shipping via LTL (less-than-truckload) carriers for orders anywhere in the continental United States. Freight costs are calculated based on weight, dimensions, and destination — typically $300 to $800 for a pallet-sized shipment to the East Coast. For specialty or rare reclaimed species, customers across the country regularly order from us and arrange their own freight pickup from our yard. We palletize and shrink-wrap all freight shipments at no extra charge.

We require someone present to inspect and accept the materials. If no one is available and we cannot reach you by phone, we will hold the load and reschedule for the next available slot. A $75 redelivery fee applies for missed deliveries. If you know you will not be on site, you can authorize a representative by providing their name and contact information when scheduling. We also offer a pre-authorized curbside drop option for residential deliveries where you sign a release form accepting the delivery without being physically present.

Reclaimed lumber is wood that has been salvaged from existing structures rather than harvested from living trees. Sources include demolished barns, warehouses, factories, bridges, railroad trestles, water and wine tanks, old homes, commercial buildings, and even sunken river logs. Instead of going to a landfill or being burned, this wood is rescued, transported to our yard, denailed (all metal removed), cleaned, inspected, graded, and prepared for reuse in new construction and design projects. Reclaimed lumber carries the history of its previous life — the patina, nail holes, weathering, and character marks tell a story that new wood simply cannot replicate.

In many cases, reclaimed lumber is actually stronger than equivalent new lumber. Much of the reclaimed supply comes from old-growth trees that grew slowly over 100-300+ years before being harvested in the 1800s and early 1900s. This slow growth produced extremely dense wood with tight, even grain rings — often 15 to 30 rings per inch compared to 4 to 8 rings per inch in modern plantation timber. This density translates directly to superior structural strength, hardness, and dimensional stability. A reclaimed old-growth Douglas fir beam can have 30-50% higher bending strength than a modern Doug fir beam of the same dimensions. However, each piece should be individually evaluated for decay, damage, and defects that may have occurred during its service life.

Yes, when properly processed — and all our reclaimed lumber is processed to ensure safety. Every piece is denailed (all metal removed), cleaned of dirt and debris, and inspected for active insect infestation and contamination. For interior applications, we ensure appropriate moisture content of 6-8%, which matches the equilibrium moisture content of indoor environments in the Los Angeles area. We can provide kiln-dried reclaimed lumber, which also kills any dormant insects or insect eggs. We never sell pressure-treated lumber for interior use. If you have specific safety concerns — for example, lumber for a nursery, a kitchen, or food-contact surfaces — let us know and we will help you select the safest options.

Lead paint is a serious concern with any reclaimed material from pre-1978 structures, and we take it very seriously. All incoming lumber is visually inspected for paint residue. Any wood with visible paint from structures known or suspected to predate 1978 is tested using EPA-approved XRF testing equipment. Pieces that test positive for lead are either stripped using certified lead-abatement procedures or diverted to enclosed structural applications. We never sell lead-painted lumber for exposed interior applications. We maintain detailed records of our testing protocols, and this documentation is available upon request for commercial and institutional projects.

Our team uses a multi-step identification process. We begin with visual inspection of grain pattern, color, and texture. Then we examine the end grain under magnification to assess pore size, arrangement, and ray patterns — these microscopic characteristics are definitive identifiers for most species. We also use density measurements (comparing weight-to-volume ratios against known values) and, for ambiguous cases, burn tests and chemical spot tests. For high-value or critical structural applications, we can arrange third-party species identification through a certified wood technologist. Every piece in our inventory is labeled with its identified species, and we are transparent if a piece cannot be conclusively identified.

Our inventory changes constantly based on what we source from demolition and salvage projects, but we consistently stock the following: Douglas fir (our most abundant species, from warehouses and industrial buildings throughout Southern California), white and red oak, heart pine / longleaf pine (from Southern mill buildings), redwood (from decks, water tanks, and fencing), western red cedar, white pine, ponderosa pine, hard and soft maple, and poplar. We periodically receive specialty species including American chestnut (rare and prized), walnut, elm, ash, hickory, cypress, teak from boat decking, and ipe from commercial decking. Check with us about current availability of specific species — our inventory page is updated weekly.

Moisture content varies depending on the source and storage history. Lumber stored in our covered yard typically stabilizes at 10-14% MC, suitable for most exterior and covered outdoor applications. For interior use, we recommend our kiln-dried options which are brought down to 6-8% MC. We meter every piece before sale and can provide readings upon request. If your project requires a specific MC range, let us know and we will select pieces that meet your requirements or kiln-dry material to your target specification. In the Los Angeles area, interior EMC is typically 6-8% and exterior EMC is 10-14%, depending on season and microclimate.

We offer comprehensive custom milling services to transform raw reclaimed or new lumber into exactly what your project requires. Our capabilities include: surface planing (S2S, S4S) up to 24 inches wide; straight-line ripping to custom widths; crosscutting to specified lengths; tongue-and-groove profiling in standard and custom patterns; shiplap profiling; beadboard and V-groove profiles; resawing thick stock into thinner boards; live-edge slab flattening up to 60 inches wide using our CNC router sled; edge-joining and glue-ups for wide panels; sanding to 80, 120, 150, or 220 grit; and custom molding profiles to match existing trim. Turnaround is typically 3-5 business days for standard orders and 1-3 weeks for large or complex jobs.

Yes, we actively buy used lumber from demolition sites, renovation projects, estate cleanouts, and surplus inventory. We are interested in most species and conditions, though pricing depends on species, dimensions, quantity, quality, and what processing will be needed on our end. To get a quote, contact us with details: species (if known), approximate dimensions and quantity, general condition (sound? weathered? painted? rotted?), and location. For large quantities (1,000+ board feet) from demolition or renovation sites, we offer free pickup with our trucks and crew. For smaller quantities, you can bring them to our yard for evaluation during business hours.

Yes. While reclaimed lumber is our specialty and passion, we also stock a selection of new domestic and imported lumber for customers who need specific dimensions, grades, or quantities that our reclaimed inventory may not cover. Our new lumber selection includes Douglas fir, western red cedar, redwood, white oak, red oak, hard maple, walnut, cherry, and poplar. We source from sustainable, responsibly managed forests whenever possible and prefer FSC-certified products. Many customers use a combination of reclaimed and new lumber — reclaimed for visible features and character, new for consistent framing and structural elements.

Yes. We maintain a network of demolition contractors, salvage operations, and fellow reclaimed lumber dealers throughout California and the Western United States. If we do not currently have what you need in stock, we can often source it within 2 to 4 weeks. Rare species like American chestnut or large-dimension timbers (12x12 and larger) may take longer. We charge a small sourcing fee for special requests, which is credited toward your purchase if you proceed. Let us know your project timeline and we will give you an honest assessment of availability and lead time.

The ideal finish depends on your application and the look you want. For a natural, low-sheen look that preserves reclaimed character, we recommend penetrating oil finishes like Rubio Monocoat, Osmo Polyx, or Danish oil. These soak into the wood rather than sitting on top, maintaining the tactile quality. For high-traffic surfaces (tabletops, floors), a matte or satin polyurethane provides excellent durability. Avoid high-gloss finishes on reclaimed wood — they look artificial and highlight surface irregularities. For exterior use, a penetrating UV-protective oil (Penofin, TWP, or Armstrong-Clark) is ideal. For a weathered grey look, simply leave the wood unfinished and it will develop a silver patina naturally. Always test your finish on a scrap piece first, as reclaimed wood can absorb unevenly.

Yes. We have a dedicated section for lower-grade reclaimed wood perfect for non-construction uses. Our firewood-grade reclaimed hardwood is popular with barbecue and pizza oven enthusiasts — oak and fruitwood pieces cost significantly less than our construction-grade material. We also sell shorts, cutoffs, and character pieces ideal for craft projects, woodturning, cutting boards, small furniture, and artistic applications. These are priced by the bundle or by weight rather than by board foot. Our offcut bins are open during business hours for browsing, and many local artists and makers visit regularly to find unique pieces.

Choosing reclaimed lumber delivers environmental benefits across multiple dimensions. First, it reduces demand for new tree harvesting, preserving forests that serve as critical carbon sinks, wildlife habitats, and watershed protectors. Second, it diverts wood from landfills, where it would decompose anaerobically and produce methane — a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year horizon. Third, it avoids the substantial carbon emissions from logging, sawmill operations, and transportation of new lumber from forest to mill to retailer. Fourth, it preserves the carbon already stored in the wood (a mature tree stores about 1 ton of CO2). The EPA estimates that one truckload of reclaimed lumber saves the equivalent of 10-15 mature trees. Additionally, reclaimed lumber avoids the water pollution from logging runoff and eliminates the need for chemical treatments used in modern lumber production.

Yes. Reclaimed lumber can contribute to multiple LEED credits under v4 and v4.1. The most direct credit is MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization — Sourcing of Raw Materials, where salvaged and reused materials earn points. Reclaimed wood also contributes to MR Credit: Construction and Demolition Waste Management by diverting material from landfills. Locally sourced reclaimed lumber (within 100 miles) can contribute to regional materials credits. Depending on the project, it may also earn Innovation credits. We provide all necessary documentation — material origin records, quantities, species verification, and chain-of-custody information — to support your LEED submissions. Several LEED Platinum and Gold projects in the Los Angeles area have used our reclaimed lumber.

We source from a variety of local and regional demolition and salvage operations across Southern California and beyond. Our most common sources include: commercial building demolitions in downtown LA, the Arts District, Vernon, and South LA industrial zones; barn deconstructions from the Central Valley and rural California; warehouse teardowns throughout Greater LA; residential renovations of pre-1960s homes; old bridge and railroad trestle replacements from Caltrans and railroad projects; wine and water tank dismantling from Napa, Sonoma, and Central Coast wineries; retired boat and dock lumber from SoCal marinas; and occasionally estate sales and surplus from other lumber operations. We maintain long-standing relationships with demolition contractors and property owners who contact us first when they have lumber to salvage.

Research from Yale University and the US Forest Service estimates that using reclaimed lumber instead of newly harvested timber reduces carbon emissions by 1.5 to 3.0 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per 1,000 board feet. This accounts for avoided logging emissions, avoided sawmill processing energy, avoided transportation from forest to mill, diverted landfill methane, and preserved carbon sequestration in standing forests. For a typical LA home renovation using 2,000-3,000 board feet of reclaimed lumber, that translates to roughly 3-9 metric tons of CO2 savings — equivalent to taking 1-2 cars off the road for a full year. We can provide carbon-offset documentation for commercial projects seeking to quantify their environmental impact.

Sustainability is integrated into every aspect of how we run our business. Our yard runs on rooftop solar panels for all electrical needs. We use a closed-loop water system for dust suppression in our milling area. All sawdust and wood scraps too small for resale are composted or donated to local community gardens for mulch — nothing goes to a landfill. We minimize packaging and use recycled or recyclable materials when packaging is needed. Our delivery trucks are routed for maximum efficiency to reduce fuel consumption, and we combine deliveries whenever possible. We offer digital receipts and invoices to reduce paper waste. We are members of the US Green Building Council and the Building Materials Reuse Association.

Target moisture content depends on the application and the environment where the wood will be installed. For interior use in the Los Angeles area, aim for 6-8% MC, which matches our typical indoor equilibrium moisture content (EMC). For covered exterior applications (porches, pergolas, covered patios), 10-14% is appropriate. For fully exposed exterior use, 12-18% is acceptable since the wood will fluctuate with outdoor humidity. The critical rule: wood should be installed at or near the EMC of its final environment. Wood installed too wet will shrink, causing gaps, cracks, and joint failures. Always check MC with a pin-type or pinless moisture meter before installation — do not rely on appearance or feel alone.

Warping is caused by uneven moisture changes across the wood grain. To minimize it: (1) Acclimate lumber in the installation environment for at least 5-7 days (2 weeks for flooring). (2) Seal all end grain with wax or end-grain sealer to slow moisture exchange. (3) Apply finish to ALL six sides of every board — uneven finishing causes uneven moisture movement. (4) Use proper fastening: screws resist cupping better than nails. (5) For tabletops and wide panels, use figure-8 fasteners or slotted screw holes that allow seasonal movement. (6) Choose quarter-sawn boards when possible — they warp about half as much as flat-sawn. (7) Store lumber flat on a level surface with stickers between layers. Reclaimed lumber is actually more stable than new wood in many cases because it has already been through numerous moisture cycles.

Yes, but with proper evaluation. Reclaimed lumber can absolutely be used structurally — its old-growth density often makes it stronger than modern equivalents. However, structural use requires: (1) Accurate species identification, since design values differ by species. (2) Visual stress-grading of each piece for strength-reducing defects (knots, slope of grain, shakes, splits, decay). (3) Appropriate moisture content. (4) Ruling out internal decay or hidden damage. (5) Review and approval by a structural engineer, especially in seismic Zone 4 like Los Angeles. We can identify species and perform preliminary grading, and we work regularly with several LA-area structural engineers experienced in reclaimed timber construction who can provide the formal engineering sign-off required by building departments.

You have several options depending on your aesthetic preference: (1) Leave them as-is — most people consider nail holes and fastener marks part of the character that makes reclaimed wood special. This is by far the most popular choice. (2) Fill with colored wood filler matched to the surrounding wood for a subtle repair. (3) Fill with tinted two-part epoxy for a stronger, more permanent fill — especially good for larger holes. (4) For large holes or damage, a skilled woodworker can create a dutchman patch (inlaid piece of matching wood) that is nearly invisible. (5) For small fills, mix fine sanding dust from the same species with thin CA (super glue) for an excellent color match. (6) For a decorative look, fill holes with contrasting colored epoxy or metal inlays.

Air-dried lumber is dried naturally by stacking with spacers (stickers) in a covered, ventilated area. The process is slow — roughly 1 year per inch of thickness — and the wood reaches equilibrium with outdoor humidity, typically 10-15% MC in the LA area. Kiln-dried lumber is placed in a controlled-environment chamber where temperature and humidity are precisely managed, reducing MC to 6-8% in 1-4 weeks. The heat of kiln drying (typically 130-180 degrees F) also kills all insects, insect eggs, and fungal spores — an important benefit for reclaimed wood. Kiln-dried lumber is preferred for interior applications, furniture, and flooring. Air-dried is acceptable for exterior applications, framing, and rough construction. We offer both options for our reclaimed inventory.

Proper storage prevents warping, staining, and moisture damage. Follow these rules: (1) Store lumber flat, never leaning — leaning causes bowing. (2) Support the stack evenly on at least 3 points across its length on a flat, level surface. (3) Place stickers (3/4-inch thick wood strips) between each layer at 16-24 inch intervals. Stickers must be aligned vertically. (4) Keep lumber off the ground on a raised platform or pallets. (5) Protect from rain and direct sun with a tarp or roof but allow air circulation on all sides — do not wrap tightly in plastic. (6) For interior projects, store lumber in the room where it will be installed for at least 5-7 days to acclimate. (7) Weight the top of the stack to keep boards flat. In the dry LA climate, covered outdoor storage works well for most species.

Essential tools for reclaimed wood projects: a quality tape measure, combination square, circular saw or miter saw with a carbide-tipped blade (carbide withstands the occasional hidden nail far better than HSS), cordless drill/driver, pin-type moisture meter, a strong rare-earth magnet or metal detector (run this over every board before cutting), safety glasses, hearing protection, and an N95 dust mask or better for sanding old wood. For more advanced work: a thickness planer for surfacing rough stock, table saw for ripping, random orbital sander, jigsaw for curved cuts, and a router for edge profiles. The single most important safety rule: always scan for hidden metal before running reclaimed boards through a planer or table saw. One missed nail can destroy a $100+ blade and launch dangerous shrapnel.

We currently operate without a dedicated phone line to keep our small team focused on the hands-on work of sorting, grading, milling, and serving customers at our yard. The best way to reach us is through the contact form on our website or by email at info@losangeles-lumber.com. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours on business days, and often much sooner. For time-sensitive matters, note the urgency in your subject line and we will prioritize it. When you visit our yard in person during business hours, our full team is available for in-depth discussions about your project.