Custom Orders & Processing
Can't find what you need? We'll source it, process it, finish it, and deliver it custom-made for your project.
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Whether you need reclaimed beams for a renovation or want to sell salvaged lumber, our team is ready to help. Fill out the form and we'll respond within 24 hours.
“Every board we reclaim is a step toward a greener Los Angeles.”
— Rafael Cortez, Founder
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Your Vision, Our Expertise
Every project is different. The reclaimed wood accent wall in a Malibu beach house has different requirements than the heart pine flooring in a downtown loft or the old-growth timber frame in a San Fernando Valley winery. That is why custom processing is at the heart of what we do.
From sourcing rare species across the country to precision-milling complex profiles to pre-finishing material for on-site efficiency, our custom processing services give you a single point of contact for everything your project needs. Tell us what you are building and we will figure out how to get you the perfect wood for it.
Our Custom Services
We offer a complete suite of custom services that cover every stage from material sourcing through finished, delivered product.
Custom Sourcing
Looking for a specific species, age, or character of reclaimed wood? We tap into our extensive network of demolition contractors, builders, and salvage yards across the western United States to find exactly what you need. Whether it is 200-year-old hand-hewn barn beams from Montana, heart pine joists from a pre-war Southern factory, or old-growth redwood salvaged from Northern California water tanks, our sourcing team tracks down the material and brings it to Los Angeles.
- Species-specific searches across our network of 40+ salvage partners
- Age and provenance matching with documented chain of custody
- Large volume sourcing for commercial projects (10,000+ BF)
- Nationwide network spanning 12 western and southern states
- International sourcing available for exotic reclaimed tropical hardwoods
- Photo documentation of material before purchase for your approval
Bespoke Milling
Need non-standard dimensions, profiles, or finishes? Our on-site milling shop handles custom work from single feature pieces to production runs of thousands of board feet. Our Weinig 4-head moulder, 24" helical-head planer, 36" band saw resaw, and 36" wide-belt sander can produce virtually any dimension or profile you need from reclaimed or new stock.
- Any dimension up to 24" wide and 12" thick
- Custom profiles including T&G, shiplap, channel rustic, and bead board
- Surface treatments: wire brushing, hand distressing, skip planing
- Batch consistency guaranteed with per-piece inspection
- Custom cutter grinding to match existing molding profiles
- Tolerances to +/- 1/64" thickness and +/- 1/32" width
Project Packages
Working on a complete project? We create comprehensive lumber packages with all the materials you need, cut and prepared to your specifications. This is our most popular service for architects, general contractors, and interior designers who want a single point of responsibility for all the wood in a project. We handle material selection, milling, finishing, and delivery so you can focus on the build.
- Complete material lists developed from your plans and specifications
- Pre-cut and labeled pieces for efficient on-site installation
- Waste-minimized cut layouts to reduce cost and environmental impact
- Staged delivery options synchronized with your construction schedule
- Dedicated project manager assigned to orders over $5,000
- Change order flexibility throughout the project timeline
Finishing & Treatment
We offer a full range of finishing services so your material arrives ready to install. Our finishing room is climate-controlled for consistent results, and we use only zero-VOC and low-VOC products. Pre-finishing saves significant on-site labor and eliminates the mess and fumes of finishing in an occupied or under-construction space.
- Staining with zero-VOC penetrating stains in 40+ standard colors
- Custom color matching to Pantone, Benjamin Moore, or physical samples
- Penetrating oil finishes: tung oil, Danish oil, hardwax oil
- Water-based polyurethane in matte, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss
- Exterior-grade UV sealers for siding, decking, and outdoor furniture
- Bio-based wood preservative treatment for ground-contact applications
CNC & Precision Cutting
For projects requiring precision joinery, repeated patterns, or complex shapes, our CNC router handles work that would be impossible or prohibitively time-consuming by hand. From dovetail joints in reclaimed oak to intricate signage cut from salvaged walnut slabs, the CNC opens up design possibilities that traditional milling cannot match.
- 4x8 foot CNC router table with vacuum hold-down
- Precision joinery: dovetails, box joints, finger joints, mortise and tenon
- Custom signage and lettering cut from reclaimed wood slabs
- Repeated patterns and templates for production runs
- Inlay routing for contrasting wood species or epoxy fills
- CAD/CAM file preparation from your drawings or sketches
Reclamation Services
Have lumber on your property that you want salvaged and processed? Our reclamation crew comes to your site, carefully deconstructs and removes the material, transports it to our shop, and processes it to your specifications. This is a popular option for homeowners renovating historic properties who want to reuse their original lumber in the new design.
- On-site assessment and material inventory before deconstruction
- Careful removal to preserve maximum usable material
- Transport to our processing facility in covered trucks
- Full processing: denailing, milling, drying, and finishing
- Material yield report documenting what was recovered
- Option to sell surplus material back to us at fair market value
The Custom Order Process
From your first call to final delivery, here is exactly what to expect when you place a custom order with us.
Project Inquiry
Contact us by phone, email, or through our website form with your project details. Share any plans, specifications, mood board images, or material samples you have. The more information you provide upfront, the more accurately we can scope your project. There is no charge for initial consultations.
Needs Assessment
Our project coordinator reviews your requirements and schedules a detailed consultation. For large projects, we may visit your job site to understand the installation environment, measure spaces, and discuss logistics. For smaller projects, a phone or video consultation is usually sufficient.
Material Identification
Based on your needs, we identify the best material sources. This may come from our existing inventory, our network of salvage partners, or new certified sources. We prepare sample boards or photos for your approval before committing to material purchases. For custom sourcing, we may present multiple options at different price points.
Detailed Proposal
We prepare a written proposal detailing materials, processing specifications, finishing options, delivery schedule, and pricing. Proposals include itemized line items so you can see exactly what each component costs. We are happy to revise proposals to adjust scope, materials, or budget as needed.
Approval & Deposit
Once you approve the proposal, a 50% deposit secures your spot in our production schedule and initiates material procurement. For orders under $1,000, we require full payment upfront. Deposits are applied to the final invoice. We accept checks, credit cards, wire transfers, and ACH payments.
Processing & Production
Your materials enter our production queue. Processing includes denailing, metal detection, milling, sanding, profiling, and any finishing work specified in your order. Your project coordinator provides progress updates and photos at key milestones. Any issues or questions that arise during production are communicated immediately for your input.
Quality Control & Packaging
Finished materials undergo final inspection for dimensional accuracy, surface quality, finish consistency, and defect-free conformance to your specifications. Approved material is carefully stacked with protective slip sheets, banded, and wrapped for transport. Tongue-and-groove and profiled boards are nested to protect edges.
Delivery & Follow-Up
We deliver your order to the job site or your shop on our own trucks with lift-gate service. For large orders, we coordinate delivery timing with your construction schedule and can stage multiple deliveries as needed. After delivery, your project coordinator follows up to confirm everything meets your expectations and addresses any concerns.
Processing Equipment
Our investment in professional-grade equipment means we can handle virtually any custom processing request in house, with quality and precision that hobby-grade tools cannot match.
| Machine | Type | Capability |
|---|---|---|
| Weinig Powermat 700 | 4-Head Moulder | T&G, shiplap, S4S, custom profiles up to 12" wide |
| Powermatic 209 | Thickness Planer | Surface planing up to 24" wide with helical cutterhead |
| Wood-Mizer LT40 | Band Saw Resaw | Resawing thick timbers up to 24" wide and 12" tall |
| Timesaver 2300 | Wide-Belt Sander | Drum sanding up to 36" wide, dual heads, 60-220 grit |
| Powermatic PJ-882 | Jointer | Face and edge jointing up to 12" wide |
| Diehl SL-52 | Straight-Line Rip | Laser-guided ripping for straight edges and uniform widths |
| Northfield No. 4 | Table Saw | Precision ripping and crosscutting, 24" crosscut capacity |
| Industrial Shaper | Spindle Shaper | Custom edge profiles with 200+ cutter options and power feed |
| ShopBot PRSalpha | CNC Router | 4x8 table, precision joinery, signage, and pattern cutting |
| Nyle L200 | Dehumidification Kiln | Controlled drying to 6-8% MC, 3,000 BF capacity |
| CEIA Industrial | Metal Detector | Inline ferrous and non-ferrous detection, 24" x 12" opening |
| Graco FinishPro | HVLP Spray System | Professional finish application in climate-controlled booth |
Lead Times
Typical turnaround for common custom order types. Actual timing depends on current shop load and material availability.
Species Expertise
We have deep experience processing these species and can advise on the best approach for your specific application.
Reclaimed Softwoods
Old-Growth Douglas Fir
Tight vertical grain, high resin content. Our most commonly processed reclaimed species. Excellent for beams, flooring, and paneling.
Heart Pine (Longleaf)
Extremely dense old-growth. Requires carbide tooling and slow feed rates. Premium flooring and stair treads.
Old-Growth Redwood
Soft, lightweight, naturally decay resistant. Beautiful for siding, paneling, and outdoor furniture.
Western Red Cedar
Aromatic, naturally rot-resistant. Ideal for closet lining, fencing, and exterior applications.
Reclaimed Hardwoods
White Oak
Closed-pore, exceptionally stable. Premium choice for flooring, furniture, and barrel-aged whiskey staves.
Red Oak
Open-pore, takes stain beautifully. Common in reclaimed barn framing and industrial timbers.
American Chestnut
Extremely rare - nearly extinct due to blight. We occasionally source reclaimed chestnut from pre-1920 structures. Museum-quality material.
Black Walnut
Rich chocolate-brown heartwood. Prized for furniture, cabinetry, and live-edge slabs.
New Certified Species
FSC Douglas Fir
Structural framing, decking, and general construction. Kiln-dried and grade-stamped.
FSC Hard Maple
Dense, light-colored hardwood for cabinetry, flooring, and butcher block countertops.
FSC Cherry
Fine furniture and millwork. Darkens beautifully with age and light exposure.
FSC Ash
Strong and flexible. Excellent for tool handles, steam-bent components, and sports equipment.
Project Case Studies
See how our custom processing services have solved real challenges on projects across Los Angeles.
Boutique Hotel Lobby - Downtown Los Angeles
Scope
2,800 square feet of reclaimed white oak wall paneling with custom channel-rustic profile, plus 14 live-edge white oak tabletops for the lobby bar and lounge.
Challenge
The architect required uniform 8" wide boards with a specific weathered patina, but the reclaimed white oak we sourced came in random widths from 4" to 12" with varying levels of surface character. The tabletop slabs needed flattening and finishing to food-safe standards.
Our Solution
We resawed wider boards to produce consistent 8" stock, preserving the patina-rich face. Our moulder cut the channel-rustic profile while a custom sanding sequence blended the aged surface with the fresh-cut profile shoulders. Tabletop slabs were flattened on our CNC router, sanded to 220 grit, and finished with food-safe hardwax oil.
Result
Delivered 3,100 square feet of paneling (including 10% overage) and all 14 tabletops within the 4-week construction window. The hotel featured the reclaimed wood installation in their opening press materials and it has become a signature design element.
Historic Craftsman Restoration - Pasadena
Scope
Complete exterior siding replacement using reclaimed old-growth redwood milled to match the original 1918 bevel siding profile, plus custom window and door casings.
Challenge
The original siding had a non-standard bevel profile that did not match any off-the-shelf product. The city historic preservation review board required an exact profile match. The homeowner also wanted to use exclusively reclaimed material for authenticity.
Our Solution
We took profile samples from the original siding, had custom cutter knives ground to match, and sourced 4,000 board feet of reclaimed old-growth redwood from a water tank demolition in Northern California. Our moulder reproduced the exact bevel profile, and we pre-primed all material with a compatible primer.
Result
The restoration passed historic preservation review on first inspection. The reclaimed redwood proved to be significantly denser and more durable than any new-growth redwood available today. The homeowner estimates the siding will last another 80-100 years.
Restaurant Chain Expansion - Multiple LA Locations
Scope
Standardized reclaimed wood accent wall package for 6 new restaurant locations, each requiring approximately 400 square feet of reclaimed mixed-species shiplap in a consistent color palette.
Challenge
The client needed a consistent, repeatable look across all 6 locations using reclaimed wood, which is by nature inconsistent. Material had to be cost-effective for a chain restaurant budget while still reading as authentic reclaimed wood.
Our Solution
We developed a curated mix of reclaimed Douglas fir, pine, and oak, sorted into three color tones (light, medium, dark). Each wall package included pre-determined percentages of each tone for a consistent overall appearance. All material was milled to uniform nickel-gap shiplap, pre-finished with a water-based stain and sealer, and packaged with installation maps showing board placement.
Result
All 6 locations installed within a 3-month period. The pre-finished, pre-mapped packages reduced on-site installation time from 3 days to 1 day per location. The client has since ordered packages for 4 additional locations.
What Our Custom Order Clients Say
“We used LA Lumber for a complete project package on our Brentwood home remodel. They sourced reclaimed barn wood for the great room ceiling, milled it into tongue-and-groove planks, pre-finished it, and delivered it bundled and labeled by room. Our installer said it was the most organized material delivery he has ever received.”
“Finding enough American chestnut for our dining table project seemed impossible until we called LA Lumber. They located reclaimed chestnut beams from a barn demolition in Virginia, had them shipped to LA, and milled the slabs to our exact specs. The finished table is a genuine heirloom piece.”
“As a commercial interior designer, consistency and reliability are everything. LA Lumber has delivered custom-processed reclaimed wood for over a dozen of our restaurant and retail projects. They understand our brand standards and deliver material that meets them every time, project after project.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order size for custom processing?
There is no hard minimum, but our pricing structure includes setup fees that make very small orders relatively expensive per unit. For standard milling, we recommend at least 50 board feet. For custom sourcing, the economics generally work best at 200+ board feet. For project packages, we have successfully executed projects as small as $500 and as large as $150,000. We are happy to quote any size project and let you decide if the pricing works for your budget.
Can you work from architectural plans and specifications?
Absolutely - this is our specialty. Send us your drawings, specifications, material schedules, and finish selections, and we will prepare a comprehensive proposal covering all the wood components in your project. We regularly work with architects, interior designers, and general contractors who provide us with full plan sets. Our project coordinator can also attend jobsite meetings and design coordination calls as needed.
What if the material I need is not in your current inventory?
Custom sourcing is one of our core services. We maintain relationships with over 40 salvage operations, demolition contractors, and reclaimed wood dealers across the United States. If we do not have what you need in stock, our sourcing team begins a targeted search. Most domestic reclaimed species can be located within 1-2 weeks. Rare materials like American chestnut or old-growth teak may take longer. We always confirm availability and pricing before committing your order.
How do you handle changes to a custom order after production has started?
We understand that projects evolve. Minor changes to dimensions, quantities, or finish selections can usually be accommodated without delay or additional cost if caught early in production. Significant scope changes (different species, different profiles, or major quantity increases) may require additional lead time and cost adjustments. We document all changes in writing to avoid confusion and adjust the project timeline accordingly.
Do you offer samples before I commit to a large order?
Yes, and we strongly encourage it. For any custom order over $2,000, we prepare sample boards at no charge that show the actual species, profile, sanding, and finish you will receive. For smaller orders, sample preparation carries a nominal fee that is credited to your order if you proceed. Samples typically take 3-5 business days to prepare.
What warranty do you provide on custom processing work?
We guarantee that all custom-processed material will conform to the specifications in your approved proposal. If any material does not meet spec, we will replace it at no charge. Our dimensional accuracy guarantee is +/- 1/64" on thickness, +/- 1/32" on width, and +/- 1/32" on length. Finish quality is guaranteed for 30 days against peeling, cracking, or discoloration under normal conditions. We do not warranty material for defects inherent to reclaimed wood (character marks, nail holes, mineral staining) that were visible and approved in samples.
Can you handle rush orders?
Yes, rush processing is available for a 50% surcharge on the base milling and finishing cost. Rush orders move to the front of our production queue and are typically completed within 1-3 business days for standard milling operations. Rush custom sourcing depends on material availability and may not always be possible. Call us directly to discuss rush availability - we will give you an honest assessment of whether your timeline is achievable.
Do you ship custom orders outside of Los Angeles?
Yes. While our delivery trucks serve Greater Los Angeles (roughly within 50 miles of our yard), we can arrange palletized freight shipping anywhere in the continental United States. We have shipped custom-milled reclaimed lumber to projects in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Austin, New York, and many other cities. Freight costs depend on weight and destination. We handle all palletizing, wrapping, and carrier coordination.
Ready to Start Your Custom Order?
Tell us about your project and we'll put together a custom proposal with pricing, timeline, and options. No project is too small or too complex.