LUMBER
New Orleans
Buying Program

We Buy Your Reclaimed & Used Lumber

Have quality lumber from a demolition, renovation, or surplus stockpile? We pay fair market prices for reusable wood and handle all the logistics.

Request a Free Quote

Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you within one business day.

What We Purchase

We Buy These Species & Products

We purchase a wide range of reclaimed and used lumber. If your wood is solid, reusable, and free of hazardous treatments, there's a good chance we want it.

Old-Growth Cypress

Louisiana virgin cypress is among the most prized reclaimed species. Naturally rot-resistant and incredibly durable, this wood commands premium value.

Heart Pine

Dense, resinous longleaf pine from pre-1900 structures. The tight grain and warm amber color make heart pine one of the most sought-after reclaimed species.

Oak & Hardwoods

White oak, red oak, pecan, ash, and other hardwoods salvaged from historic buildings, barns, and warehouses across the South.

Structural Beams & Timbers

Large-dimension lumber from commercial buildings, warehouses, and industrial structures. Beams 6x6 and larger are always in high demand.

Dimensional Lumber

Standard framing lumber (2x4 through 2x12) in reusable condition. We accept both softwood and hardwood dimensional stock.

Flooring & Siding

Tongue-and-groove flooring, shiplap, clapboard siding, and bead board. These architectural elements carry significant salvage value.

The Process

How Selling to Us Works

Five simple steps from first contact to payment in your pocket.

1

Contact Us with Details

Call us or fill out our online form. Tell us what species you have, approximate dimensions and quantity, where the wood is located, and the condition. Photos are extremely helpful.

2

We Evaluate Your Lumber

Our team reviews your information and, for larger lots, schedules an on-site inspection. We assess species, grade, condition, quantity, and accessibility to provide an accurate quote.

3

Receive a Fair Offer

We present a transparent, no-obligation offer based on current market rates. Our pricing is straightforward — we explain exactly how we arrived at the number.

4

We Handle Pickup

Accept our offer and we schedule a convenient pickup time. Our crew arrives with the right equipment, loads the lumber carefully, and leaves your site clean.

5

Get Paid

Payment is issued on pickup for most transactions. For large commercial lots, we can arrange net-15 terms. We pay by check, ACH, or cash — your choice.

Pricing

What Determines Your Price

We base our offers on several factors. Understanding these helps you know what to expect and how to maximize the value of your lumber.

Species

Old-growth cypress and heart pine command the highest prices. Common pine, poplar, and softer hardwoods are valued lower but still purchased.

Condition

Clean, straight lumber with minimal damage and no rot earns top dollar. We accept wood with some nail holes and surface wear — it is reclaimed, after all.

Dimensions

Larger dimensions (4x4 and above) and longer lengths (8 feet and above) are worth more per board foot. Wide planks are particularly valuable.

Quantity

Larger lots are more cost-effective for us to process, so we can offer better per-board-foot pricing on bulk quantities of 500 BF or more.

Accessibility

Easy access to the lumber (ground level, forklift-accessible) means lower pickup costs, which translates to a better offer for you.

Market Demand

Pricing fluctuates with market conditions. Heart pine flooring and cypress beams are consistently in high demand and hold strong value.

Important

What We Cannot Accept

For safety and quality reasons, we cannot purchase the following materials. If you're unsure whether your lumber qualifies, just ask — we're happy to help.

  • Pressure-treated lumber (CCA, ACQ, or other chemical treatments)
  • Wood with active termite or powder post beetle infestation
  • Lumber with extensive rot or structural failure
  • Painted wood containing lead paint (pre-1978 paint unless tested)
  • Engineered wood products (plywood, OSB, MDF, particle board)
  • Creosote-treated railroad ties or utility poles
  • Wood contaminated with hazardous materials or chemicals
Recent Purchases

Recent Acquisitions

Here is a sample of what we have recently purchased from sellers across the Gulf South. These examples illustrate the range of lumber we buy and the quantities involved.

Warehouse Demolition Cypress

~12,000 BF|Warehouse District, New Orleans

Old-growth bald cypress beams and dimensional lumber salvaged from an 1890s cotton warehouse slated for redevelopment. Beams measured up to 10x14 and 24 feet long, with tight growth rings indicating 200+ year-old trees at the time of original harvest.

Church Renovation Heart Pine

~6,500 BF|Uptown New Orleans

Longleaf heart pine flooring and tongue-and-groove ceiling boards removed during the renovation of a 1920s Baptist church. The flooring had exceptional grain density at 12-16 growth rings per inch with a warm amber patina developed over a century of use.

Plantation Barn Oak Timbers

~8,200 BF|St. James Parish, LA

Massive white oak and red oak timbers from a pre-Civil War sugar plantation barn. Hand-hewn beams with visible adze marks, some measuring 12x12 at over 20 feet. These timbers are in exceptional structural condition with minimal insect damage.

Shotgun House Mixed Lot

~3,400 BF|Bywater, New Orleans

Mixed species lot from the careful deconstruction of a double-shotgun house, including heart pine studs, cypress siding, and bead board paneling. The cypress siding showed the distinctive silver-gray weathering prized by interior designers.

Industrial Facility Framing

~15,000 BF|Gretna, LA

Southern yellow pine framing lumber and heavy timbers from a decommissioned industrial building on the West Bank. Included 2x10 and 2x12 joists in lengths up to 16 feet, plus 6x8 load-bearing timbers with minimal checking.

Common Questions

Seller FAQ

Answers to the questions we hear most often from people considering selling lumber to us.

How do I know what species of wood I have?

If you are unsure, send us photos showing the end grain, face grain, and overall board. Our team can typically identify species from clear photographs. For on-site evaluations, we bring a moisture meter, a hand lens, and decades of identification experience. Common misidentifications we correct include confusing cypress with cedar, or southern yellow pine with longleaf heart pine — the distinction matters significantly for valuation.

What is the minimum quantity you will purchase?

We have no strict minimum for high-value species like old-growth cypress, heart pine, or white oak. For common dimensional lumber (standard pine, mixed hardwoods), we generally need at least 200 board feet to justify pickup logistics. If you have a smaller quantity of common wood, we recommend combining it with a neighbor or bringing it to our yard directly.

Do you pay for the lumber before you pick it up?

Payment is issued at the time of pickup for most residential and small commercial transactions. Our crew inspects the lumber on-site, confirms the quantity and condition match the original quote, and issues payment via check or cash immediately. For large commercial lots exceeding $5,000, we offer net-15 payment terms with a signed purchase agreement.

Will you remove lumber that is still installed in a structure?

Yes. Our deconstruction team is experienced in carefully removing flooring, siding, beams, and framing from standing structures. The extraction cost is factored into our offer. For complex removals that require structural shoring or phased deconstruction, we provide a separate deconstruction proposal with detailed scope and timeline.

My lumber has old paint on it. Will you still buy it?

It depends on the paint era and underlying wood quality. We accept lumber with paint that tests negative for lead (generally post-1978 paint). For pre-1978 painted wood, we require a lead test before purchase. If the underlying wood is high-value species like cypress or heart pine, the paint removal cost is usually justified. We can recommend certified lead testing services in the area.

How quickly can you pick up after I accept the offer?

For metro New Orleans, we typically schedule pickup within 3-5 business days of offer acceptance. If your project has a tight demolition timeline, let us know upfront — we can often arrange expedited pickup within 24-48 hours. Regional pickups outside the metro area are scheduled weekly along our standard routes.

Can I get a quote from photos alone, or do you need to visit?

For lots under 1,000 board feet, we can usually provide an accurate quote from detailed photos and measurements. We need clear images of the end grain, face grain, and any defects, along with approximate dimensions and quantities. For lots over 1,000 BF, or when species identification is uncertain, we schedule a free on-site evaluation to ensure accuracy.

What if my lumber has some nails or hardware still in it?

Nails and hardware are expected with reclaimed lumber — we factor de-nailing into our process. Your lumber does not need to be de-nailed before we purchase it. However, lumber that has been partially de-nailed or cleaned will receive a slightly higher offer since it reduces our processing time. Large embedded hardware (bolts, lag screws, metal plates) should be disclosed upfront as they affect our assessment.

Do you provide a receipt or documentation for tax purposes?

Yes. Every purchase transaction includes a detailed receipt listing species, dimensions, quantity (in board feet), and the price paid. For donated materials, we provide fair market value documentation that may support charitable tax deductions — consult your tax advisor for specific guidance on deductibility.

Valuation Guide

What Affects Your Quote

Understanding how we value reclaimed lumber helps you maximize the return on your materials. Here is a detailed breakdown of the factors that determine your price.

Factor
Impact on Price
Details
Species Rarity
Very High
Old-growth bald cypress and longleaf heart pine are the most valuable reclaimed species in the Gulf South, typically commanding $4-12 per board foot. White oak and pecan fall in the mid-range at $2-6/BF. Common southern yellow pine and poplar bring $0.50-2/BF depending on grade and dimensions.
Grain Density
High
Growth ring count is a primary indicator of wood quality and age. Heart pine with 12+ rings per inch indicates old-growth timber that grew slowly over centuries. These dense-grained boards are harder, more stable, and dramatically more valuable than fast-grown lumber with 3-4 rings per inch.
Board Dimensions
High
Wide planks (10 inches and above) and long lengths (12 feet and above) command a premium because they are increasingly rare and difficult to source. Heavy timbers (6x6 and larger) are valued for their architectural impact in exposed beam applications.
Structural Integrity
High
Boards must be structurally sound — no active rot, no insect infestation, no critical splits or checks. Surface weathering, nail holes, and minor cosmetic imperfections are expected and do not significantly reduce value. We check moisture content and test for hidden decay.
Volume & Consistency
Moderate
Larger lots of consistent species and dimensions are more efficient for us to process and market. A lot of 5,000 BF of matching heart pine flooring will receive a better per-board-foot offer than 5,000 BF of mixed species and random dimensions.
Provenance & History
Moderate
Lumber with documented origin — the specific building, the construction era, the architectural style — carries additional value for buyers who want to tell the story of their materials. If you know the history of your wood, share it with us.
Accessibility & Location
Moderate
Ground-level lumber accessible by forklift costs us less to pick up, so we can offer a higher price. Upper-floor removal, tight alley access, or remote rural locations increase our extraction costs, which reduces the net offer. Metro New Orleans locations receive the best pickup economics.
Surface Condition
Low-Moderate
Clean, unpainted wood with natural patina is ideal. Painted wood (post-1978) is acceptable but requires additional processing. Heavy surface contamination (concrete splatter, tar, adhesive residue) reduces value due to planing losses and extra labor.

Have Lumber to Sell?

Get a free, no-obligation quote today. Send us photos and dimensions and we'll respond within one business day with a fair offer.