Lumber prices hit record levels putting a strain on homebuilders and consumers NAHB: Lumber prices up 250% since last spring Lingering supply chain issues combined with a red hot housing market has made the price of lumber skyrocket. Those costs are impacting homebuilders and are ultimately being passed on to consumers. and last updated 2021-05-04 08:42:30-04 COLORADO SPRINGS â Lingering supply chain issues combined with a red hot housing market has made the price of lumber skyrocket. Those costs are impacting homebuilders and are ultimately being passed on to consumers. Lockdowns last year took a toll on the lumber industry including sawmills that didn't operate for months. Suppliers didn't have time to build up their stocks during the winter as they normally would. It drove prices up.