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Overview
The Northeast's Most Trusted Reclaimed Lumber Marketplace
Boston Lumber operates as both buyer and seller of reclaimed lumber, creating a single point of contact for anyone involved in the salvaged wood supply chain. Based at 37 Linden St, Medford, MA 02155, our operation connects demolition contractors, renovation teams, and property owners who have reclaimed material to move with contractors, architects, designers, furniture makers, and homeowners who need quality salvaged wood for their projects.
Unlike broker operations that simply connect buyers and sellers, we take physical possession of every board. We inspect it, grade it, process it, store it in our facility, and stand behind its quality when it ships. That hands-on approach means you get consistent, reliable material regardless of where it was originally salvaged. It also means sellers get fair, market-based offers without the uncertainty of trying to find retail buyers on their own.
We have been building relationships with salvage sources and buyers across New England for years, and that network gives us access to material that most companies simply cannot find. From common species like eastern white pine and red oak to rare old-growth American chestnut and virgin cypress, our sourcing capability is one of the deepest in the region.
Board Feet in Inventory
Salvage Sites Per Year
Species Available
Quote Response Time
For Buyers
Complete Buyer's Guide: 10 Steps to Your Order
Buying reclaimed lumber is different from ordering new material from a big-box store. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process, from initial inquiry to material delivery, so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.
Define Your Project Requirements
Before contacting us, gather key details: What is the application (flooring, wall paneling, beams, furniture)? What species do you prefer? What dimensions do you need? How many board feet (or square feet for flooring)? What is your project timeline? Having these answers ready accelerates the quoting process significantly.
Submit a Quote Request
Email us at info@boston-lumber.com or use the quote form on our website. Include your project details, any species or character preferences, and your delivery address. If you are flexible on species or dimensions, let us know — we may be able to suggest alternatives that save money without sacrificing quality.
Receive Your Detailed Quote
Within 24 hours, you will receive a line-item quote showing material costs, processing fees (if applicable), and delivery charges. The quote includes species, grade, dimensions, board footage, price per board foot, and total cost. We also note any available alternatives at different price points.
Review Photos & Samples
For character-critical projects, we can send photos of available inventory showing grain, color, and surface character. We also offer sample boards shipped to your location so you can evaluate the material in person before committing to a full order.
Visit Our Yard (Optional)
Many buyers, especially furniture makers and designers, prefer to visit our facility at 37 Linden St, Medford, MA 02155 to hand-select individual boards. Our yard is open Monday through Friday 7am-4pm, and Saturdays by appointment. Our team will help you sort through inventory and identify the best pieces for your project.
Confirm Your Order & Deposit
Once you approve the quote, confirm your order by email or in person. Standard orders require payment upon completion. Large custom orders and orders over 5,000 BF require a 50% deposit at confirmation, with the balance due before delivery or pickup.
Processing & Preparation
If your order requires processing — planing, kiln drying, resawing, custom dimensioning, or tongue-and-groove milling — our facility handles it in-house. Standard processing takes 5-7 business days. Rush processing (2-3 business days) is available for an additional fee.
Quality Control & Final Inspection
Before shipping, every order goes through a final quality check. We verify species, grade, dimensions, moisture content, and surface quality against your order specifications. Boards that do not meet spec are pulled and replaced from inventory.
Delivery or Pickup
We load your order onto the appropriate vehicle from our fleet — flatbed for large orders, box truck for finished material, or pickup-and-trailer for small local runs. We provide a delivery window and call ahead when we are en route. Alternatively, you can arrange pickup from our yard at no charge.
Post-Delivery Support
Our relationship does not end at delivery. If you need installation advice, additional material, or have questions about finishing and maintenance, our team is available. We also keep records of your order specifications so future reorders are seamless.
Available Inventory
What You Can Buy
Our yard typically holds 200,000+ board feet of graded, processed reclaimed lumber across dozens of species and dimensions. Every piece has been de-nailed, metal-scanned, species-identified, and graded by our expert team. You know exactly what you are getting before you commit.
Barn Boards & Siding
Weathered barn boards with authentic patina. Available in various widths from 4 to 12 inches. Ideal for accent walls, ceiling treatments, and exterior cladding projects.
Structural Beams & Timbers
Hand-hewn and sawn beams from historic barns, factories, and warehouses. Sizes range from 6x6 to 12x12 and larger. Perfect for exposed beam installations and mantels.
Dimensional Lumber
Standard and non-standard dimensional stock in a wide range of species. Available rough-sawn or surfaced to your specifications. Suitable for framing, millwork, and general construction.
Reclaimed Flooring
Tongue-and-groove flooring milled from reclaimed hardwoods. Species include heart pine, oak, chestnut, and more. Available in standard 3/4-inch thickness and custom profiles.
Specialty Old-Growth Species
American chestnut, heart pine, virgin cypress, wormy chestnut, and other species that are no longer commercially harvested. Perfect for high-end residential and restoration work.
Decking & Outdoor Material
Rot-resistant species suitable for exterior applications including decking, pergolas, and outdoor furniture. White oak, cypress, and cedar in appropriate dimensions.
Order Minimums
Minimum Order Quantities
Reclaimed lumber requires significant handling, grading, and processing before it is ready to sell. To make that investment viable for both us and you, we maintain minimum order quantities based on material category. These minimums ensure that every order we fulfill meets our quality standards and is economically sensible to produce.
For specialty or rare species, minimums are lower because we understand that finding any quantity of American chestnut or virgin cypress is a win. For common dimensional stock where we carry deep inventory, the minimums are slightly higher to justify the picking, grading, and staging effort.
If your project falls below these minimums, contact us anyway. We sometimes have short lots, end-of-run material, or odd dimensions that we can sell in smaller quantities. We would rather find it a good home than let it sit.
Minimum Order Quantities
Standard Dimensional Lumber
Mixed species accepted
Beams & Timbers
6x6 and larger
Flooring (T&G)
Must be restorable condition
Barn Boards & Siding
Consistent width preferred
Specialty / Rare Species
American chestnut, wormy chestnut, etc.
Custom Milled Orders
Subject to processing capacity
Decking Material
Rot-resistant species
Mixed Character Lots
Assorted species and dimensions
Evaluation Process
How We Evaluate Your Material
When our grading specialist arrives at your site, they evaluate the material across several criteria. Understanding these factors helps you set realistic expectations and prepare your material for the best possible offer.
Species Identification
Different species have vastly different market values. Old-growth heart pine and American chestnut command premium prices, while common pine and mixed softwoods trade at lower rates. Our specialists can identify species on sight and confirm with grain and density analysis.
Structural Integrity
We assess each board for structural soundness — checking for cracks, splits, wane, and internal decay. Structurally sound boards with tight grain are worth significantly more than cosmetic-only material. Load-bearing timbers receive additional structural evaluation.
Moisture Content
We measure moisture content with pin and pinless meters. Material that is already air-dried (under 19% MC) is more valuable because it requires less kiln time. Green or high-moisture material is still purchased, but the offer reflects the additional drying cost.
Metal Content
The amount of embedded metal — nails, screws, staples, hardware — directly affects processing cost. Material with heavy nail loads, especially concrete nails or industrial fasteners, requires more labor to de-nail and increases the risk of blade damage during processing.
Usable Yield
Not every board in a lot is usable. We estimate the percentage of material that will survive de-nailing, grading, and processing into sellable product. A lot with 90% usable yield receives a much stronger offer than one with 50% yield.
Dimensions & Volume
Wider, longer boards are generally more valuable than narrow, short pieces. We measure representative samples and calculate total board footage. Consistent dimensions within a lot also increase value because they require less custom processing.
Pricing
Pricing Methodology & Volume Discounts
We do not publish fixed price lists because no two lots of reclaimed material are identical. Instead, we provide detailed, line-item quotes based on transparent pricing methodology. Here is how prices are determined for both buyers and sellers.
Buyer Pricing Factors
Species
Premium species (chestnut, heart pine) cost 3-5x more than common pine
Grade
Select grade commands 30-50% premium over standard/rustic grades
Dimensions
Wider and longer boards carry a per-BF premium due to limited availability
Processing Level
Full processing (de-nail, dry, plane, dimension) adds $2.50-4.00/BF
Volume
Orders over 5,000 BF receive 5-15% volume discount
Market Conditions
Seasonal demand and supply fluctuations affect pricing quarterly
Seller Offer Factors
Species Value
High-value species receive proportionally higher offers
Usable Yield
Lots with high usable yield (80%+) receive stronger per-BF offers
Condition
Air-dried, clean, de-nailed material is worth more than raw salvage
Quantity
Larger lots (1,000+ BF) receive better per-BF rates due to efficiency
Location
Pickup distance affects offer — local lots receive slightly better rates
Accessibility
Easy-access sites (ground level, forklift-friendly) improve the offer
Volume Discount Tiers (Buyers)
| Order Size | Material Discount | Processing Discount | Delivery | Payment Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 BF | Standard pricing | Standard pricing | Quoted separately | Due on completion |
| 1,000 - 4,999 BF | 3% discount | Standard pricing | Quoted separately | Due on completion |
| 5,000 - 9,999 BF | 7% discount | 5% discount | Free local (under 25 mi) | Net-15 available |
| 10,000 - 24,999 BF | 10% discount | 8% discount | Free regional (under 75 mi) | Net-30 available |
| 25,000+ BF | 12-15% discount | 10% discount | Free statewide | Net-30 available |
Payment & Terms
Payment Terms, Methods & Consignment Options
We offer flexible payment options to accommodate different buyer types and order sizes. From immediate payment for small orders to net-30 terms for established commercial accounts, we structure terms that work for your business.
For sellers with high-value material who prefer not to sell outright, we also offer a consignment arrangement. Under consignment, your material is stored, processed, and marketed through our facility and sales channels. When it sells, you receive an agreed-upon percentage of the sale price. Consignment is ideal for sellers with specialty or rare species who want to maximize value but do not have the retail sales infrastructure.
Accepted Payment Methods
Credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex), business checks, ACH/EFT transfers, wire transfers
Standard Terms
Payment due upon completion for orders under 5,000 BF. 50% deposit + balance before delivery for larger orders.
Commercial Credit Terms
Net-15 or Net-30 available for established commercial accounts with approved credit application.
Consignment Terms
70/30 split (seller/Boston Lumber). 90-day initial consignment period. Storage and processing fees waived.
Market Insights
Seasonal Trends & Market Conditions
The reclaimed lumber market follows seasonal patterns that affect both pricing and availability. Understanding these trends can help you time your purchases and sales for the best value.
Spring (March - May)
Highest demand periodConstruction season kicks off, driving up demand for structural and dimensional stock. Prices tend to be at their peak. Order early to lock in pricing and ensure availability.
Summer (June - August)
Strong demand, steady supplyActive demolition and renovation season increases salvage supply, but demand remains high. Good time to sell material as we are actively building inventory.
Fall (September - November)
Moderate demandConstruction projects are wrapping up. Good time to buy at slightly lower prices, especially for spring project planning. Interior projects drive demand for flooring and paneling.
Winter (December - February)
Lowest demand, best buyingSlower construction season means more inventory availability and sometimes lower pricing. Excellent time for long-lead-time orders and specialty sourcing.
What Our Clients Say
Testimonials
“We have been sourcing reclaimed oak and pine from Boston Lumber for three years now. Their inventory depth means we rarely have to look elsewhere, and when they do not have something in stock, they source it within a week. The grading is consistent, the pricing is fair, and the delivery is always on time.”
James Harrington
Owner, Harrington Woodworks, Somerville, MA
“I sold the timber from my grandfather's barn through Boston Lumber. They came out to Vermont, evaluated everything, gave me a fair price, and handled all the transport. The whole process took less than two weeks from first call to check in hand. I would recommend them to anyone in a similar situation.”
Linda Eastman
Property Owner, Brattleboro, VT
“As an architect, I need a lumber supplier who understands design intent, not just board footage. The Boston Lumber team helped me spec the right species and grade for a boutique hotel lobby, provided samples before I committed, and delivered exactly what we discussed. That level of service is rare.”
Roberto Vega
Principal, Vega Design Studio, Boston, MA
“We bought 6,000 board feet of reclaimed heart pine for a residential flooring project in Newton. The material was beautiful — tight grain, rich color, and perfectly milled. The volume discount made the pricing competitive with new premium hardwood, but the character is incomparable.”
Karen Doyle
Project Manager, Doyle Contracting, Newton, MA
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions we hear from both buyers and sellers. If your question is not listed here, email us at info@boston-lumber.com.
How quickly do I get a quote?
Standard quotes are returned within one business day. Large or complex orders may take 2-3 days to evaluate inventory and processing requirements. Rush quotes are available on request.
Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes. Orders above 1,000 BF receive a 3% discount, above 5,000 BF receive 7% plus free local delivery, and above 10,000 BF receive 10% plus processing discounts.
Can I visit and pick material myself?
Absolutely. Our yard at 37 Linden St, Medford, MA is open Monday–Friday 7am–4pm and Saturdays by appointment for hand-selection of character-critical boards.
What payment terms do you offer?
We accept credit cards, checks, ACH, and wires. Standard payment is due upon completion; Net-15 and Net-30 terms are available for approved commercial accounts.
How do you determine the price when buying my lumber?
Offers consider species value, structural grade, usable yield, condition, quantity, pickup location, and market conditions. We provide a transparent breakdown with every offer.
What is the minimum amount you will buy from me?
For common species we prefer lots of 500+ board feet; for specialty species like American chestnut we consider lots as small as 100 board feet.
How long does it take to get paid after selling?
For material graded at our facility, payment is issued within 5-7 business days of final grading. Pre-graded on-site lots can be paid same-day for local pickups.
Can I sell you just a few boards?
Very small quantities may not justify pickup, but you can deliver small lots to our yard during business hours for on-the-spot evaluation and an offer.
Do you buy material from outside New England?
Yes. We regularly purchase material across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. For large lots (5,000+ BF) we evaluate opportunities throughout the eastern United States.
Can I get my reclaimed lumber certified for green building?
Yes. We provide chain-of-custody documentation, salvage origin records, and environmental impact data to support LEED MR credits and sustainability reporting.
Related Services
Pair With Our Other Services
Most buyers combine their lumber purchase with one or more of our other services for a seamless, end-to-end experience.
Ready to Buy or Sell?
Whether you have lumber to move or a project to supply, we make it easy. Email us at info@boston-lumber.com or visit our facility at 37 Linden St, Medford, MA 02155.