Where deck builders buy
Deck builders buy framing lumber, composite boards and hardware from a lumber yard that delivers to the site, and rent augers when footings call for them.
| Supplier | Type | What their own site says | Pro program |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84 Lumber | Distributor | Calls itself the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials, with more than 320 stores, door shops and millwork shops in 34 states. | Ask at the counter |
| Builders FirstSource | Distributor | Calls itself the nation's largest supplier of structural building products to pros for new construction and remodeling. | Ask at the counter |
| The Home Depot | Retailer | Calls itself the world's largest home improvement retailer, with more than 2,300 stores across North America. | Pro Xtra |
| Lowe's | Retailer | Runs MyLowe's Pro Rewards for small and mid-sized pros, with points from the first dollar spent. | MyLowe's Pro Rewards |
From each supplier's own site on the date in the sources; call your branch before you plan around it.
Your counter list
The items deck builders buy every week, from the van stock on our tools list. Ask each supplier for a price on these first; they decide which account saves you the most.
| Item | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Structural screws and ledger fasteners | What the inspector looks for |
| Joist hangers and post bases | Every frame uses them |
| Joist tape | Protecting the frame under composite decking |
| Deck screws in two colors | Matching the boards you install most |
| Concrete mix bags | Setting posts on smaller jobs |
| Saw blades for composite and wood | Clean cuts on both |
For the first order, price the starter kit too: framing hammer, 20 oz; cordless circular saw and a miter saw; cordless drill and impact driver; post hole digger or a rented auger; string line, line level and a framing square; 4 ft level and a post level; speed square and chalk line; ladder for ledger and second-story decks. Bigger purchases to price at a dealer or rental house: framing nailer and a joist hanger nailer; hidden fastener tool for composite boards; track saw or a rail for long rips; wood moisture meter; laser level.
Opening a trade account
Bring your business name, tax ID and license number, and a credit application if you want terms. The big-box programs are compared row by row on Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro. For the tools themselves, the deck tools list has prices read on the makers' own sites (Bon Tool, Little Giant, Delmhorst).
When supplier prices change
Update your deck price list the same week a supplier raises prices. In Koira, that price list is what your estimates are built from.
Sources
- 84 Lumber: About, checked October 9, 2026
- Builders FirstSource: About, checked October 9, 2026
- The Home Depot: About, checked October 9, 2026
- Lowe's: MyLowe's Pro Rewards announcement, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.