by Mark Gillman, Fabrication Specialist
Two weeks ago I went to pull square tube from my stock for a job. I had some. Not much. I stood there looking at my rack thinking about the three other jobs I had lined up that needed the same material.
That's not normal for me. I keep stock. I've always kept stock. In thirty years of doing this work, running low on basic material has never been something I had to think about—until lately.
What's Actually Going On
The short version: diesel prices in California spiked, and it's rippling through our supply chain here in Utah in ways most people don't think about.
Almost everything we use—steel tube, flat bar, sheet, angle iron—comes through West Coast distribution hubs. When it costs significantly more to run a semi truck from the port to the warehouse, and then another truck from the warehouse to Utah, suppliers do a few things. They raise prices. They consolidate shipments. And the orders that aren't profitable enough to prioritize? They just... wait.
So we're seeing two problems at once: materials that cost more than they did six months ago, and materials that take longer to arrive.
What This Means for Your Project
If you're planning a fence, a railing, a gate—anything fabricated from steel—here's what I'd tell you right now:
Don't wait until you're ready to start to call. Get your quote early. Get on someone's schedule early. Because the 2-3 week lead time I used to give people has stretched to 5-6 weeks on some materials, and I'm not willing to promise you a date I can't keep.
I had a homeowner last month who'd been putting off calling me for a deck railing for two years. Finally decided to do it, wanted it done before a family reunion in six weeks. I had to have an honest conversation with him. Six weeks might work, or it might not—depends entirely on what's sitting in my supplier's yard when I call them.
He appreciated the honesty. We got it done, barely. But it was tight.
On Pricing: I'll Be Straight With You
My material costs are up. Not dramatically, but noticeably. I've absorbed some of that because I don't want to reprice every quote every week. But when I give you a quote right now, I'm building in what I'm actually paying for steel—not what I was paying in 2023.
If you get a quote from someone that seems significantly lower than mine, ask them when they're sourcing the material. Some contractors quote based on old pricing and then come back with a change order after they've ordered. That's not a good situation for anyone.
I'd rather tell you the real number upfront.
What I'm Doing About It
Honestly, not a lot I can do about diesel prices or California port logistics. What I can do is keep better inventory on the materials I use most—which I'm doing. I've been ordering ahead on my standard tube sizes, the stuff that goes into most residential handrails and fence panels.
That helps me buffer some of this. Not all of it.
I've also gotten pickier about timelines. If I tell you three weeks, I mean three weeks. I'm not going to commit to a date I have to chase material to hit.
If You've Got a Project Coming Up
Call sooner rather than later. Even if you're not ready to pull the trigger, a conversation about what you need and when you need it takes twenty minutes and could save you a lot of stress in June or July when everyone in Utah County is trying to get outdoor projects done at the same time.
The shortage will ease. It always does. But right now, a little planning ahead goes a long way.
Most people don't think about shower grab bars until someone slips. Here's a no-drill solution I've been testing in three Utah County homes—and why I think it might change how we handle bathroom safety.
Read moreSix months ago, I made the decision to run this business solo. No employees, no crew, just me. Here's what that actually looks like—and why it's harder than building anything out of steel.
Read more