Record-high lumber prices aren't stopping some homeowners, businesses from building an outside oasis

The spike in lumber prices isn't stopping some homeowners and businesses in Windsor, Ont., from building that new patio or deck to soak up the sun this summer. 

"In 21 years, I've never seen such a demand for backyard design, especially the custom stuff we do," said Gordon Raymond, owner of Wood Deckers. "A lot of people are spending more time at home enjoying their backyards," . 

A pandemic-fuelled shortage of lumber has, in some cases, tripled the cost for consumers this year. 

Raymond said the price of the wood he uses has increased by about 70 per cent since 2020, so a project that usually costs between $8,000 and $10,000 would be $2,000 to $3,000 more this year. 

"We try to help our customers out so we take a bit of a hit on that. We'll do what we can." 

Café owner hopes for outdoor sittings soon

Cafe March 21 in downtown Windsor is still waiting for its approval to put in a parklet in front of its establishment, hopefully before provincial pandemic restrictions change to again allow outdoor dining. Last week, Ontario introduced a three-phase plan to slowly open things up, based on vaccination and COVID-19 case rates.

"My family got all vaccinated and a lot of people in Windsor are getting vaccinated, so I think we are looking good," said café owner Henry Kim . 

Hopefully, sometime in June, "we'll be able to have some outdoor sittings." 

Kim is uncertain how much more it will cost to build the parklet this year compared to last, but he knows it will be more. He said the Downtown Business Improvement Association is covering 25 per cent of the cost.

The fact that the café's lunch hour has been busy and the eatery is in the area of the downtown farmers' market has made him optimistic the parklet will pay for itself in a matter of a few months.

"The farmers' market this year has been really successful. It has been at least double the number of people we get than last year, so just the Saturday itself is worth it," he said.

"I think its going to pay off the cost"