Steel prices dropping

[Rob Tucker]

I'm getting word from my suppliers that the price of steel is dropping.

While this can be taken as good news for local building purposes it is also a sign of the world economics in decline as demand drops.

[gtill]

It seems China is seeing the downturn worse than us, they're rioting in the streets. Even with cheap oil, if your markets no longer buy, you're stuck. Russia and the mideast are still relatively fat, but that oil ain't worth squat in the ground.

The world might jealously hate us, but we are the economic engine that makes or breaks the world.

[Charles Moore]

May I be so bold as to ask where you are getting the best prices for steel? Especially rebar, welded wire, chicken wire, and expanded metal lath. Another forum member on another website reports one of the local (Big Island) concrete materials suppliers doubling their prices since being bought out by the Saudi/Bush juggernaut known as the Carlyle Group.

He says:

"They are selling a sheet of riblath for $14.45!!!!! I'm now bringing the same rib lath in from So. Cal. for $4.30 each (plus $1.14 for shipping to Hawaii)."

[Rob Tucker]

I've been getting my steel from the west coast. Honolulu is too expensive.

[Hotzcatz]

Would a steel buying co-op help lower your prices? We have a group who buys food that way to save on shipping costs.

"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales." Kurt Wilson

[Guest]

Historically steel has been about the same cost per pound as potatoes.

It has tripled here but so has potatoes.

I just bought 3 20' 1/8th X 1" flat bar for 7 bucks each.

here is an interesting article:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsb...ssion.html

[StillHope]

Rob,does it include roofing material?
My builder says it's the same $4.35 per ft as in June.

[Rob Tucker]

In general all steel items are lowering in cost. Local inventories may have been purchased months ago and are not showing decreases yet.

Punaweb moderator

[StillHope]

Thanks,Rob.