2021 introduced some heavy supply chain challenges, with many items not being able to get into customers' hands.

That problem also presented itself with many building supplies, both those used by small-scale carpenters and construction workers.

Garnet Ripplinger, the operations manager for Wood Country Building Services, says that lumber especially has seen dramatic rises and falls over the past year.

"The term yo-yo would probably be the best," said Ripplinger, "It started last spring, things kept climbing through the summer, and then pricing dropped through the end of fall and now they're creeping up a little bit again, but still, the biggest issue is the supply chains."

That issue in supply chains is best summed up by another building material, steel, and its lack of availability.

"Steel is an issue now, and when people think of steel, it involves a lot more things than people think," said Ripplinger, "For instance, garage doors, you can wait up to 20 weeks for a garage door. Companies are having trouble getting springs for garage doors, the supply of metal for sheeting, and everything that involves metal, prices are going up and supply is limited."

Ripplinger says he's pretty optimistic that 2022 will see those supply chains freed up, with products able to get into people's hands more easily.

"It seems to be looking good as we get supply chain issues corrected and everything. I think it's a time factor, and at the end of it all as long as people can afford things," said Ripplinger, "That's everything from groceries to lumber to vehicles to whatever, it's a process that we've all gotta go through."