There are many different variations in the quality of the wood that you will receive from the lumberyard to use for your home remodeling project. If it is a large house renovation and you are being your own contractor, you will likely have an account set up with the lumber company, and they will deliver the wood to the home being remodeled. [I have found that my carpenter will give me a take-off (an estimate of the amount of wood required), and it is up to me to order it.]

It is important for you and/or your carpenter to inspect this and any lumber or wood that you are buying for your home remodeling job. Look for excessive visual defects such as too many knots, areas where the wood is black and disintegrating, boards that aren't straight, etc. Of course, no piece or wood, or batch of wood is going to be perfect, so you'll have to use your judgment. (If a piece of wood looks like it's going to have trouble supporting a lot of weight, then I will not use it.)

If you are unsatisfied with the wood that has been delivered to your home remodeling job, you should not hesitate to ask the delivery serviceman to take the lumber back and bring a new stack for your carpenter. Don't settle for bad wood.

Former builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University