COVID-19 has led to a surge in small, household maintenance and construction projects, but it has also made it more difficult to source materials for these same projects.

“Whether because of the collapse of the tourism industry or not traveling, people are more active doing projects around the house, so we’ve been pretty busy supplying material for small projects—new decks, painting,” Lutak Lumber owner Chip Lende said.

However, it’s been difficult for Lende to keep up with demand for the materials needed for these projects due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.

“We’ve been out of stuff a lot this year. I put in an order for hardware and only 70% gets filled,” Lende said. “I can no longer assume I can buy from anyone at any time.”

Instead, Lende said he spends a good portion of his time searching for products and ordering them when he can. He said he’s run into supply issues with most manufactured products.

“There was a factory shutdown in the spring. Things have started to back up because demand has outstretched the supply,” Lende said. “I’m having trouble getting wood, especially treated wood.”

Haines Home Building Supply owner Glenda Gilbert has observed a similar trend. Like Lende, Gilbert has seen a boom in small projects like home exterior improvements and gardening this summer. Supply chain difficulties have created a backlog of orders.

“I normally have all my backorders in my head, but I don’t now,” Gilbert said. “We have ten times as many backorders as usual.”

Miles Furniture owner Scott Bradford has had the same experience when it comes to the appliances he sells. Customers are waiting on mattresses, freezers, washers and dryers.

“We’re unable to order any freezers until November, and we won’t be able to get washing machines until January,” Bradford said.

Like Haines, many other communities are experiencing supply chain difficulties. Media outlets across the country have reported that builders and suppliers are having trouble finding lumber products.

“We’ve gotten phone calls from all over Alaska from people looking for freezers,” Bradford said. “No one has any.”

The lack of these appliances, particularly those related to food storage, could create problems down the line, especially this winter.

“You’re out catching fish and you want to put it in a freezer as part of your food security plan, but you can’t,” Bradford said. “I think it’s going to be a long, slow winter.”

Aside from waiting patiently for a product to become available, there’s little that can be done to circumvent the supply issues, Bradford said.

Although, in some cases, the supply chain difficulties have led to increased collaboration and creativity in sourcing supplies locally.

“I’ve seen people reaching out to other people and saying, ‘Hey, do you have any of these new or used?’” Gilbert said. “I’ve had to buy a different brand that I don’t normally stock just to have (a given tool) in stock… People are working together and filling the needs, and that’s great.”