Alderfer Lumber & Live Edge Slabs

A bit over a month ago I had been looking for some S4S lumber and emailed the company. Andrew got back to me quickly with answers to my questions. Decided to take the 2.5 hour drive there and see how it was. My first time at a hardwood lumber place so I didn't know what to expect. Shortly after I arrived I found someone to ask about the wood that I was looking for and was directed to the office. Once I was in there and told them what I wanted, Bob was very helpful and showed me the selections they had. To say I was impressed with the variety and quality would be an understatement. Oh and the prices beat the pants off of any of the big box home improvement stores! While I looked through the different species of wood, several other employees asked if I needed any help or if I had any questions. Bob also stopped back a few times to check on me. I needed a board cut down to 4 foot lengths and he took care of that right away for me. The checkout process went smoothly and Bob even insisted on helping me take my purchases out to my vehicle! Top notch service for sure! I will be going back for my next hardwood purchases! Update Dec 2025: Returned for another batch of hardwood and easily found what I was looking for. Picked out some Cherry, Maple, and Walnut. Again Bob assisted with selection and the checkout process.

My lord!!! I live in the Tidewater area of Virginia and getting slabs and quality lumber is very expensive and extremely limited. I drove 6.5 hours each way (with a small dog mind you) to get here and after all of that drama, my only thought was…..”I would have driven 12!!!! It’s perfect! The selection, the staff, the overall experience was perfect!!! I just got home from the return trip and I am about to collapse from exhaustion and dream of the desks, tables and beautiful projects to come from these lovely salt to the earth people that cut dried and displayed this beautiful material so that a lowly carpenter like me can try to make them into something worthy of there life. Thank you ladies and gentlemen….I am happy and spent. Go see them too, and goodnight! Edit: It is about a year later than my first trip and I just got back from my fourth trip to Alderfer. They were awesome as always. Here are a few pics of the projects completed this year.

I recently placed an order for 4/4 rough padauk. Bobby was very helpful and efficient. The order was received within three days. The stock is straight and without defects, 100% usable. They're highly recommended.

I could probably write all day about how much I love Alderfer Lumber. So in short,Pros; knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating, too rate product and on and on.. Cons; when your vehicle is so full of wood you just can't squeeze another board foot in. And when you have to leave, the depression is terrible for the first 2 miles. Then I slowly start trying to remember and visualize each individual board I just purchased and get dizzy thinking how much fun it is going to be, when I start to unload and see each one again. Seriously If Alderfers was 300 miles from my shop. I would still drive there. And sleep in the parking lot until they opened in the morning..todays haul back to the shop included. Red oak,white oak, butternut , black walnut, beech, Philippine Mahogany and an unknown ornamental whose hook I bit on , only to get reeled in and offered it a ride home..

Very friendly and helpful staff . Reasonable prices , and great selection. Thanks guys for having just what I was looking for!! A definit return trip for future projects!!

this place is incredibly organized, friendly and extremely helpful. A really amazing business

Great lumber company to find just the type of wood you need. Lady at the desk and men working the yard are super nice.

Got this slab that looked like a shark to me. Here’s the finished product

My review will be a little different. I met John alderfer several years ago as he stopped by our log yard looking for logs. Since that day they have been extremely good customers to us and even better-good friends. As John stopped by today as part of his retirement tour I'll call it we looked back on when we met and throughout the years. Now I talk with the gentleman John had hired Levi. By the way Levi John said today that was one of his best ideas to hire you. These people/this company are great. Looking forward to dealing with them for a long time.

Emailed for a very small custom order. Andrew got back to me quickly but I had to ask twice how to proceed with the order. Without providing a timeframe he said I’d receive an invoice. A day later I’ve yet to receive anything. Do I have to beg to give you my money? Terrible service. Response to owner: this is not true. Confirmation was given - the last message said an invoice would come. If anything else was needed it was not asked for. Talking to Andrew was like pulling teeth.