first problem is going to Home Depot or Lowes for initial material grab. Check lumber yards or sawmills direct or steel wholesalers first, check unit cost differential for each material type and make ur decision from there. although i'd be lying if i said i never visit The Depot for tools/materials/etc as it is unavoidable eventually.
I wasn't suggesting that you buy from home depot or Lowes. I was using them as a price comparison. Of course buying in bulk for a home build will make things cheaper, but the relative price differences are about the same. Lumber is expensive right now, but metal is still a good bit more expensive.
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