CALGARY -- A surge in lumber prices over the last year has left many Calgarians scratching their head over whether or not to build or renovate their homes. Benchmark prices according to the Chicago lumber futures at the start of the pandemic were just over USD$400 per thousand board feet, but hit the $1,700 mark just last week. The news is concerning for developers and realtors like Puma Banwait with Century 21. He ordered a lumber package for a new custom-made luxury home at a price of $108,000 back in November, but the price for a similar home today has now skyrocketed to $173,000.