Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Building Materials in San Rafael
Founded in 1983, Rafael Lumber has been a trusted provider of building materials and expertise for contractors, homeowners, and DIY enthusiasts in Marin County. Our commitment to personalized service sets us apart in an industry dominated by large retailers, with staff averaging 10 years of experience in hardware and building supplies. We offer a comprehensive selection of lumber, molding, hardware, plumbing, electrical supplies, paint, doors, windows, and tools, ensuring customers find exactly what they need for any project. Our dedicated delivery program and modern lumber yard layout save clients time, allowing them to focus on their work. Recognized as the Best Lumber Yard in Marin by Pacific Sun Newspaper for over two decades, we combine local knowledge with a vast inventory to meet both professional and personal needs.Our galleries provide inspiration for home improvement projects, while our expert team offers guidance on product selection and application. With a focus on customer satisfaction, we maintain one of the highest staff-to-customer ratios in the region, ensuring attentive support at every step. Our accounting services streamline transactions, and our partnerships with top brands guarantee quality products backed by industry expertise. Whether tackling large-scale construction or weekend DIY projects, clients rely on our knowledge, selection, and service excellence to achieve superior results.
Services
Lumber Supply
Hardware Sales
Plumbing Supplies
Electrical Supplies
Paint Sales
Door Sales
Window Sales
Tool Rentals
Delivery Services
DIY Project Guidance
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- Our staff averages 10 years of experience in building supplies.
- We offer one of the largest in-stock selections of molding and trim in the Bay Area.
- Modern delivery trucks ensure timely material transport to job sites.
- Recognized as Best Lumber Yard in Marin by Pacific Sun Newspaper since the 1990s.
- Comprehensive product range makes us a true one-stop shop for contractors.
What people say
Expert staff
Great selection
Timely delivery
Competitive pricing
Helpful guidance
Services
Lumber Supply
Rafael Lumber provides a vast selection of kiln-dried lumber, hardwoods, and specialty wood products for construction and DIY projects. Our inventory includes standard and custom-cut materials to meet specific project requirements. With one of the largest in-stock selections in the Bay Area, we ensure quick availability and expert guidance on material suitability.
Hardware Sales
Our hardware department features extensive options for door pulls, hinges, and specialty fixtures. We maintain deep stock of popular items and offer catalog access for hard-to-find components. Knowledgeable staff assist with matching existing hardware or selecting new pieces to complement design aesthetics.
Plumbing Supplies
Rafael Lumber stocks comprehensive plumbing supplies including pipes, valves, and fittings for residential and commercial applications. Our inventory covers standard and specialty items to support both emergency repairs and large-scale installations. Expert staff provide guidance on code compliance and material selection.
Paint Sales
We offer premium paint brands like Valspar and Devine, along with specialty stains from Cabot and Penofin. Our selection includes interior/exterior paints, primers, and application tools. With decades of combined experience, our staff provides color matching services and application advice for professional results.
Delivery Services
Our modern delivery fleet ensures timely transport of building materials to job sites across Marin County. Services include bulk lumber delivery, hardware shipments, and urgent supply runs. With reliable drivers and optimized logistics, we help contractors maintain project timelines without compromising material quality.
Questions
What products does Rafael Lumber offer?
We carry lumber, hardware, plumbing/electrical supplies, paint, doors, windows, tools, and building materials. Our inventory includes specialty items and bulk materials for contractors.
Do you serve both contractors and homeowners?
Yes, we cater to professional contractors and DIY homeowners with tailored services, including bulk delivery and project guidance.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Marin County and the greater Bay Area, with reliable delivery services to job sites across these regions.
Are your staff knowledgeable about building materials?
Our team averages 10 years of experience, providing expert advice on product selection, application techniques, and project planning.
What are your store hours?
We're open Monday-Friday 6 AM-5 PM, Saturday 7:30 AM-4 PM, and closed on Sundays.
Have you received any industry recognition?
We've been named Best Lumber Yard in Marin by Pacific Sun Newspaper annually since the early 1990s for our service and product quality.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Gisela J.
Jun 29, 2022
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I went to San Rafael Lumber in search of grab bars and house numbers! Seeing me searching the isles, I was approached by a young man, offering assistance! He showed me various grab bars, I needed one for outdoors in black, he brought a spray can and showed me how to spray it black - wow, the outcome is great! He also helped me select new house numbers! Thank you Ian for turning my hardware store visit, which can be overwhelming, into a pleasant productive experience!
Pam Bohner
Jun 23, 2022
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Taylor is the guy you want to talk to if you have questions about lumber. He was so helpful and knowledgeable.
Bill L.
Jun 01, 2022
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Jacksons, Goodmans, Fairfax lumber, Golden Gate lumber, yes even Home Depot. Maybe even 7-11. Go ANYWHERE else for hardware and lumber needs besides Rafael lumber. This review is long overdue, but the service at this place is laughably bad, rude, incompetent. The cashier dudes behind the counter seem to hate their jobs, their customers, probably their wives, maybe even their dogs. How are these cashiers so arrogant and condescending?
It boggles the mind. Have a question? Forget about it, find one of the quiet dudes walking the aisles or better, a fellow customer. It took me about half a dozen times to go to this place to find something and have them treat me like crap before I said you know what, I can go across the street and not be treated like crap anymore. Save yourself time, trouble, energy, and an unpleasant start to your day. Shop anywhere else other than Rafael lumber.
It boggles the mind. Have a question? Forget about it, find one of the quiet dudes walking the aisles or better, a fellow customer. It took me about half a dozen times to go to this place to find something and have them treat me like crap before I said you know what, I can go across the street and not be treated like crap anymore. Save yourself time, trouble, energy, and an unpleasant start to your day. Shop anywhere else other than Rafael lumber.
Gerald Wilkerson
May 25, 2022
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Had a great experience here helping my niece pick up lumber, etc. for her project. We had good help from the guys inside and out in the yard. Patrick was the best! He explained lumber talk so next time my niece goes in she will speak their language and it will go quicker.
Jean M.
Apr 21, 2022
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It's great to be greeted by an employee at the door who takes you to the exact spot where you need to be for what you want. I love that compared to being left to wander or run into someone who says aisle 15 or 16, and then goes on. That said, the selection was very low--pandemic supply chain issues, I presume. Special orders take a while--not their fault--but do stay on top of them, nonetheless. And, employees don't have great expertise, likely due to pandemic turn over. Be careful when placing special orders that you can refuse if it's wrong.
Jordan Griesshaber
Mar 22, 2022
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Great selection of door hardware and various other miscellaneous construction stuff. Lumber and rockwool too. Plumbing and hvac is very hit or miss.
Michael Margaona
Dec 04, 2021
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It's a very nice place.it doesn't have everything n it is expensive whereas stuff Is cheaper n more of it in places like home Depot but you don't get the service u do here.this store is part of our community n we should support it! If you want to see what that monster ice cold configuration of Amazon can do to a store look at Whole Foods.they owned now n it's colder n lifeless in there as a refrigerator.even the wanna bees n snobs this place attracts are quiet.no one there likes the store or working for it.it's lost it's soul n sense of family it once had.so if u don't PATRONIZE what we have left check the fate of Whole Foods n weep.
