Building Material Shortages, Price Increases, and What It Means for Your Next Project

Nearly two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the crisis on supply chain and materials shortages is still significantly impacting project timelines and costs for homeowners across the U.S. According to Angi's True Cost Report, in 2020, additions, closets, and cabinetry saw the biggest rise in pricing, with project prices increasing from 2019 by 49%, 38%, and 30%, respectively.

So what does this mean for the next several months of DIY projects—and how long will these issues last? We'll explain what to expect from today's home renovation process and how to maneuver through supply chain issues like a pro.

Building Materials in Short Supply

The perfect storm of construction mayhem began at the start of the pandemic shutdown in spring 2020. Factories that produced crucial home building and renovation materials scaled back or halted manufacturing for the safety of their employees. 

The demand for construction, however, only grew. No longer tethered to city hubs for work, homeowners moved closer to loved ones or areas with a bit more wiggle room. And with record-low mortgage rates, the option to purchase or build a home expanded to more people.

On top of everything else, natural disasters like the Texas freeze obstructed the already struggling supply of plastics, paint, and home siding—all of which can temporarily slow down the pace of a home renovation.

Let's take a look at the major materials affected in the past two years and its impact on your home improvement projects, whether you're on the verge of renovating the bathroom or finally building that addition.

Lumber

According to the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), softwood lumber is one of the most common types of wood found in average home construction. This includes everything from the home's framing to the back deck. 

While the lumber mills significantly slowed down production, the housing market went in the opposite direction. Real estate saw record-setting years in 2020 and 2021, and without enough homes to meet demand, a home shortage called for more new construction.

Here's the good news: NPR reports that lumber prices finally started slowly falling in June of 2021. In other words, hope is on the horizon. Many projects that have been on hold are suddenly getting the green light. If you've been hesitant to embark on a new addition, shed, or home office because of lumber prices, now may be the time to start planning.

Cement

Driveways, foundations, patios, and pools: cement lays the groundwork for some of the most important projects for our homes. As one of the most-used materials for small projects and new construction alike, the demand for cement and concrete grew in both 2020 and 2021.

Texas is one of the largest cement suppliers to the U.S., but after unexpected freezing temperatures in February of 2021, production fell behind by nearly half a million tons of cement.

As of May 2021, cement prices rose more than 10% compared to 12 months before. Why the huge jump? In addition to demand, the supply chain saw multiple disruptions. For one, stricter regulations due to COVID-19 slowed down delivery times.

Windows and Doors

When it comes to home items made from multiple materials, the shortage becomes more complex. An astounding 87% of builders reported a shortage of windows and doors in a recent NAHB survey.

In addition to a holdup of specific materials, most window and door factories couldn't expand their output to meet the demand. The costs to increase capacity simply weren't financially feasible for such a sudden, and possibly short-lived, demand.

Appliances

The hunt for a new stove or refrigerator can be competitive business. The supply chain for things such as wires, steel, and chips came to a slow crawl in 2020 and 2021 while the demand for appliances—particularly converted high-end ones—skyrocketed in the same timeframe.

There is a similar push-and-pull to construction materials occurring; with more emphasis placed on the importance of a comfortable, high-tech house, homeowners are making major home upgrades faster. The extreme demand for that smart refrigerator mixed with a chip shortage, for example, leads to long waits and heftier price tags.

Steve Cunningham of NAHB told Forbes that there is a workaround for homeowners looking to update their appliances during these tricky times. By remaining flexible and opting for an available model—instead of a specific one you had your eye on—you may be able to skip the wait and finish the project on time. Models with minimal blemishes are also easy to come by, especially if you're looking to lower the price tag.

Steel, Siding, and Other Materials

It seems that virtually no home construction materials got by unscathed. The Association of General Contractors noted that:

• Steel prices rose by 67%

• Brass and copper costs increased by 49%

• The price of aluminum jumped 20.5%

Plastic construction materials—PVC piping, moisture barriers, vinyl siding, paints, adhesives—even went up more than 12%.

What to Expect: Cost Increases

The Associated General Contractors of America noted nearly a 20% rise in overall construction materials over the past year. While this number may stop you in your tracks, not all materials have seen or will see huge price fluctuations. This unpredictability simply calls for a bit more time shopping around, waiting for the right material to come back in stock, or speaking with local contractors for advice about the current market.

For example, prices may change quickly, even in the short time between receiving a quote from a contractor and accepting the offer. If a contractor needs to source a notoriously tricky material right now—like wood for new construction—the process may look slightly different than it did in the past.

"The most significant unexpected change was the sharp increase in the price of lumber," explains licensed general contractor and remodeling expert Bob Tschudi. "To stay on budget for the client and stay profitable, we check prices right before giving an estimate—and have shortened the time allowed for acceptance from 30 days to 15 days."

According to the NAHB, building a single-family home from scratch is about $36,000 higher this year simply due to the rise in lumber prices. Some contractors will include escalation clauses in contracts that protect builders in case materials increase above a certain rate during the process.

What to Expect: Length of Backorders

With the ever-changing nature of the pandemic and its effects on the economy, backorders will vary from weeks to months, depending on the material. 

The CEO of Florida Home Builders, Rusty Payton, noted that it now takes an average of 15 to 18 months to build a home from the ground up. Pre-pandemic, it took just about eight.

Items that include a range of materials—such as appliances with wires, steel, and plastic all in one—may encounter the bottleneck effect. In other words, your dishwasher would be built and ready to ship if it weren't for the holdup of essential parts across the country or even across the world.

Tschudi details another example: "For a short period, there were no electrical boxes for switch and outlet rough-ins. And when trying to replace a door handle on a refrigerator that was manufactured outside of the U.S., we were told that the part would not be available for 6 to 9 months or longer."

While it can be hard to predict the schedule of your home project right now, it's comforting to know that the situation changes each week. Slowdowns of months in the past do not mean the delays will continue to the same extent as the world starts to open back up.

In June, 2021, the White House released a statement noting supply chain disruptions—with manufacturing and construction topping the list. Thankfully, it also reassured citizens that hope is on the horizon, ensuring ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the supply chain.

What the Experts Have to Say

So, where does this leave your next home project? And how do you control remodeling prices in unstable times? “With so much uncertainty around manufacturing slowdowns, supply chain disruptions, scarce product availability, and volatile prices, building in flexibility and advance planning to your project is more important than ever,” says Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Angi.

Keep a Flexible Schedule

"Two things to consider are budget and duration of the project,'' says Tschudi, "If your project requires materials that are very expensive because of scarcity (for example, a garden structure that uses 6” x 6” x 12’ treated wood), you might want to hold off."

Timing, as is often the case, is key. Rapidly changing prices can make it trickier to negotiate lower prices, and choosing the right season for your home remodeling projects can sway the cost.

Consider Where and How to Get the Right Supplies

Jeronimo Aguilar-Gutierrez, VP of Pricing and Procurement at Bolster, a New York renovation firm, explained to Brick Underground that buying American products is another way to cut down on wait times. Foreign-designed and constructed items are currently taking longer due to unique COVID restrictions and freight delays in each country. 

And, while it may be tempting to skip the contractor when prices rise, remember to weigh the costs and risks of DIY projects. Additionally, Aguilar-Gutierrez reiterates that some high-demand items are easier to procure through a contractor. Many designers have long-standing professional connections to a supplier, making it easier than contacting a company yourself.

Most importantly, a trained and certified contractor—especially during such times of inconsistency is a must have. “In this current boom, having a high-quality pro is more important than ever,” explains Fisher. “Since they will have a broader sense of where to source materials, what substitutes work when you can't get something you need, and understand where to pivot when a delay comes up.”

Think Ahead

Overall, you want to move quickly once you get started. Tschudi clarifies, "To keep your project duration as short as possible, make sure you have all the supplies before starting. That might require paying for and storing items before the work begins, but it will keep the project on schedule."

Diving into home renovation projects may look a bit different these days, but with the right strategy, flexibility, and awareness of the quickly changing industry, the result will be worth the extra challenge.