(Contractors and Homeowners) A Reality Check on Material Costs (Good News)

NOT ALL BUILDING MATERIALS ARE EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW.

MANY COMMON PRODUCTS HAVE STABILIZED — AND SOME ARE EVEN MORE AFFORDABLE THAN A YEAR AGO.

Contractors & Homeowners: A Practical Look at Today’s Material Costs

Not all building materials are expensive. Many common products have stabilized, and some are priced the same—or less—than a year ago.

There’s a widespread belief that repairs and renovations should be delayed because “everything is too expensive.” That belief made sense a few years ago — but the market has shifted.

Today, many manufacturers are focused on keeping products moving, maintaining sales volume, and staying competitive. Materials sitting on shelves don’t help anyone, so pricing has adjusted in several key categories.

🧱 WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING WITH MATERIALS

• Supply chains are stable

• Warehouses are stocked

• Manufacturers need steady sales

• Mid-range products are priced competitively

👉 This means there are real opportunities right now for homeowners who understand which projects make sense to tackle.

🛁 BATHROOM PROJECTS — STILL VERY APPROACHABLE

STANDARD MID-RANGE MATERIALS THAT HAVE REMAINED STABLE

• Ceramic and porcelain tile (standard collections)

• Tub and shower systems

• Toilets and common plumbing fixtures

• Stock and mid-range vanities

• Drywall, cement board, waterproofing systems

• PVC plumbing materials

For a typical mid-range bathroom, material pricing is often not the obstacle people expect it to be.

🍳 KITCHEN UPDATES — SAME STORY - REASONABLY PRICED MATERIALS

• Stock and semi-custom cabinetry

• Tile backsplashes

• Standard countertops

• Framing lumber and drywall

• Common plumbing fixtures

For refreshes and functional upgrades, materials remain manageable.

🪟 VINYL ENERGY STAR WINDOWS — AN IMPORTANT BRIGHT SPOT

This is one area homeowners often misunderstand.

STANDARD VINYL ENERGY STAR WINDOWS HAVE HELD THEIR PRICING — AND IN SOME CASES ARE CHEAPER THAN A YEAR AGO.

What’s happening:

• Window factories are well stocked

• Demand has cooled from peak years

• Manufacturers are pricing competitively to keep volume moving

👉 As a result, vinyl Energy Star–rated windows remain one of the best value upgrades available right now.

For homeowners dealing with drafts, comfort issues, or energy loss, this category does not follow the “everything is expensive” narrative.

🏠 GENERAL REPAIRS & INTERIOR UPDATES THAT MAKE SENSE NOW

• Interior repairs

• Flooring updates

• Trim and finish work

• Drywall and paint prep

• Plumbing repairs using PVC

• Insulation improvements

These projects rely on materials that have largely stabilized and are well-positioned for today’s market.

💡 WHY THIS CAN MEAN SAVINGS

When products slow down:

• Manufacturers adjust pricing

• Mid-range lines stay competitive

• Volume matters more than premium pricing

Homeowners who look at actual materials used, instead of assuming all projects are overpriced, often find the path forward is clearer than expected.

✅ FINAL TAKEAWAY

Not every project needs to wait.Not every material is overpriced.And many repairs and renovations can be tackled sensibly and affordably right now.