Nationwide, material and skilled labor shortages are impacting the construction and home remodeling industries. Supply chain shortages remain problematic, often causing project completion delays and increased costs.
Interior Designer Stephanie Larmor at Central Construction Group (CCG), a premiere Indianapolis home remodeler, advises clients to select materials as early in the process as possible, then try to stick to their original decisions. Changing your mind multiple times along the way or after material selections are made often results in increased costs.
And if you’re currently saving for a future home remodeling project, just know the material prices you see today won’t be the same a year from now. For example, one client contacted CCG last year to discuss two small bath renovations, then began saving for the project. When they reached out this year to schedule the job, the costs increased by more than $5,000 per bath due to inflation and price increases for materials.
The National Association of Home Builders, in collaboration with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Producer Price Index, report an 8% increase in building materials this year, with costs rising 33 percent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
According to a recent HUB survey, 90% of builders reported shortages of appliances and lumber while 87% reported shortages of windows and doors. The survey noted “material shortages interrupt cash flow, affecting costs, timing and budgets.”
Material Delays Affect Project Timelines
Receiving materials has become increasingly difficult since the onset of the global pandemic, mostly because the United States imports about 30% of construction-based products from other countries. With people spending more time at home, demand for remodeling projects has increased despite a lack of readily available materials.
Supply chain shortages may extend project timelines. For instance, a lumber shortage may delay the framing process for a room addition, which holds up other aspects of the project such as plumbing, electrical, drywall, etc.
Despite many unknowns these days, one remodeling aspect homeowners can control is working with an interior designer to select their desired materials and get them ordered in a timely fashion. Custom orders often have a longer lead time than standard products. Adequate time should be allotted to meet these time frames. It’s also important to stand firm once materials have been selected. Changing your mind along the way can result in longer completion times and often costs more money.
Interior Design Help Available Every Step of the Way
Despite nationwide material, supply and labor shortages, CCG remains committed to its clients and strives to provide the best possible home remodeling services.
From kitchen and bath remodels to room additions and basement transformations, interior design experts provide professional advice every step of the way. CCG guides clients throughout the home remodeling process, which includes the following steps:
- Pre-planning: Clients sit down with experts to discuss overall project goals and budgets.
- 3D design: A colorful, 3D visual will help you envision how the project will look once completed, including paint colors, fixtures, flooring, etc.
- Estimates: A detailed, itemized estimate helps eliminate unforeseen expenses.
- Production: Projects are scheduled to coordinate with material arrivals to minimize downtime.
Whether you need help selecting cabinetry, countertops, flooring or a tile backsplash, CCG professionals are available to guide you through the process. For more information, contact CCG online or call 317-213-6246 to start planning your future home remodeling project.
