Building Costs Skyrocket Over the Past 12 Months
Building material costs have soared 26.1% on average over the past 12 months, according to a recent survey of single-family builders asking how much costs have increased for the same house over the last year. It’s no coincidence that this same May survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reveals that a record number of builders reported material shortages across the board.
A plurality of builders (28%) reported that material costs increased by 20-30% over the past year. Another 15.9% indicated that costs increased by 30-40%; 5.9% said costs rose by 40-50% and 15.2% indicated that their costs had soared by 50% or more.
On average, the 12-month increase in material costs for the same house was 26.1%, by far the highest percentage cost increase ever recorded in an NAHB survey. The previous record was 6.1% in 2017.
Material availability and costs are one of several factors, including the cost of regulation and a general shortage of construction labor, limiting the supply of housing, particularly for the entry-level market where additional inventory is badly needed.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics | Housing Affordability
Aug 21, 2025
New and Existing Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in Second QuarterWhile new homes remain largely unaffordable, builder efforts to improve housing affordability paid dividends in the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI). The CHI results from the second quarter of 2025 show that a family earning the nation’s median income of $104,200 needed 36% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Low-income families, defined as those earning only 50% of median income, would have to spend 71% of their earnings to pay for the same new home.
Economics
Aug 20, 2025
Custom Home Building Grows as Broader Housing Market StrugglesAn analysis of census data by NAHB economists shows that custom home building grew 4% in the second quarter of 2025 as high interest rates and home prices suppress demand for traditional spec home production.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 21, 2025
Existing Home Sales Rise in JulyExisting home sales rebounded in July as mortgage rates retreated from the recent peak and home price growth slowed, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Economics
Aug 21, 2025
New and Existing Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in Second QuarterWhile new homes remain largely unaffordable, builder efforts to improve housing affordability paid dividends in the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).
Economics
Aug 20, 2025
Retreat for Single-Family Built-for-Rent HousingSingle-family built-for-rent construction fell back in the second quarter, as a higher cost of financing crowded out development activity.