Use This NAHB Resource to Help Select New Home Building Materials
Home builders throughout the United States are grappling with building material price surges, and shortages or delays for certain orders, which are leading many to explore alternatives to complete or start projects.
Builders face many choices in selecting new products, materials, equipment and fixtures to use in constructing a home, and can determine which building materials best fit their needs by getting information about new or unfamiliar items from manufacturers and distributors. Carefully reviewing building material choices in advance may help eliminate non-conforming building materials, returns and possibly disputes.
NAHB has developed a guide, Assessing Building Materials, for builders who may not have their own review process for gathering information from manufacturers and distributors when considering the selection of new building materials.
The guide is intended to arm members with the most important factor when evaluating new materials or products: information. Use the guide to step through the information collection process to make an informed decision on deploying new products or materials. The guide is not intended to be exhaustive or all-inclusive, but it will help builders ask the right questions and seek the most relevant information.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jan 13, 2026
Release of 2026 Committee and Council AppointmentsLetters for 2026 Committee and Council appointments are tentatively scheduled to be released on Friday, Feb. 6. A list of appointees will be posted on nahb.org on Monday, Feb. 9.
Jan 12, 2026
State Supreme Court to Review NAHB-Supported Case on Subcontractor LiabilityThe South Carolina Supreme Court granted a petition for certiorari review in a case with serious consequences for general contractor liability for subcontractor negligence.
Latest Economic News
Jan 13, 2026
New Home Sales Rise Year-Over-Year as Prices StabilizeThe new home sector has played an increasingly important role in meeting housing demand as resale inventory remains constrained in many regions. The latest data released today (and delayed because of the government shutdown in fall of 2025) indicate that new single-family home sales continue to reflect a stabilizing market after a period of heightened volatility.
Jan 13, 2026
Inflation Steady in DecemberInflation held steady in December, matching November’s reading, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) latest report. This December report was the first report to include a month-to-month figure since the government shutdown.
Jan 12, 2026
Household Real Estate Asset Values Fall in the Third QuarterThe market value of household real estate assets fell to $48.0 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, according to the most recent release of U.S. Federal Reserve Z.1 Financial Accounts. The third quarter value is 0.7% lower than the second quarter but is 1.5% higher than a year ago.