The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced their Materials Access Program, a new initiative to purchase mineral materials from public lands. Construction materials were up 2.8% in 2025, for particular builders and remodelers this could help ease the burden in materials costs. Levi Spellman, Public Affairs Officer, at BLM noted that in Colorado, mineral materials currently available for sale. This includes sand, gravel, bentonite, adobe clay, fill dirt, red gravel, silt, limestone, volcanic rock, river rock, boulders, rip rap and decomposed granite. “Mineral materials are the basic building blocks of our…
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Building material price growth declines for first time in a year
Residential building material price growth rate drops for the first time since April 2025. According to the National Association of Homebuilders’ analysis of the Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, building material prices are increasing, but at a lower rate than the year before. The Producer Price Index final demand increased 0.5% in January, a continuation of the 0.4% increase in December. Specifically in the industry, metal products are experiencing the largest price growth while lumber and wood material products are stabilizing. “The goods component has a…
Read MoreLegislation aims to exclude building materials from tariffs
On Feb 27, 2026, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) worked Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) to introduce the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, which would automatically exempt many home building materials from current and future tariffs. The legislation would also allow importers to apply for tariff exemptions on home building materials that are not automatically exempted. “Roughly 60% of builders have already seen cost increases due to tariffs, which means higher housing costs for American home buyers and renters,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens. “This bill is…
Read MoreNAHB Chairman responds to Supreme Court tariff ruling
On Feb. 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the President’s attempts to use emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was not within his right. “IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs,” written by the supporting justices in the opinion decision. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) throughout these tariff decisions advocated for the exception of building materials in these trade agreements. They cited affordability and supply chain concerns. The association estimated in 2024, an estimated 7% of all goods used in new residential…
Read MoreSupreme Court’s tariff ruling will offer construction relief
On Feb. 20, 2026, the Supreme Court threw out a large number of tariffs that were imposed on imports. This decision is expected to have numerous impacts, including some much-needed relief for building materials and inflation as a whole. A decline in material prices, specifically specialty equipment, HVAC and electrical systems, as well as fixtures, can be an expected result after the ruling. However, tariffs on lumber, steel, copper products and lumber are still in place. Contractors can still expect an overall lessening of material prices. Read More
Read MoreFeatures expected to be more expensive in 2026
With increasing costs across the country and new tariffs on foreign goods prices of certain materials are expected to climb even more in 2025. These goods are expected to increase the most: lumber, cabinetry, windows and exterior doors, roofing and cladding, tiles and flooring. While the White House announced the delay of tariffs on furniture and kitchen cabinets until 2027, price of lumber is rising regardless and so is cabinetry. “Last year, we were notified by one of the largest cabinetry manufacturers that our price was going up by 9%…
Read MoreConstruction materials up 2.8% in 2025
According to a report from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) construction input prices are 2.8% higher than a year ago. While input costs decreased 0.6% in December compared to the previous month, overall material prices increased. For example material prices of copper wire and cable increased 4.6% in December, reportedly up 22% year over year. This includes primary nonferrous metal prices up 62% over the past year. “Prices for commodities less exposed to tariffs, like asphalt or crushed stone, will likely remain tame in the coming months due to…
Read MoreWhy minerals matter in roofing systems
Minerals play a key role in the performance of roofing materials. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, asphalt shingles remain the most widely used roofing material in the U.S., at about 80%. In the asphalt shingles contain a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules. The mineral granules protect from UV expose which can lead to higher rates of deterioration. Choosing the correct roofing materials for the local climate is important, asphalt shingles also provide a resistance to weather including hail and are naturally fire resistant. The…
Read MoreNLBMDA’s 2026 national policy agenda
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) released their national policy agenda for 2026. In this they outlined their vision for housing and construction, tax and economic policy, legal reform and consumer protection, workforce policy, environment, health and safety, production supply and trade, energy and transportation. Highlights of their framework include supporting the Timber Innovation Act to advance tall wood building construction. The NLBMDA supports and wants to advance building codes that would allow for construction of wood framed buildings larger than six stories. This is supported by…
Read MoreBuilding material price rises at end of year
According to the latest Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, residential building material prices continued to show growth. Price growth averages above 3.0%, despite concerns in the remodeling and new residential construction market. Across building materials, metal products experienced price increases. However, ready-mix concrete and softwood lumber declined throughout 2025. “The largest year-over-year price increases continue to show in metal products. Topping the list in November was metal molding and trim, with prices up 48.2% from last year. Two key inputs, ready-mix concrete and softwood lumber,…
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