Majority of Remodelers Report Lumber, Other Material Shortages

The rising cost of lumber and disrupted supply chains continue to affect nearly all areas of the industry. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) wanted to zero-in on remodelers and found that 77% of surveyed remodelers are running into a framing lumber shortage, 65% report windows and doors shortages, and 63% are short on plywood. As for lumber, 52% of the 77% reported “some shortage” while 25% reported a “serious shortage.” NAHB says the growing prices of lumber have undoubtedly impacted lumber availability for both remodelers and home builders. 

Behind framing lumber, at least 60 percent of remodelers report shortages for three other materials: windows and doors (65 percent), plywood (63 percent), and oriented strand board (OSB) (61 percent) – all construction products commonly derived from softwood lumber. At least 17 percent of remodelers report having a serious shortage for all three of these materials.

At least 40 percent of remodelers report shortages for four other materials: millwork (45 percent), plumbing fixtures & fittings (44 percent), trusses (43 percent), and cabinets (41 percent) – three of which involve lumber. Very small shares of remodelers report shortages on clay brick (10 percent), concrete brick and block (11 percent), steel (lightweight for framing) (12 percent), and structural insulated panels (SIP) (another 12 percent). 

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