Material pricing has been one of the least predictable parts of estimating over the past few years, and this year is no exception. Here's a practical rundown of what's moving and what it means for your bids.
Lumber
Framing lumber has stabilized compared to the sharp swings of recent years, but regional supply constraints still cause price spikes on short notice. Build in a pricing hold period on lumber-heavy bids rather than quoting a fixed number 90 days out.
Steel
Structural steel remains sensitive to tariff policy and mill capacity. Projects with long lead-time steel packages should lock pricing with suppliers as early as possible once a bid is awarded, rather than waiting for shop drawings.
Concrete and Aggregate
Concrete pricing tends to move more slowly than lumber or steel, but local aggregate shortages are becoming more common in high-growth regions. If you're bidding outside your usual service area, get a fresh ready-mix quote rather than reusing a nearby market's pricing.
What This Means for Your Bids
The common thread across all three materials is the same: pricing volatility rewards contractors who quote late and lock early. Get supplier pricing as close to bid submission as possible, and build a clear escalation clause into contracts for materials with long lead times.