Increase of steel and timber frames due to COVID

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by But Why?, 25th Sep, 2021.

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  1. But Why?

    But Why? Member

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    Hi All

    A friend is getting quotes for their renovation and mentioned to me that they were told the price of steel and timber frames have increased in price by 400% due to COVID.

    Is this true/right?

    Has anyone else heard the same?

    I don't know where they got that information but I will be asking them when I chat with them next time.

    Cheers
    B
     
  2. Optimus

    Optimus Well-Known Member Business Member

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    40%?
     
  3. But Why?

    But Why? Member

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    Good question... I'll ask if a typo as it was sent via whatsapp and they are based in Newcastle
     
  4. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    In what timeframe? Have they been sitting on a quote for 6 months or did the builder revise the quote a week or two apart?

    Redesign & build in brick and concrete.
     
  5. But Why?

    But Why? Member

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    They received quote 2 weeks ago and said "Our builders quote is not itemised - it has inclusions and then a final price. We haven't signed a contract yet so I'm not sure if the final quote will have a full breakdown."
     
  6. But Why?

    But Why? Member

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    I am on a zoom call with them later tonight so will try to get more info.
     
  7. willair

    willair Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    To poeple who i know who are lic builders -- why would anyone sign --400% ..
     
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  8. But Why?

    But Why? Member

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    I know right...

    But even since March 2020 prices of frames wouldn't have increased that much would they?
     
  9. Speede

    Speede Well-Known Member

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    H2 90x45 framing timber used to be around $3.00 plus per mtr...now $7.00 plus per mtr...

    It's not due to covid its due to bushfires...some timber yards have no supply until jan 2022.
     
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  10. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Timber would comprise <10% of the costs in a project @Depreciator

    Only a portion of the job would have increased not the whole project.
     
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  11. Westminster

    Westminster Tigress at Tiger Developments Business Member

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    They have definitely increased. Overall the effect of increased timber or steel has probably increased construction about 15-20% overall depending on how much of each is in the house. In Perth it's easier to get covid than get a bricklayer so that has also increased construction prices. Roof sheeting is now in low supplies in Perth too.

    The stimulus/grants using up suplly + worldwide shortages has increased the prices.
     
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  12. Depreciator

    Depreciator Well-Known Member

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    I was talking to one of our QSs yesterday who lives in Lennox Head and knows lots of builders up there - he was the QS on the big Hemsworth job.
    He mentioned that nobody up there can get timber LVLs. That is throwing a spanner in the works with lots of projects.
    Scott
     
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  13. Something_Wrong

    Something_Wrong Well-Known Member

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    My Neighbour works in Timber supply and he said they were early adopters of going interstate and buying everything they could and trucking it down. They saw the writing on the wall after the bushfires, not only in NSW but in the USA as well.

    A lot of timber is getting shipped O/S due to the high price.

    I work with steel products mostly out of China and our prices keep going up each month, sometimes twice a month and shipping prices have more than doubled in the last 8mths, along with shipping delays, some items are nearly 4mths late.

    So glad we didn't win many jobs at the start of this year as all of our competition is really struggling with the price rises on current projects as Tier 1/2 builders have the contracts so far in their favor its impossible to change prices mid project even if the project hasn't started.
     
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  14. Hamish Blair

    Hamish Blair Well-Known Member

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    Good luck actually getting timber! At my work we have lots of building projects and my builder has been waiting 3 months for delivery of a pack of timber to build some walls. And yes the price has skyrocketed. US market is booming which is also soaking up supply, along with the impact of bushfires.
     
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