Construction material update: 2024

The first report of the year from the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group suggests good levels of product availability, with prices remaining flat or falling slightly – for now.

Increased availability and affordability of construction materials and products is reported to have arisen from a housebuilding sector suppressed by high interest rates, planning obstacles and availability of sites.

Consequently, there is good availability of aggregate, cement and concrete, with demand from housebuilders not forecast to increase until 2025. 

Conflict overseas has not yet affected materials sourced from the Indian subcontinent and Asia, including sandstone, plywood and sheet materials, hand tools, ironmongery and electrical goods. Disruption in the Red Sea is predicted to lead to longer shipping routes of 10-15 days which may result in delays in deliveries and consequential increases resulting from higher shipping and container costs.

Semi-conductors, a common part of electronic chips made for computing components and electric devices, are widely manufactured in Israel, meaning continued conflict may add pressure on worldwide supply and increased prices.   

Further reading

Construction Leadership Council: Material Supply Chain Group Statement