Building materials more expensive: how do you keep your renovation affordable?

Have building materials become more expensive, and what does that mean for your plans? In 2022 the prices of timber, steel and plastics rose sharply, because demand increased worldwide during the pandemic. Concrete and cement rose less steeply in that period. Prices are still moving, and that affects every renovation or extension. Waiting for prices to fall is rarely a good strategy. What does help: fixing your choices early, understanding provisional sums and knowing how long a quotation is valid. That way you keep the budget under control.

Why did building materials become more expensive?

During the pandemic many people started working from home and improving their houses. At the same time factories and transport sometimes came to a standstill. In 2022 that combination led to shortages in the market. Timber, steel and plastics in particular became much more expensive within a short time. For window frames, joists, insulation and pipework you noticed it straight away in the price.

Concrete and cement rose less sharply. For an extension that meant, in that period, that the foundations and the floor stayed fairly stable in price, while the timber roof structure and the frames did not. It shows that not every part of a plan is equally sensitive to price swings.

What do more expensive building materials mean for your renovation now?

Prices of building materials do not stand still. They depend on energy costs, transport, exchange rates and how busy the construction sector is, among other things. We deliberately do not quote current percentages here, because they date quickly. What we see in practice: materials make up a large part of the total price, alongside labour and finishing.

For a first impression of the total costs, take a look at what a renovation roughly costs or what an extension costs. Use those figures as a guide. A tailored quotation is still needed, because every house and every plan is different.

What is a provisional sum and when is it useful?

A provisional sum is a fixed amount in the quotation for something that has not been chosen in detail yet. Think of tiles, sanitary ware, a kitchen or the door and window hardware. If your choice turns out more expensive, you pay the difference. If it turns out cheaper, you get the difference back.

Provisional sums are useful when you are still undecided, but they also make a quotation less certain. The more provisional sums, the greater the chance that the final price will differ. So check whether the amounts are realistic for what you have in mind.

• Ask exactly what each provisional sum covers
• Check whether fitting is included or charged separately
• Agree how extra and reduced work will be settled
• Replace provisional sums with fixed choices as soon as you can

Why does it pay to fix your choices early?

The sooner the choices are fixed, the sooner the materials can be ordered. That gives certainty about price and delivery time. Window frames and a sliding door often take several weeks to deliver. If you only choose during the build, you risk a higher price and a building site that grinds to a halt.

A renovation is rarely decided overnight. There are often a few months of thinking involved. Use that time to choose materials, for example when weighing up timber or uPVC window frames. At Bouwbedrijf R. Vlieland one dedicated project manager keeps track of those choices, from the first conversation to completion.

How long is a quotation valid when prices rise?

A quotation usually has a period of validity, often a few weeks. After that the contractor may review the price. With fluctuating material prices that makes sense: the contractor's suppliers do not hold their prices indefinitely either.

Also check whether the agreement contains a price escalation clause. It states whether and how price increases after signing will be passed on. If you are comparing several offers, pay close attention to conditions like this. More tips can be found in choosing a contractor and comparing quotations.

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