Construction costs are at an all time low. The cost of structural steel is 50% lower than its peak in July of last year. Copper and aluminum prices are similarly off their peak. Construction grade lumber prices have declined heavily. General Contractors are short of work, and skilled craftsmen and laborers are immediately available. This oversupply of labor and materials will not last forever. As the US and world economy recovers, these surplus supplies will shrink, and production pipelines will inevitably lag behind demand. Prices will increase, and even modest inflation will make today’s prices look like a steal.If you are considering a construction project big or small, now is an excellent time to plan it. We have been providing architectural services for over 30 years, and we have never seen this steep a decline in demand. The decline will not last, and neither will this opportunity to build at such a great discount.
In the project pictured above we lifted the roof in order to add a new second floor. By maintaining and reusing the existing first floor, foundation and roof (with the now unattainable Buckingham slate roofing), we reduced landfill contribution, reduced consumption of new wood products, and hastened completion time. Visit http://www.BohlArchitects.com for more information.
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