Pain at the Pump? How About the Pain of Construction Costs?

Posted by Roberta Bartel on April 22, 2022

The costs of building materials are out of control!

A recent NAHB Eye on Housing article states:

"According to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the prices of goods used in residential construction ex-energy (not seasonally adjusted) climbed 1.4% in March, following an upwardly revised increase of 2.2% in February and 4.1% in January. This adds up to an 8% jump in building materials prices since the start of 2022. Year-over-year, building materials prices increased 20.4% and have risen 33% since the start of the pandemic."

lumber price

Following a decline in lumber prices last fall (2021), prices have almost doubled, rising 90.4% by March 2022. These are costs we cannot control.

Yet the demand for new construction remains strong. There is a need for workforce housing. If you build it, they will buy it. But how can we make building more affordable?

What costs can you control?

what are sipsThe time has come to look into alternative building methods such as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).

 

By building with SIPs you can efficiently control your labor costs. How much can you save? According to a BASF motion study, the labor to build a SIP home is two times less than framing a home with 2x6 lumber at 16" oc.

Labor graphic-1How does building with SIPs save labor?

  • Entire wall/roof assembly installs quickly and easily in sections
  • Openings and chases are precut at the factory
  • There is no sheathing or insulating done on site
  • SIPs provide a uniform nailing surface for siding and trim
  • Less work in the field means fewer errors and callbacks

 

Your customers will be happier, too

  • Significantly lower energy costs
  • Healthier, quieter, more comfortable living space
  • A stronger, more disaster-resistant home
  • Greener, more sustainable process
  • Improved resale value

 

 

Plus, because of the solid wall insulation, building with SIPs makes building to today's more stringent building codes easier to do.

Enercept SIPs R & U Values (2020-04-17)-3

See the value of building with SIPs here:

Do you have any questions? We've got the answers

Enercept SIPs FAQ

 

Topics: SIPs, SIP Home, Offsite Construction, Construction Costs