If you are looking to build a house, the cost of overall building materials has not changed significantly with the recent lowering of lumber prices. Jeff Dorner from Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders in Dyckesvillle and Egg Harbor says although lumber prices have dropped by more than 50 percent since May, the cost of steel and vinyl products has gone up. He says that there has been an additional 10 percent increase in corrugated steel products this week alone. That, along with two earlier increases this year, has caused a 32 percent spike in prices. Dorner says builders are contending with shortages of building materials, but most of his customers have been patient to get the work done.

Dorner adds that as long as the demand remains high and interest rates remain low, the building industry should remain strong for the foreseeable future. The shortage of skilled labor has also impacted building this year, as Dorner notes that they are looking for about ten more carpenters to fill out their crews.