Skyrocketing prices of lumber, building materials driving up cost of new homes

PITTSBURGH — The sharp increase in the price of lumber is pushing up the cost to build new homes.

In 40 years of building homes around the region, Ray Snoznik, owner of R.A. Snoznick Construction Inc., told our partners at TribLive.com that he has never seen a jump like this in the price of lumber.

“It’s up 188% from last year,” he said.

He said the higher cost for materials is pushing up the price of a new home by about $24,000. Snoznik said he is currently working on some homes with a price tag of $500,000 to $600,000 because of it.

A basic 8-foot-long two-by-four has jumped in price from $3.98 last year to nearly $9 a board now Brian Nee, owner of B. Nee Home Renovations, told TribLive.com.

“Solid wood doors, some specialty sidings and ceramic tiles can have a lead time of two to three months,” he said.

Some materials are becoming harder to get. Nee said a square of roofing shingles that used to cost him $78 now runs over $100.

“We can’t price a project anymore. I don’t know what to expect,” Bob Davis of Hempfield said.

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