You may have noticed or overheard about the shortage of building materials. Are you waiting for some repair or renovation work to be complete, and the situation has left work at a standstill?
This page will try to explain some of the causes for the current building materials shortage, what roofing materials are currently affected, and how you can work to avoid these delays.
WHAT’S CAUSING THE ROOFING MATERIALS SHORTAGE?
Demand – Since the first lockdown in the spring of 2020, home improvements and renovation have exploded in popularity, with homeowners deciding to improve their homes with the money they’d usually spend on vacations or new cars. This demand has caused a significant strain on building material stocks, which had a knock-on effect on manufacturers struggling to keep up with the sudden demand, which we are still seeing today.
Raw materials – Due to massive global demand, a mass global shortage of raw materials prevents the production of many vital building products.
Shipping Delays – The demands put on over-the-road trucking and ocean freight have pushed freight volumes to levels never seen before. Combine this demand with the increased rules and regulations placed on drivers, and you have an overall reduction in the number of hours each driver can travel.
A reduction in labor – Many factors have affected labour in the building industry. The repeated lockdowns and government subsidies put some labor workers with families in a position that made it impossible for them to work. This shortage of labor has been felt in every sector of the construction industry and has dramatically slowed down the production of materials as well as the transport of materials.
WHAT EFFECTS ARE THE SHORTAGES HAVING?
Longer lead times – Longer lead times on product manufacture has resulted in longer lead times for professional roofers to complete projects which has had a knock-on effect on roofing projects such as new roofs and repairs.
Price increase – Prices on certain materials have had to increase due to the lengthening of lead times, which in turn has made it increasingly difficult for manufacturers and suppliers to build up their stock reserves. This means that roofing projects may require more funding to purchase the materials to complete on time for a deadline.
WHAT ROOFING MATERIALS ARE MOST IMPACTED BY THE SHORTAGE?
Lumber – Since March 2020, there has been a shortage of lumber due to a high demand for wood products. Lumber is still at record-high pricing levels.
Roof Tiles – Roof tiles are experiencing longer lead times in production, with lead times for concrete tiles between 8-10 weeks, and lead times for clay tiles between 24-30 weeks from most manufacturers.
Roofing Slate– Slate roofs from Europe are experiencing cost increases due to overseas shipping, while north American slate quarries are seeing lead times of 10-12 weeks.
WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THE PRODUCTION &SHORTAGES TO END AND WHAT CAN BE DONE?
It’s hard to anticipate when the shortages will end, but as we near the end of 2022, we continue to see high demand for most production with stock levels low or nonexistent. We expect most production delays to continue well into 2023. With so much uncertainty, we recommend that you:
Plan – We’ve been saying this for years but order your roof as soon as you can. Planning ahead will lock in current pricing and keep your spot in line with you materials on site when you need them.
Consider reclaimed materials – If you have a longer than expected lead time on new roofing materials such as tiles and slates, consider opting for reclaimed materials if possible. Stock levels of reclaimed materials stay relatively steady with only a small premium charge for the immediate availability.
CALL THE TILE ROOF EXPERTS!
If you have an upcoming roofing project and require a free, no-obligation quote with a realistic time frame, Tile Roofs Canada Ltd. can help! We can offer a free, no-obligation quotation as well as technical support for any tile or stone roof.
PH: 888-817-7668
Email: sales@tileroofscanada.com
Or drop us a message on Facebook!
