Material pricing volatility remains one of the biggest risks in construction estimating. Below is a summary of the trends we're tracking across major material categories in 2026.
Structural steel
Mill lead times have stabilized compared to prior years, but tariff-driven price swings mean estimators should still carry regional price escalation clauses on longer-duration projects.
Lumber & framing
Framing lumber prices have moderated from post-pandemic highs, though softwood supply remains sensitive to regional mill capacity and seasonal demand.
Copper & electrical
Copper continues to trend upward on global demand, making early procurement locks increasingly valuable for MEP-heavy projects.
Concrete & aggregates
Cement pricing has been relatively stable regionally, though transportation costs for aggregates continue to add variability in rural markets.
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