For homeowners planning a renovation this year, timing could be the biggest factor in what they pay. With material prices continuing to rise and shifting tariffs threatening to push those costs even higher, those looking to boost home value and quality of life might face tighter home improvement budgets. Whether you need lumber, metal, or finish materials, waiting to start a project could mean paying more later.
The research team at Today’s Homeowner analyzed the Producer Price Index (PPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for materials often used in home renovation projects. We compared data from 2020 to April 2025. The PPI represents the wholesale price for goods and materials that suppliers and manufacturers charge. While this doesn’t reflect the final retail cost, the data can serve as an indicator of what may happen to consumer prices.
Findings show that the biggest pricing spikes for commonly used materials in home renovations occurred between 2021 and 2022 (an average 17.0% increase) and the year prior (a 16.2% increase). So far, home renovation materials are showing consistent price increases in early 2025 (1.7%).
- Nearly every common home renovation material has become more expensive. Early 2025 data suggests that homeowners who delay projects may ultimately pay even more. As of April, prices are up 1.7% year to date.
- Aluminum products, such as mill shapes used in windows, siding, and garage doors, had the steepest spike, increasing 17.9% since April 2024. Aluminum costs have boomed both internationally and domestically, driven in part by supply constraints and new tariffs.
- Decorative and infrastructure upgrades also experienced significant price increases. Steel and aluminum used for fences, gates, and railings rose by 16.7% over the past year and have increased by 55.0% since 2020.
- Softwood lumber prices jumped 8.6% between April 2024 and early 2025, reversing previous yearly declines.
- A few materials held steady or declined in cost over the past year. Sawn wood fence stock and wood lath, used for wood fencing, cabinetry, flooring, and even furniture, showed no change, while plywood had the largest decline, dropping 3.8%.
Core Materials Like Lumber and Metal Keep Getting Pricier
Homeowners undertake a variety of home renovation projects, but many rely on the same core materials — many of which are becoming pricier. Softwood lumber increased 8.6% since April 2024, reversing earlier declines between 2020 and 2024. Hardwood lumber is up 4.8% over the same period.
The metal products category had the steepest overall increase at 5.5%. “Right now, anything with metal in it is a pain,” said Jordan Fleming, owner of That HVAC Guy & Plumbing, based in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. “Aluminum and steel prices are up, and those are the bones of almost every HVAC system.”
This trend shows up in the numbers, too. Aluminum mill shapes used for windows and garage doors increased by 17.9%, while copper and brass components — commonly used in plumbing, wiring, or fittings — rose by 7.0%.
Other home renovation essentials also saw increases. Concrete products increased 2.3%, and roofing materials, including asphalt, tar, and cement, are up 1.2%. Cut stones such as granite and marble, commonly used for kitchen countertops, flooring, and accents, saw a 1.5% increase. Drywall and insulation both saw increases of just under 4%.
Some Specialized Materials See Steeper Spikes
It’s not only core materials driving up renovation budgets. Specialized materials have also had notable increases since April 2024. Steel and aluminum used in fences, gates, and railings climbed 16.7% and have increased in cost by 55.0% since 2020.
Prices for power wires and cables used in electrical systems have increased 7.0% year over year and 127.5% since 2020. Other metal-based materials, such as steel pipes commonly used for structural supports, gas lines, or handrails, are up 4.1%. Metal doors and frames increased by 4.4%, while metal windows had a modest rise of 1.7%.
Homeowners looking to update their lighting fixtures or add a fresh coat of paint are also facing higher costs. Residential lighting fixtures rose 3.1%, while paint saw a minimal increase of 0.9%.
Which Home Renovation Materials Are Holding Steady or Dropping
While most renovation materials are getting more expensive, several saw no change or even dropped slightly between April 2024 and April 2025.
- Sawn wood fence stock and wood lath, as well as unitary air conditioners, showed no change. Wood lath is commonly used in fencing and cabinetry, while a unitary AC is an HVAC system where all components are contained within a single unit or a few interconnected ones.
- Millwork, which includes decorative woodwork such as moldings, baseboards, and stairs, decreased by 0.2%.
- Plywood had the largest price drop, falling by 3.8%.
- Flat glass, used in windows, doors, shower panels, and cabinet inserts, saw a slight decrease of 0.4%.
- Plastic construction products, including materials such as PVC piping, decreased by 1.9%.
- Steel nails, staples, tacks, spikes, brads, and pipes decreased by 1.8%. These are often used in roofing, framing, siding, and general fastening work.
How Homeowners Can Stay Ahead of Rising Renovation Costs
Rising wholesale prices can indicate what homeowners might soon pay for renovation materials. With costs rising across nearly every category, delaying a project could result in higher costs down the line.
“Even a two-week delay can cost 5% to 8% more,” said Danny Niemela, vice president of ArDan Construction in Scottsdale, Arizona. “We tell clients to lock pricing fast. Once a materials list is final, we get everything ordered.” Ordering materials early is a cost-saving measure that can help stay on budget, especially if prices continue to rise.
Material flexibility is another way to manage costs. Nathan Mathews, CEO of Texas-based Roofer.com, echoed this sentiment. “We had three Austin-area clients this quarter downgrade from architectural shingles to three-tab asphalt just to stay under a $10,000 limit,” he said. “I mean, when a 30-square roof jumps from $14,500 to $17,200 in four months, people adjust.”
Our analysis also reflects these shifts. While steel and aluminum fencing increased by 16.7% year over year, wood fencing materials, such as sawn wood fence stock, saw no change, offering a possible cost-saving alternative.
Tariff-related price hikes under the Trump administration could drive material costs even higher in the months ahead. “Tariffs might seem like a policy issue, but they’re hitting budgets hard and changing how people plan home improvements,” said Todd Stephenson, co-founder of Roof Quotes, who is based in Austin, Texas.
Before finalizing renovation plans, review material pricing or discuss options with a contractor. For high-cost items, asking about comparable alternatives can help you stay on budget without sacrificing quality.
Methodology
To analyze how material costs are impacting homeowners in 2025, Today’s Homeowner used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index (PPI). We reviewed PPI figures for a wide range of residential construction materials typically used in home renovation projects, including lumber, metal, plumbing fixtures, paint, glass, fencing, and wiring. All data reflects the most recent release available (April 2025).
Our analysis focused on identifying year-over-year and five-year percentage changes in material prices, as well as short-term trends between January and April 2025.
To note, the analysis reflects wholesale price trends, not what you’d pay at the store. However, it can still provide homeowners with a sense of where project costs might be headed, serving as a helpful signal for those trying to plan around fluctuating costs, local demand, and contractor pricing.
