Steep inflation over the past few months has exacerbated what was already a volatile market for construction materials, further complicating specialty contractors’ efforts to successfully navigate a post-pandemic environment where many markets remain active, albeit with resources in short supply. While there are indications that the spring-summer price acceleration may have abated, if not peaked, subcontractors remain wary.
“Just the cost of building projects is starting to be concerning with the additional cost of getting commodities that aren’t as available,” says Tom Schott, president and CEO of Cupertino Electric, San Jose, Calif. “And there’s no real clarity on when things will really smooth out.”
