Builders are optimistic that the industry will turnaround from last year
(WDAY TV) - While homebuilders in Fargo-Moorhead saw their industry grind to a halt during last spring's flood, there is optimism in the air about the next few months. Those selling lumber and those building homes say it appears this spring will be a turnaround from last year, this despite some roller-coaster prices for building supplies.By: Kevin Wallevand, WDAY
- Building homes
The Chris Lind Construction Company is trying to get this Osgood home finished in time for the Parade of Homes. Sheet rockers are busy inside today. Despite the flood, new home construction went up 5 percent in Fargo Moorhead last year. But this winter so did the prices of what it takes to build a home.
“The framing materials and our OSB and plywood materials, we have seen about a 10 -percent increase the last few months.”
The framing materials, after a couple years of low prices, lumber costs are up again. More realistic say those in the business.
“Supply is down so the mills do not have a lot of logs cut and so they can raise the price because the supply is not there.”
But while home builders have seen a spike recently in the cost of lumber and plywood, they have seen a welcome drop in the price of shingles and drywall.
“We are still 25% lower in pricing 4 years ago when we were at an all time building high.”
It's all a gamble, this home building business. Those in construction hope the water stays away, the economy continues to recover and people here finally begin to buy newly built homes again. Home builders say the housing incentives Congress passed have certainly helped the sale of homes. That continues through April.
Tags: kevin wallevand, home, business, flood, fargo, moorhead
RSS Feeds