Your project budget is at risk — here’s why.
The latest data shows mixed signals in steel, concrete, and lumber. Developers who act now can lock in savings others will miss.
Lumber Composite: Eased slightly this summer, but remains higher than August 2024, showing lumber costs are stabilizing rather than falling.
Steel-Mill Products: Steel prices ticked up again in August 2025, keeping pressure on project budgets.
Ready-Mix Concrete: Nearly unchanged from August 2024, showing stability over the year but offering no cost relief.
Copper Wire & Cable: Down from a mid-2025 peak, but still about +13% YoY, leaving electrical inputs costly despite the recent dip.
Switchgear: Climbed steadily all year, reaching new highs in August 2025 and continuing to challenge schedules and budgets.
Gypsum Products: Slow, steady rise across the past 12 months, adding incremental cost pressure to wall and finish packages.
Plumbing Fixtures & Fittings: Up roughly 8% YoY, plumbing components continue to trend higher, increasing MEP package costs.
Insulation Materials: Steady vs. 2024 levels, providing predictability for budgets.
Why it matters
Budgets are moving targets. Lenders and GCs are repricing faster, and late value engineering (VE) costs time you don’t have.
What to do this week
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Pick the right frame (CFS vs. steel vs. wood) for local supply and lead times.
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Phase procurement on volatile packages (steel, electrical gear) with early shop drawings.
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Swap specifications to equal-performance alternates where pricing or lead times are better.
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Run a 48-hour VE pass with BASE4 to quantify cost and schedule impacts before you lock a GMP.
How BASE4 Helps
We design smarter from Day 1 so your projects:
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Cut waste through coordinated design sets
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Optimize specifications to meet brand + budget
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Use prefabrication and modular strategies to save time and cost
Our global team, with U.S. presence coast-to-coast, delivers architecture, engineering, and interior design with one goal: helping you build cheaper and faster.
Thank you,
Blair Hildahl
BASE4 Principal
608.304.5228
BlairH@base-4.com
