For homeowners planning a renovation this year, timing could prove to be the single most influential factor in determining the final price tag. With material prices continuing their upward trajectory and shifting tariffs threatening to push those costs even higher, those looking to boost home value and quality of life might face significantly tighter home improvement budgets. Whether the project requires lumber, metal, or finish materials, waiting to start a project could translate directly into paying more later.
To understand these financial shifts, the research team at Today’s Homeowner analyzed the Producer Price Index (PPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for materials frequently used in home renovation projects. The data comparison spans from 2020 to April 2025. The PPI represents the wholesale price for goods and materials that suppliers and manufacturers charge. While this metric does not reflect the final retail cost paid by consumers, the data serves as a key indicator of what may happen to consumer prices in the near future.
The findings show that the most significant pricing spikes for commonly used materials in home renovations occurred between 2021 and 2022, which saw an average 17.0% increase, and the year prior, which saw a 16.2% increase. Early 2025 data indicates that home renovation materials are showing consistent price increases of 1.7% so far this year. Because nearly every common home renovation material has become more expensive, homeowners who delay projects may ultimately pay even more. As of April, prices are already up 1.7% year to date.
Among specific categories, aluminum products, such as mill shapes used in windows, siding, and garage doors, experienced the steepest spike, increasing 17.9% since April 2024. The boom in aluminum costs is occurring both internationally and domestically, driven in part by supply constraints and the implementation of new tariffs. Decorative and infrastructure upgrades also felt the pressure of significant price increases. Steel and aluminum used for fences, gates, and railings rose by 16.7% over the past year and have increased by a staggering 55.0% since 2020.
Meanwhile, softwood lumber prices jumped 8.6% between April 2024 and early 2025, effectively reversing previous yearly declines. While a few materials held steady or declined in cost over the past year, the trend for core components remains upward. Sawn wood fence stock and wood lath, materials used for wood fencing, cabinetry, flooring, and even furniture, showed no change. Plywood represented the largest decline, dropping 3.8%.
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 observed between 2020 and 2024. Hardwood lumber is up 4.8% over the same period. The metal products category recorded the steepest overall increase at 5.5%. Jordan Fleming, owner of That HVAC Guy & Plumbing, based in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, noted the industry struggle: “Right now, anything with metal in it is a pain. Aluminum and steel prices are up, and those are the bones of almost every HVAC system.”
These trends are clearly visible in the numbers. 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, which are commonly used for kitchen countertops, flooring, and accents, saw a 1.5% increase. Drywall and insulation both saw increases of just under 4%.
It is 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%.
Related: Heat Pumps Have a Defrost Mode
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%.
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 items are often used in roofing, framing, siding, and general fastening work.
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. Danny Niemela, vice president of ArDan Construction in Scottsdale, Arizona, highlighted the speed of these changes: “Even a two-week delay can cost 5% to 8% more. 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, citing real-world budget constraints: “We had three Austin-area clients this quarter downgrade from architectural shingles to three-tab asphalt just to stay under a $10,000 limit. I mean, when a 30-square roof jumps from $14,500 to $17,200 in four months, people adjust.”
Analysis reflects these shifts in consumer behavior. 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. Furthermore, 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, reviewing material pricing or discussing options with a contractor is advisable. For high-cost items, asking about comparable alternatives can help homeowners stay on budget without sacrificing quality. 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. The analysis reflects wholesale price trends, not what you would 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.
