As many know, several businesses were put on hold for the COVID-19 pandemic. Across many of these businesses were construction. Many projects were left unfinished due the companies unable to obtain the proper permits because of shutdowns in effect. Even after city officials were allowed to reinstate orders, the back logs for permits were endless.

With standard city construction, highway repairs, new buildings, old maintenance, the permit line was pretty long. “City workers, like everyone else, are completely backed up. They are doing their best to keep up with the work but you have to remember, we as a society have several months to make up for,” Omer Barnes of Elite Atlantic Construction. “If you want to speed up the process, you’ll have to pay for it,” there are many expeditor services are that have been exhausting all options to push their clients to the front of the line.

However, as time keeps moving, it seems as though the line is getting shorter and the new issue to arise is now the cost of materials. Several hardware stores and facilities have seen a monumental spike in the costs of woods, metals and even screws and bolts. “Construction can be very challenging. Like most other companies, it flows with the way of the market. The demand for new construction and old repairs are at the highest level we have seen in years,” Omer Barnes even went further to explain that the costs will come down its just a matter of when.

Between the rise in the demand for new homes, better city structures and all around general improvements it seems as if the demand for materials may never end. “The demand for materials will come down, much like demands for anything else. It is only and matter of time,” Omer Barnes stated. But when will the prices come down? The prices of materials have actually been on a steady increase in 2018. Experts offer a range of opinions, most agreeing on towards the end of 2022.