News · May 10, 2026
Material Prices in 2026: Lumber, Steel & Copper Outlook
Lumber is down 12% YoY, but copper hit a five-year high in Q2 2026. Here's the material-by-material outlook every contractor needs to price jobs right.
Lumber
Framing lumber is averaging $420/MBF — well below the 2021-2022 peaks. Stable supply expected through 2026.
Steel
Rebar and structural steel are flat YoY but tariff risk remains. Expect 5-10% swings.
Copper
Copper hit $5.20/lb in Q2 2026 due to EV and data-center demand. Electricians: lock in wire pricing for jobs >30 days out.
Asphalt shingles
GAF and Owens Corning have signaled 4-6% price increases for Q3. Bid validity windows of 14 days protect you.
How to protect margins
- Add a material escalation clause for jobs >60 days out.
- Lock supplier quotes in writing.
- Use a 14-day estimate validity window.
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