Exorbitant Contruction Materials Price

I am remodeling and building a new deck and replacing doors & windows. The time line from order to deliver for doors is three to four months - they claim due to material shortages & high demand.

Rip off, file complain with DACO, delay yes, but price should remain the same as before.

unfortunately price gouging happens everywhere, just need to be smart getting multiple estimates, Some of that was happening in Texas as well.

yea, the truth is...money talks, bull**** walks.   This is not restricted to PR - it's universal.   

Price "gouging" helps bring supply up to what's needed. When supply increases in response to higher prices, prices will start coming down again. Same price as pre-hurricane = long, long waits for materials.

I remember when a major gas pipeline went out in Georgia after some hurricane passed over the GA - AL border. State law said that suppliers couldn't raise prices. This led to two consequences: (1) Shortages, as companies were disinclined to truck in gas (which is more expensive to do) to Georgia when they could supply that same gas somewhere else in the States at lower costs to themselves, and (2) major lines at gas stations, like it was the 70's OPEC crisis. Both (1) and (2) were severely aggravated by selfish people who would fill up not just their car tanks but also huge receptacles they brought along with them all at once (you see, they weren't deterred from hording by a non-existent higher price), so those gas stations ran out of gas with fewer people having filled up their tanks than otherwise would have. It was a nightmare and I gladly would have paid more for some gas than not pay anything for no gas.

I say this knowing it doesn't make a damned bit of difference to how people feel about paying more and how the government reacts to such events, no matter what party is in charge.

There was an article in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago regarding materials being overpriced and setting regulations. I was in the island last month and noticed the increase in prices. A roll of cooper pipeline was double that what I paid last year. Concrete is up about a dollar higher and wood is almost double as well. As always, they’re talking advantage of the demand.

Hey @adlin,
Curious as to what you read in that newspaper article regarding regulations being set - did it seem like this was an option actually being considered? Wonder how long it would take to get something like that passed.

Hi Sara, the DACO (Consumer affairs) department sometimes freezes prices sometimes. However they tend to be pushovers and easily convinced that the prices should go up.

This affects me too, both labor and materials since I will be building a new home in about 6 months from now.

Makes we wonder how long they’ll use ‘Maria’ as an excuse to charge more for everything.

That's right Rey; I keep forgetting that you're building and not buying. My parents are slightly concerned about this too and do not want to purchase a house on Vieques that needs too much work.

Hey Sara, hope your parents understand the compromise that is to live in the baby islands due to transport and other related subjects.

Hi Rey, yes - they do! No worries for them at all

sara_no_h wrote:

Hi Rey, yes - they do! No worries for them at all

They will have less of a hit doing repairs than trying to build from the ground up like me.

Very true, but they are even looking to avoid homes that need a lot of repair, too. Hopefully they will find something!

sara_no_h wrote:

Very true, but they are even looking to avoid homes that need a lot of repair, too. Hopefully they will find something!

They should be able to find something in good condition

Also note that due to imposing import tariffs  we (in the construction field) are observing a increase of 30% on steel, solar and other materials. Many of our clients are delaying building projects till things settle (hopefully).

Was talking to some other suppliers contractors today, they said there is a lot more supplies and materials now , so it sounds like the excuse by some to increase prices is just an excuse.

Maybe it’s better to buy the supplies yourself, and arrange delivery to your contractor building the home

Spencerazac wrote:

Maybe it’s better to buy the supplies yourself, and arrange delivery to your contractor building the home

Good idea, a lot of people do that because they don't trust the contractor. They will inflate the price of the materials and maybe charge for more materials they never purchased.

Buying your materials makes a lot of sense, will save you money also.

I will be replacing several doors and windows. The vendors who make custom doors/ windows here on the island  all told me that all orders take about 3 months due to materials shortages and high demand.

Perhaps this will improve over time.

Sitka,
I’ve been waiting for one custom made window since March.
The guy said they are struggling to get the materials to make it..
Little frustrating

Gosh....now I'm nervous. I have to remodel a kitchen, knock out walls, replace and add cabinets, redo 2 bathrooms, making 1 a walk in shower only and the other a soaker tub only, and tile work everywhere...i sure hope I can get supplies. If I have to I'll fly in friends to do the work from Texas, knock that kitchen out. Son is a plumber. I also have to replace 2 of those wall A/C units, but Jim said he could probably do it while I'm moving in and getting things lined up. I was hoping to find a contractor....for the K, that's sounding iffy guys? I can do tile, but it will take me 6 months, lol.

You can find tile workers everywhere here,   Don’t be afraid, just be cautious, and keep your eyes open.  I just think it would be better if you had someone that you trust here to buy the materials for you, then take it to the contractor.

FYI. We are in the middle of a major remodeling project, new floors, bathroom & kitchen.  Based on my current experience, you are going to need a close inspection of all work on daily basis. Checking for proper tile alignment and grouting, location for water lines, electric outlet locations, etc. - details are important!   

I'm on it....i love this stuff 😜

I have heard some of you speak of purchasing the materials instead of the contractor purchasing them. I can understand that, but how do you secure them? A few hundred bags of cement, rebarb and doors and windows, would be stolen easily.

In planning our project, we went to the tile store, picked out the tile for the floors, shower & walls, sinks, shower head etc.  Then our contractor picked up the materials with his truck & trailer.  The contractor was able to get a discount & eliminate some unnecessary items.   

Okay Guys...thanks. if you have the name of a contractor you like, let me know.  I'm very specific on what needs to be done and more than likely the tile will have to be ordered in. IDK if the Home Depot in PR has cabinetry, checking that out next week when I get there. Have a good week.

HD has cabinets, many custom shops & builders are available.  Shop around for the best prices.  We went with PVC cabinets as they are termite proof.

Thanks...never even thought of that

We looked at wood cabinets in Sears, in the back corner of the display cabinet noticed tell tail sawdust indicating termite infestation