Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

In the paint specialty store, I paid about €480 last week for good silicate paint (2x12.5 + 1x5 liters) and 5 liters of silicate primer as well as a can of primer, a small can of paint, and a small can of glaze. With that, I was able to prime and paint the entire ground floor plus the stairway twice, as well as prime and paint/glaze the stairs. Nevertheless, it’s quite a shock. Because then you still spend several hours painting, and you don’t have the accessories yet either – I had to replace those and therefore buy them new.

One can only hope that the companies have saved up well during the boom. Because now a lull phase is indeed coming... and suddenly the state has to step in with short-time work again. It wasn't really meant for that. A company also has to endure a poor order backlog itself, especially after 10 years of hardly keeping up.

If you have the choice, I currently wouldn’t build anything at all. Prices are still way too high and will have to drop significantly.

And how? Even if inflation falls to 2% next year, as some experts predict... The current price level will not decrease significantly. Added to that are higher wages, still expensive energy, and most importantly, a worsening shortage of craftsmen and housing.

Those who don’t build now will probably never do so.

And how? Even if inflation falls to 2% next year, as some experts predict...
The current price level will not decrease significantly. Added to this are increased wages, still expensive energy, and, most importantly, an increasing shortage of craftsmen and housing.

Those who do not build now will probably never do so.

By affecting the margin and this throughout the entire supply chain

How much margin do you think a craftsman makes who works for large or small general contractors or property developers? I talked to one two years ago when the first civil engineers came to our area. He already said back then that he only works for architects or directly for clients; with the big ones, he has to bring money. So there's not much to gain there. And with the general contractor? If they normally make 20% and go down to 15%... then you save 5% on the house. So on the total construction cost including the land, 2 or 3%. Less margin usually also means that employees are paid less. Because do you think the boss saves on himself until he can only drive a Polo? Then you might as well forget it...

My wife works for the largest manufacturer of interior doors and is responsible for production planning there. Currently, things look very bleak. This means that either interior doors are out of fashion or far fewer are being built.

Do they happen to also make solid spruce doors and have a warehouse sale? I would need 12 pieces :p