Delays in materials continues to impact builders

Commercial contractors nationwide appear to feel like the beginning of the end of the pandemic is forthwith, save for one big issue: the availability of materials is getting worse.   

A little more than four in 10, 41%, of contractors say less availability of building products and materials is a severe consequence of the pandemic, according to the latest Commercial Construction Index from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. That’s up more than double from the third quarter, when 15% of respondents reported that was an issue. In addition, 71% of contractors say they face at least one material shortage, up 17 points from 54% in the third quarter.