Will building work be more or less expensive afterwards?

[SnowyTeatime]

Currently finalising our building plans and the tender pack for getting quotes in future.

Do you think building work will get more or less expensive?

[posted on Coronavirus board, but it’s probably better here]

They will be in demand following the crisis so initially more but then might level out. I can't see building materials getting any cheaper either.

I wonder if there will be shortages of materials which come from other countries?

Our building work was postponed, it was due to start mid-April. I have samples of some beautiful Italian tiles that I hope will be available eventually.

But this is very very minor compared to people's health.

I hope we will be first in the queue with our builders as soon as it is safe to work again.

I was thinking there might be an increase in demand so the price could go up. On the other hand, a lot of people have lost their jobs so demand might be less because less people being able to afford it?

So maybe might balance out?

Very hard to say though

That’s what I’m thinking, too @squiglet111. There’s a case to be made either way.

We bought a house with the view to doing a full renovation in one go, so I still need to go ahead with getting quotes and a builder booked in as soon as businesses start up again.

I suppose builders will be keen to get working again, but I hope there’s not a premium added to subsidise this fallow period (I’ll just cut back our plans, if so). On the other hand, hopefully the tender process will be more competitive if a few firms are competing for the job. No way of knowing I suppose. Thanks

More expensive definitely

As a rule, things never get cheaper.

I'm pondering this too. We just got planning permission for our extension/ renovation to give us much needed space. However, we're hesitant about moving forward, not least because our savings have taken an absolutely huge hit in the stock market tumble. But I do wonder if quotes now would be cheaper and would therefore offset (to some extent) the amount of money we've lost. In any case, getting quotes and doing building regs and all that is impossible now anyway.

I doubt things will be cheaper once the world gets back to normal. Probably more expensive for a bit before levelling off (supply and demand and all that)

I think cheaper. Can’t see the housing market escaping this. That means new builds will be put on hold so a lot less work around.

All just a guess though.