If you’re waiting for material prices to “go back to how they were,” I’ve got some bad news: they won’t. We’ve spent the last few years in a state of constant sticker shock, and while 2026 feels a bit more stable than the chaos of 2022, “stable” now just means a slower climb instead of a vertical spike.
At Force Builders, we’re seeing a real mixed bag this January. Some stuff is levelling out, but other bits are starting to bite again. Here’s the “no-nonsense” breakdown of what we’re seeing on site right now.
Bricks and Blocks: The 8% Sting
If you’re planning an extension this spring, pay attention to your masonry costs. Major suppliers like Wienerberger and Forterra have kicked off 2026 with price hikes between 5% and 8.7%.
It’s not just “inflation”—it’s the energy cost of firing those kilns. If your quote from last summer didn’t account for this January jump, that’s where your budget starts to leak. We’re telling our clients: if you’ve got the space on site, get your bricks delivered now.
Insulation: The PIR Rollercoaster
Insulation (think Celotex or Kingspan) is the one that always catches people out. We’re seeing double-digit increases—around 10%—on some PIR products this quarter.
Why? It’s a supply chain game. Every time a major plant has a hiccup or global chemical costs shift, the price at the merchant counter changes overnight. It’s annoying, but it’s the reality of “Green Building” regs—you need more of the stuff than ever before, and it’s getting pricier to buy.
Timber and Steel: The “Quiet” Zones
It’s not all doom and gloom.
- Timber: Actually feels somewhat human again. Sawn wood and sheet materials (like OSB) are seeing much smaller increases, maybe 3%. It’s the most predictable part of our builds right now.
- Steel: Reinforcing bars and RSJs are stable-ish, but they’re heavily tied to global politics. One trade war later, and that beam for your kitchen knock-through could cost 20% more.
How we’re managing the “2026 Pricing Storm”
We’ve had to change how we work at Force Builders. We don’t sit on quotes for three months anymore because the merchants won’t guarantee prices for more than 30 days.
Our advice?
- Lock it in: Once you’ve got your building notice, buy your big-ticket items.
- Be flexible on brands: If H+H blocks are out of stock or spiked in price, be ready to switch to an equivalent. The wall won’t know the difference, but your wallet will.
- Don’t ignore the “small stuff”: Screws, adhesives, and chemicals are all up by 5-7%. It sounds like pennies, but on a £100k build, it adds up to a very expensive van-load of sundries.
