Most building materials in Germany were still more expensive in 2023 than in 2021, despite the energy crisis and individual price decreases for building materials such as wood or steel. Price increases were mainly recorded for mineral building materials such as cement, lime and burnt gypsum as well as plastic building materials, while building materials made of wood, petroleum-based bitumen and metals became cheaper.

Price trends for building materials

According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), there were price increases across the board for all mineral building materials in 2023: Cement (+32.3 per cent), lime and burnt gypsum (+31.4 per cent), fresh concrete (+24.9 per cent), roof tiles made of ceramic materials (+24.2 per cent) and building sand (+21.9 per cent). In contrast, petroleum-based bitumen, which is used in road construction and for sealing roofs, buildings and foundations, among other things, fell in price by 4.8 per cent and metals by 6.0 per cent. Reinforcing steel in bars cost 31.6 per cent less than in 2022, while reinforcing steel mesh was 31.5 per cent cheaper.

Individual price declines for building materials
There were significant price declines for building materials made of wood: roof battens (-26.1 per cent) and solid structural timber (-20.7 per cent) became cheaper in 2023, as did prices for sawn timber, which fell by 18.3 per cent.

Inflation despite falling prices
Despite the falling prices for individual building materials in some cases, the price level in 2023 for almost all building materials - with the exception of wood - was above the level before the energy crisis. There were significant price increases compared to 2021 for mineral building materials and plastic building supplies.

Energy-intensive building materials rise in price
Energy-intensive building materials such as flat glass increased in price by 26.8 per cent. Interior fittings also cost more in 2023: prices for parquet flooring, wallpaper, carpets and textile floor coverings, fittings and paints were more expensive compared to 2021. Insulation and lightweight building boards rose by 25.1 per cent.

Mixed price trends for metals
Metals became 18.6 per cent more expensive on average in 2023 compared to 2021. There were significant price increases for steel bars and tubes or hollow sections made of iron or steel, while prices for tinplate and cold-rolled sheet rose moderately.

Price falls for building materials made of wood and reinforcing steel

There were price decreases for building materials made of wood: solid structural timber, roof battens and sawn timber became cheaper in 2023 compared to 2021. The price of reinforcing steel in bars also fell by 8.5 per cent.

Source: hasepost.de