Materials prices in Missouri-can I get some windows!?

[Jason Sinclair]

Hi all-

I'm testing the waters to see if my contractors are missing something. My partner and I are looking for windows for a duplex in South City and being told the lead time is a few months and that each window could be 1k... for 35" by 45" vinyl original construction windows? Tell me I'm missing something. I haven't been ordering materials for a few months but wow!

Are materials prices really that bad? 

What are the workarounds you guys are finding for expensive materials these days? 

Happ BPing, thanks for reading/replying.

[Joe Splitrock]

Prices are high everywhere due to two reasons. 

1. Housing prices have skyrocketed, which means new construction and rehabbed properties are selling a premium. This is encouraging more building and rehab, which puts strains on supply. 

2. COVID has constrained supply. Factories reduced production of everything during COVID getting ready for a recession type environment that never appeared. Some factories were shut down due to COVID itself affecting work force. Some component materials are in short supply, so raw components may be more expensive or in short supply.

Your best bet may be looking for something in stock at a big box store. That may require modifying the opening size, but that may be faster or cheaper than waiting for custom windows.