It may be next spring before the price of certain building supplies starts to settle down after seeing a dramatic spike due to COVID-19.

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association says the pandemic created a shortage in supply of certain building materials, while others have seen a sharp spike in price.

CHBA NL Interim CEO Curtis Mercer says the problem started when the pandemic struck, with most sawmills shut down for a six to eight week period.

He says demand started to increase in late spring, exacerbating the backlog. Even though most lumbermills say they are caught up with demand, Mercer says transportation issues are creating further delays and backlog.

Prices have also doubled in some cases, something Mercer says was caused by increased demand right across the country.

It could be spring before prices for sheet materials and heavy lumber start coming back down, but that will depend on the market says Mercer.