The True Cost of Waiting: Why Now Is the Best Time for Your Outdoor Living Project

If you've been dreaming about a sunroom, a beautiful new deck, or a comfortable three-season room for your Maryland home, you're probably familiar with the internal debate: "Should I wait for prices to come down?" or "Maybe I'll find a better deal next year."

Here's the hard truth that most homeowners don't realize until it's too late: waiting is costing you money every single day. The construction industry has fundamentally changed since 2019, and the data tells a story that every homeowner considering an outdoor living project needs to understand.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you exactly what's happened to construction costs, why they're not going back to pre-pandemic levels, and why choosing a cut-rate solution from a big box store could end up being the most expensive decision you ever make.

The Reality of Construction Costs: 2019 vs. Today

Let's start with the numbers that every homeowner needs to see. If you've been holding off on your outdoor living project hoping prices would return to "normal," the data paints a clear picture of why that strategy is backfiring.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, construction costs now account for 64.4% of the average price of a new home—a record high since they began tracking this data in 1998. This represents a significant jump from 60.8% in just 2022.

The NC Housing Finance Agency reports that construction costs have increased 33% since 2019, outpacing even the significant general inflation we've experienced. Material prices remain 39% higher than pre-pandemic levels according to industry data from the Dodge Construction Network.

What Drove These Increases?

Several factors combined to create the perfect storm that permanently reset construction costs:

• Supply Chain Disruptions: The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, causing material shortages and price spikes that have never fully corrected.
• Labor Market Pressures: Construction wages have increased approximately 4.3% year-over-year, and the industry needs 454,000 new workers annually on top of normal hiring demands just to keep up.
• Broad Economic Inflation: Overall inflation from January 2019 to January 2024 reached 22.5%, affecting everything from raw materials to fuel costs.
• Material Price Volatility: While lumber has largely stabilized, other key materials like steel, copper, cement, and electrical components remain elevated.

Why Waiting Costs You More Than You Think

Many homeowners believe they're being financially savvy by waiting for the "right time" to invest in their outdoor living space. But let's break down what waiting actually costs you:

The Math of Waiting

Let's say you're considering a $40,000 sunroom or three-season room project. Here's what happens when you wait:

Based on JLL's 2025 Construction Outlook projecting 5-7% annual cost growth, waiting three years could cost you an additional $6,000 to $9,000 on a $40,000 project. That's money that buys you absolutely nothing except delay.

The Hidden Costs of Waiting

Beyond the direct price increases, waiting costs you in ways that don't show up on any invoice:

• Lost Use and Enjoyment: Every season that passes is another season you can't enjoy your outdoor living space with family and friends. Those memories have real value.
• Home Value Growth: A quality sunroom or deck addition increases your home's value immediately. Waiting means delaying that equity gain.
• Energy Costs: If you're considering a sunroom to add passive solar heating or reduce HVAC strain, every winter you wait is another season of higher energy bills.
• Quality of Life: That morning coffee in a sunlit room, those family gatherings on a beautiful deck—these aren't luxuries you can get back later.

The 2025-2026 Outlook: What Industry Experts Predict

If you're hoping construction costs will suddenly drop, here's what the industry's leading analysts are predicting:

Factors That Will Continue Driving Costs Up

Several forces are poised to maintain upward pressure on construction costs:

• Tariffs and Trade Policy: New tariff policies on lumber, cement, and steel from major trading partners could push material costs significantly higher.
• Labor Shortages: The construction industry faces a critical shortage of skilled workers, with NAHB estimating approximately 723,000 new workers needed annually just to meet demand.
• Infrastructure Investment: Massive infrastructure projects across the country are competing for the same materials and labor, driving prices up across all construction sectors.
• Building Code Updates: Evolving energy efficiency requirements and building codes are adding costs to projects across the board.

The Big Box Store Myth: Why "Cheaper" Isn't Better

Faced with rising costs, some homeowners turn to big box stores like Home Depot or Lowe's, thinking they've found a shortcut to savings. But this "cheap" alternative often turns into the most expensive mistake you can make.

The Subcontractor Roulette Problem

Here's something most homeowners don't realize: Home Depot and Lowe's don't employ installation teams. When you sign up for their installation services, they farm out your project to third-party subcontractors—often whoever offers the lowest bid.

This creates a troubling dynamic:

• You don't choose your installer. The store assigns whoever is available, regardless of their specific expertise in your type of project.
• Quality varies dramatically. Customer reviews for big box installation services range from 2.5 to 4 out of 5 stars, with most complaints focusing on installer competence.
• Accountability disappears. When problems arise, you're caught between the store and the contractor, with each pointing fingers at the other.

The "Walmart Effect" on Quality

Big box stores compete primarily on price. This creates what industry experts call the "Walmart Effect"—manufacturers are pressured to create cheaper versions of their products specifically for these retailers.

According to industry testing, materials sold through big box stores often differ from professional-grade versions:

• Formulations may be "watered down" to hit price points
• Warranties are often less robust
• Missing parts and inconsistent batches are common complaints
• Professional installers often refuse to use big box materials because they know the quality difference

The Hidden Costs of "Cheap"

That initial lower quote from a big box store often balloons once the project begins:

• Change Orders: Subcontractors quote based on "perfect scenarios" that rarely exist. Expect add-ons for anything unexpected.
• Repair Costs: Poor installation often leads to problems within the first few years—water intrusion, structural issues, premature wear.
• Warranty Nightmares: When problems arise, warranties split between product and installation create finger-pointing that leaves you holding the bag.
• Shortened Lifespan: A poorly built deck or sunroom won't last as long, meaning you'll pay to replace it sooner.

The Quality Difference: Specialists vs. Subcontractors

At Custom Design & Build LLC, we've seen firsthand the difference between work done by dedicated specialists and work done by whoever shows up from a subcontractor pool. The gap is significant—and it shows in every aspect of the project.

Why Certifications and Partnerships Matter

When you work with Custom Design & Build LLC, you're not getting a random installer. You're getting:

• Authorized Sunspace Dealer: We have direct relationships with the manufacturer, access to the full product line, and training on proper installation techniques.
• Certified Trex Pro Platinum Dealer: This top-tier certification means we've demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction with Trex products.
• Licensed in Maryland (MHIC #91686): We're properly licensed, insured, and accountable to state standards.
• Azenco Certified Installer: For pergola and outdoor structure projects, we're trained and certified by industry leaders.

These aren't just badges—they represent thousands of hours of training, strict quality standards, and ongoing accountability that no big box subcontractor can match.

Why Now Really Is the Right Time

If you've made it this far, you understand the math: construction costs aren't going down, big box stores aren't the answer, and every day you wait costs you money. But there are additional reasons why acting now makes sense:

Current Market Conditions Are Favorable

• Material Price Stabilization: While prices remain elevated, the extreme volatility of 2021-2022 has calmed. Pricing is more predictable, allowing for accurate quotes.
• Supply Chain Improvement: Lead times have largely returned to normal, meaning less waiting for materials and faster project completion.
• Interest Rates Outlook: Experts predict mortgage and financing rates will gradually decrease into the mid-5% range—better than recent years, but likely not returning to pandemic-era lows.

Potential Disruptions Ahead

Industry analysts warn about several factors that could drive costs higher in the near future:

• New Tariffs: Potential tariff increases on Canadian lumber, Chinese imports, and other materials could spike prices without warning.
• Labor Market Pressures: Immigration policy changes could worsen existing labor shortages in construction, driving costs up further.
• Infrastructure Demand: Major infrastructure projects will compete for materials and labor, potentially causing shortages.

Our Approach: Honest, Transparent, Local

At Custom Design & Build LLC, we believe in doing things differently. We're not here to pressure you into a quick sale—we're here to help you make the best decision for your home and family.

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