Drywall prices sometimes fluctuate wildly. High drywall prices during the building booms of the 70s and 80s forced many do it yourselfers to turn to faux wood paneling and other wall finishes for their renovation projects. For a variety of reasons, the price of drywall has steadily come down since those heady days, although there are still spikes. The conscientious do it yourself can find the best drywall prices by searching several different retailers, as well as by keeping a close eye on world influences on the overall construction market.
Factors affecting prices
Several factors have influenced pricing over the years. Modern manufacturing techniques have made it possible for drywall sheets to be produced at a much lower cost, and this has probably been the single most significant factor in reducing the sheet price to the point where do it yourselfers can buy drywall very cheaply for their projects. The phenomenon of “big box” hardware and lumber retailers has also helped to bring down drywall prices per sheet, as real competition has developed for the do it yourselfer’s project money.
Construction material prices in general can also be affected by events thousands of miles away, such as a hurricane, forest fire, or earthquake, which cause a sudden building boom. If drywall manufacturers have not anticipated this boom, then the law of supply and demand dictates that the price of drywall will rise. Building booms in other cities can also cause the drywall prices in your city to rise.
How to find the best drywall prices
It is possible, however, to find the best drywall prices if you put a little effort into your search. The first and perhaps most obvious way would be to investigate a number of retailers in your area. Once you have a variety of prices, you can sometimes use them as leverage to get one store to beat another store’s drywall prices. It may also be beneficial to investigate retailers in nearby cities, especially if there is a lot of construction in your area.
While drywall prices can be affected by a number of different factors, you can find the best offers if you are willing to invest your time and effort. By doing so, you can complete your home renovations or new home construction with the lowest possible cost.