Drywall Prices Expected to Rise in Early December

Major U.S. drywall producers plan to raise prices by up to 25 percent in the next month, according to a report by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The price change is expected to occur during the first week of December.

USG Corp. announced the price increase Nov. 3. Their announcement was followed by similar announcements from other major companies, including CertainTeed Corp., National Gypsum Co., Lafarge and Temple-Inland Inc.

Builders cannot simply pass the cost increase onto customers, said National Association of Home Builders economist Bernie Markstein in the report. Businesses may have to absorb the higher costs, because options such as stockpiling or negotiating price caps are difficult for most builders, especially smaller companies. The report noted that drywall manufacturers have already attempted to raise prices twice this year, then lowered them again when demand for drywall decreased.