Rising Construction Costs: What You Need to Know

Over time, the cost of everyday items has risen, including construction materials used for school building projects. Factors such as inflation, supply chain challenges, and increased demand have led to price increases for materials like steel, concrete, and wood. 

Examples include: 

• Steel: A ton of steel that cost $600 ten years ago may now cost $1,200. 
• Concrete: A cubic yard of concrete has increased from $100 to $150 over the same period. 
• Wood: A standard 2x4 stud has risen from $2.50 to over $4. 

Specialized materials have also been affected: 

• Roofing shingles: Prices have increased from $50 per square in 2014 to over $70. 
• Windows: A single classroom window has increased from $200 to nearly $350. 

According to the Daily Journal of Commerce article “RLB Report: Construction Cost Spikes Are Ebbing in Seattle” (June 28, 2023), construction costs are rising 5-7% annually due to inflation, demand, and supply chain factors. 

This trend means that a school construction project costing $40 million today could cost approximately $68 million in ten years and over $99 million in twenty years. 

For the Puyallup School District, the current cost of building or replacing seven schools is estimated at $800 million. In ten years, that cost could increase to approximately $1.4 billion, and in twenty years, it may exceed $2 billion based on projected trends. 

For more details about these projects and the impact of rising construction costs, visit http://www.puyallupsd.org/bond. 

For information about the Bond Advisory Committee and its recommendations, visit http://www.puyallupsd.org/bac.