It’s easy to assume that the worst of the supply chain chaos is behind us. But in construction, material lead times are still impacting how projects get built—and how long they take.
While 2020-2022 were filled with headline-grabbing delays and material shortages, many builders today are still facing unpredictable timelines, especially for specialty materials, insulation, electrical components, and sustainable products that aren’t produced at the same scale as conventional options.
Global supply chains are complicated, and while some parts have improved, many of the underlying issues remain:
Even now in 2025, a slight disruption—whether it's political, economic, or environmental—can ripple across the system and cause delays.
Accurate lead time forecasting is more important than ever. Builders who understand their suppliers’ timelines and plan ahead are far more likely to avoid costly delays. It also matters when choosing materials—if a high-performance option has a 10-week lead time, that changes everything about how the build is scheduled.
Even in a more stable market, lead times are still a moving target. Staying proactive—and honest—about them is one of the simplest ways to keep builds on track and clients satisfied.
More updates coming soon as we keep tracking the shifting realities of how materials actually get to the job site.
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