Quarterly Price Updates January 2026

Updated material prices available now

Every quarter Clear Estimates updates the material price for every region in the U.S., for all 10,000 parts in the database. These updates are automatically available in your Clear Estimates Software. Check out how the prices of different projects have changed regionally this past quarter!

Since this is the first update of the year, we've also updated our suggested labor rates for 2026. Click here to see how to update to our suggested labor rates for 2026.

Check out how the cost of a 200 sq. foot kitchen remodel has changed since last quarter:

• Northeast:  -3.3%
• Southeast: -1.9%
• Midwest: -0.3%
• Southwest: -2.0%
• West: +0.0%

See how the cost of an 800 sq. foot home addition has changed since last quarter:

• Northeast: -2.9%
• Southeast: -1.5%
• Midwest: +0.2%
• Southwest: -1.4%
• West: -1.8%

NEW: Part Analysis “Deep Dive”

We’re committed to delivering the most accurate and up-to-date pricing data in the residential construction industry, drawn from a broad network of trusted sources. This section offers a behind-the-scenes look at the data and analysis that make that possible.

For fencing projects, the material costs of the fence itself represents nearly half of the total cost. Fluctuations in material costs therefore have a significant impact on the total project. In this update we will take a closer look at cedar fencing in particular.

The top-left chart highlights regional differences in material costs, with a north-south band running through the middle of the country exhibiting higher pricing than the rest of the country. Alaska (not shown) is higher than anywhere in the continental US. The bottom chart tracks the national average over time, showing that the volatility during the pandemic has quelled and prices have largely stabilized, though we expect modest increases next quarter — especially in the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest.

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Here are some other trends:

• Nationwide Drop in Insulation Costs: Insulation experienced a consistent price reduction across the country. Costs fell by approximately 22% on average.
• Rising Costs for Roofing and Concrete: Defying the broader trend of cooling prices, asphalt roofing and concrete saw price hikes in every region. Shingles led these increases with an average national rise of 9.4%, peaking at a 13.3% increase in the Southeast.
• Midwest Drywall Price Anomaly: While the West, Southwest, and Northeast saw price drops for Drywall, the Midwest was a notable outlier, experiencing a significant price increase of 18.0%. This adjustment in the Midwest, however, is primarily an adjustment from relatively low prices the previous quarter.
• Consistent Savings on Masonry and Fencing: Builders saw relief in masonry and fencing materials; Bricks dropped by an average of 10.5% nationwide. Pressure-treated fencing also saw a sharp decline, particularly in the Southeast, where prices fell by 26.4%.
• Divergent Growth in Dimensional Lumber: Dimensional lumber showed the most polarized regional price trends of any category. While the Midwest and Southwest experienced cost increases, up 28.9% and 15.7% respectively, the Northeast and West saw the opposite, with prices retreating by 16.6% and 13.5%. 

We look forward to bringing you new and exciting information on pricing trends every quarter! Stay tuned for the next update. If you haven't updated to our suggested labor rates for 2026 yet, you can see how to do so by clicking here.