As has been reported widely in the news, the supply and cost of materials is still unstable and general inflation will only add to increasing prices. 

Supply of some products has been difficult with merchants simply running out of stock and unable to replenish.
Supplies of cement, insulation, timber, plywood, fencing and even screws, etc. have been greatly affected.
Even paint manufacturers have been hit, both on pricing and supply, with one running out of the base material needed for tinted paint and another running out of pigments for the colours.

Prices are now subject to overnight increases, sometimes without warning.
One major merchant imposed an overnight price increase, applying it to all existing quotations (even ones issued the day before!) In this case timber was affected with some lines increasing by over 44%

My approach:
I base estimates on prices checked on the day my estimate is issued.
Historically, suppliers would hold a quoted price for 30 days which allowed for clients to review my estimate and make a decision.
As you can see, this is no longer the case.

In an attempt to minimise the impact of unexpected price increases I will now do the following:-
When you agree an estimate I will check that the pricing on the estimate still holds.
If there are any changes I will let you know immediately and you can decide if you still wish to go ahead.

Updated 17 June 2022