Why it matters: The higher cost of building is creating a supply crunch for homes
A number of builders have already collapsed in the last year as costs surge
James Hardie says it has seen a fall in sales volumes but an increase in revenues
The cost of home building will continue to surge this year, materials manufacturers have warned, keeping the pace of housing construction subdued and exacerbating a tight rental market.
James Hardie on Tuesday said the volume of plasterboard and cladding sold in Australia and New Zealand had declined by 10 per cent “due to the slowdown in the ... housing market”, but revenues had increased 2 per cent as the company pushed through price increases of 12 per cent to its customers in the March quarter.
