Surprise, surprise: Just like virtually everything else in the U.S., the cost of homebuilding and renovations has climbed steadily alongside overall inflation, with tariffs serving as the cherry on top of mounting material and labour prices (1). Even as the new housing market slows dramatically (2), certain building materials continue getting more expensive, from structural basics such as copper wire, steel, insulation and plumbing to finishing touches like lighting and paint (3). Must Read Americans ...