The effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are also hitting construction sites in Germany with full force.
The German construction industry (HDB) no longer rules out construction freezes for many projects.
"We cannot say for sure today whether there will be enough material for all construction sites in Germany," explained HDB General Manager Tim-Oliver Müller on Friday.
Just a few days ago, the industry assumed that the rising prices were mainly due to concerns about impending supply bottlenecks and further sanctions.
"Today, however, we know that the steel producers have to cut back their production," emphasized Müller.
"In addition, large refineries have announced that they will have to significantly reduce their bitumen production, which is urgently needed for road construction, in the short term."
In some cases, even deliveries such as screws and nails no longer arrive in Germany due to sanctions.
Müller warned: "We should already be asking ourselves which projects we have to discontinue and which we cannot do without." The crisis on the building materials market has already announced itself in the past few days.
You've seen big price increases - for steel, bitumen and aluminum, for example.
The material suppliers therefore no longer made any binding offers.
“In some cases, prices are only guaranteed on an hourly basis.
It is therefore impossible to seriously calculate and submit offers as has been the case up to now.”
In current contracts, the companies cannot pass on the price increases, which, according to the HDB, leads to a major economic risk.
"They are left with the additional costs." It would help to agree so-called price escalation clauses for all contracts - and thus the assumption of incalculably increased additional costs by the client.
If the situation persists, projects would slip into the red.
Then short-term construction stops cannot be ruled out, said Müller.
"We are in contact with the board members of the major clients, such as Deutsche Bahn or Autobahn GmbH." The industry is urgently waiting for a concrete determination from the Federal Ministry of Transport.