By Steve Strawbridge, General Manager, Wellington Glass & Mirror
Over the past 30 years in the construction and renovation industry, I have seen plenty of market cycles. Some are driven by interest rates, some by labour shortages, and some by global events that quickly flow through into the cost of doing business here in New Zealand.
Right now, we are seeing another one of those periods.
Why construction costs are rising in New Zealand
Across the construction industry, businesses are starting to feel the pressure of rising fuel costs, higher material prices, increased freight costs, minimum wage increases, higher KiwiSaver employer contributions, and ongoing uncertainty around the global economy. At Wellington Glass & Mirror, we are not immune to these pressures.
How fuel costs are impacting glazing and renovations
Fuel costs are one of the biggest drivers. As Brad Olsen from Infometrics has recently highlighted, rising diesel and fuel prices are now creating a ripple effect across freight, transport, materials, and the wider construction sector. Every van on the road, every delivery, every supplier freight charge, and every imported material is affected when fuel prices rise. We are already seeing this flow through into higher costs for glass, aluminium, PVC-based products, and general building materials.
For businesses like Wellington Glass & Mirror, these increases have a direct impact across almost everything we do. We have recently been advised of further increases in glass pricing, aluminium raw materials, freight, and other imported products. That means the cost pressures are not only affecting retrofit double glazing, but also showers, splashbacks, mirrors, and many of the other products homeowners rely on when renovating. We are also working closely with builders, property managers, landlords, and other trade partners to help find practical solutions that minimise disruption and manage these increases as best as possible.
Why the cheapest quote can cost more
At the same time, homeowners should be cautious about simply choosing the cheapest quote in the market. We are seeing more lower-cost imported glass products becoming available, but not all products are created equal. Industry groups such as WGANZ have recently highlighted concerns around imported products that may not be fit for purpose, may not comply with New Zealand standards, or may not provide the long-term performance customers expect.
Whether it is retrofit double glazing, showers, splashbacks, or other glazing products, it is important to do your research and work with a reputable supplier that can stand behind its workmanship, provide ongoing service and support, and certify that products meet the required New Zealand standards. In many cases, the cheapest option can end up costing more in the long term.
What this means for double glazing
Retrofit double glazing is one area where we expect demand to remain strong, especially as winter approaches. Homeowners across Wellington and Kāpiti know all too well what cold homes, condensation, and draughts can feel like. The challenge is that the same global pressures affecting fuel and transport are also pushing up the cost of glass, aluminium, seals, and manufacturing.
Why timing your project matters before winter
If you have been thinking about double glazing, now is the time to seriously consider getting your project underway. If you are still early in your research, our guide on double glazing costs in Wellington breaks down typical pricing, what impacts cost, and what you can expect for your home.
Booking now does two important things:
- It helps secure your place in the winter and spring pipeline before the market gets busier.
- It helps lock in pricing before further increases flow through the supply chain.
There is also another reason homeowners may want to act sooner rather than later. Double glazing currently qualifies for 0-1% interest energy efficiency home loans offered by major banks in New Zealand. For many households, that creates an opportunity to improve comfort and efficiency now, while also taking advantage of low-cost finance before any further pricing changes flow through the market. At Wellington Glass & Mirror, we can provide the supporting information required to help customers with their application.
What could happen next with pricing
Although the OCR has remained stable in the short term, there are increasing signs that inflation pressures could force the Reserve Bank to review its position later this year. Richard Prebble recently noted that while there are signs the economy is improving, global pressures, inflation, and the rising cost of doing business remain major concerns for both households and trades. Added to that is the uncertainty of a New Zealand election approaching, ongoing global instability, and continued disruption from the conflict in the Middle East.
The reality is that no one can guarantee where prices will be in six months’ time.
How Wellington Glass & Mirror is responding
What we can guarantee is that Wellington Glass & Mirror is in a strong position to continue supporting our customers.
We have invested heavily in our own in-house capability so that we can reduce delays and minimise the impact of supply issues wherever possible. Through our acquisition of Innovation on Glass, we can now provide painted splashbacks, coloured glass, and specialist finishes in-house. We have also brought aluminium fabrication into our own business and are proud to be part of the Omega network, helping us maintain strong access to supply and better control over quality and lead times.
That means we can continue to deliver reliable solutions across retrofit double glazing, general glazing, shower upgrades, splashbacks, mirrors, aluminium joinery, and more.
We are also continuing to invest in new areas of capability within the retrofit glazing market. Watch this space as we grow and explore opportunities to offer more full replacement aluminium window and door solutions, allowing us to add even more value and expertise for our customers.
Our advice for homeowners
For homeowners, landlords, and anyone considering renovation work, our advice is simple.
Do not wait until the middle of winter when demand is at its peak and prices may be higher again.
Talk to us now. We can help you understand your options, plan around your budget, and get your project lined up before the next round of increases arrives.
At Wellington Glass & Mirror and through the wider RetroGlaze network, we are here to help guide you through an uncertain market with the right advice, the right products, and the right people.