Spring is coming, and with it, a wave of renovations and new residential investments. This year, the pace may be even faster – the number of mortgage inquiries in January 2026 increased by over 50 percent year-on-year[1], and there could be even more if further interest rate cuts occur. At the same time, the government’s “Housing Development Plans 2026” program anticipates the development of new housing estates across the country, including in smaller towns and former provincial cities, as well as support for social housing and dormitories. Such a comprehensive market revival increases pressure on building material supply chains and poses new logistical challenges – from the availability of raw materials to the timely completion of investments.
Logistics for building materials today is much more than just transport “from point A to point B.” It is advanced management of the entire supply chain, which requires taking into account many variables simultaneously – from diverse sources of supply (domestic and foreign), through seasonal demand volatility, to weather conditions or the current availability of transport means and drivers. Each of these links affects the timeliness of deliveries, and at the peak of the construction season, even minor disruptions can create a domino effect on investment schedules.
Some key raw materials and semi-finished products are imported, mainly from European Union countries, but not exclusively. This means the necessity of planning for longer transit times, accounting for customs procedures, and adapting to international quality and documentation standards. In practice, this requires precise coordination of road, rail, and sea transport, as well as close cooperation with manufacturers and distributors.
Regardless of these constant challenges, an additional factor affecting logistics is the sudden increase in demand. Potential interest rate cuts may increase the availability of mortgage loans and improve the purchasing power of households. Consequently, this may translate into greater interest in building houses and purchasing apartments, and thus into an increase in the demand for building materials. Higher demand almost always means price pressure, both on the side of raw materials and transport costs, which further complicates logistical planning across the entire construction sector.
In periods of intensive residential construction development, a clear increase in order volume is noticeable. This applies not only to the number of shipments but also to their nature – larger batches of goods and regular deliveries to construction sites and distribution centers appear more frequently. At the same time, there is a growing demand for flexible delivery schedules that allow customers to react quickly to changes in ongoing investments.
– says Rafał Augustyniak, Branch Manager at Geis PL in Stryków.
Which materials are driving the construction market today?
Current market data show a clear differentiation in demand dynamics across individual segments of building materials. The greatest increase in interest concerns wood and wood-based panels, in particular OSB boards, which have maintained high sales dynamics and price pressure for several months – year-on-year, prices in this category have increased by 11 percent[2]. These are key materials at the early stage of investment implementation, which is why their availability directly affects the pace of construction work.
Structural materials are also enjoying great interest: cement and reinforcing steel, which are used primarily in development projects and infrastructure investments. Although the cement sector is gradually rebuilding production after a previous slowdown, realistic forecasts assume a slight increase in production this year, while more optimistic scenarios speak of even a 6 percent growth[3], full restoration of production capacity still requires time.
In turn, insulation materials, finishing elements, and joinery remain relatively stable in price. Thermal insulation has become cheaper by almost 4 percent, while prices for waterproofing insulation, finishing materials, and electrical components have fallen by about 3 percent. These reductions may result both from a temporary drop in demand and from a gradual price equalization after a period of drastic increases[4]. At the same time, the availability of these products is strongly dependent on seasonality and global production and raw material trends.
Differences in the dynamics of individual categories mean that the logistics of building materials must operate with much greater precision than just a few years ago. It is crucial to plan deliveries in advance, secure volumes from manufacturers, and flexibly manage transport depending on the stage of the investment. It is precisely structural materials and raw materials with the highest turnover that require special attention today, because their delay at an early stage of construction can stop the entire project. Our company transports various types of goods, including fragile materials such as ceramic tiles, as well as finishing elements used in so-called “white assembly,” doors, furniture sets, large household appliances, and boiler room equipment, such as hydrophore tanks or heating furnaces. Each of these loads requires special care and proper securing, which is why we place great emphasis on selecting the right means of transport and quality control at every stage.
– says Rafał Augustyniak.
Is logistics ready for the spring revival?
The building materials sector is gradually recovering, and demand, although increasing, still does not generate extreme shortages for most key items. Thanks to optimization, advance planning, and diversification of supply sources, logistics is able to meet seasonal increases in demand — however, flexibility and anticipating changes remain key.
The greatest risks of delays concern seasonal or imported raw materials, where international transport and changing market conditions can affect the timeliness of deliveries.
In practice, this means that with good planning and cooperation of all supply chain participants – from manufacturers, through logistics, to contractors – most investments and renovations can be completed on schedule. However, in situations of rapid demand growth or local shortages, delays in material deliveries are a real risk that requires active management and strategic decisions at the supply chain level.
[1] The value of mortgage inquiries increased by 50.4% y/y in January 2026.
[2] These building materials will start to get more expensive. Experts point out where shortages may appear in 2026
[3] What awaits the cement industry? Experts on forecasts for 2026 – rp.pl
[4] These building materials will start to get more expensive. Experts point out where shortages may appear in 2026
Source: Geis Group