What construction method - timber v block?

[angelboy]

I'm planning a garden office, less than 30sqm so about 3.6mx8m. I've usually done these on concrete foundations with a concrete floor then built the rest out of 2x4's but the last one I did was pre-crazy timber prices. I'm wondering if I should just build this one out of block.

What's the general consensus to those in the trade regarding the comparison of prices between the two methods today? Should I stick with timber or go with block construction?

 

[^woody^]

CLS and OSB is almost 3x as much as it was pre pandemic, but blocks and bricks are not. Cladding is off the scale too so the m2 costs for a frame may be much more than masonry. You need to cost it up properly.

 

[Swwils]

Concrete fiber cladding is now cost competitive.

That should tell you something!

The good news is wholesale wood price is now back at 2018 levels...But that's only one part of the picture. You'd hope retail wont be able to hold out on pricing for much longer, even if they restocked at a premium.

 

[^woody^]

And don't build anything that needs lead flashing!