The cost of construction is going through the roof as tradies struggle to get their hands on basic materials - with lead times stretching well into the second half of the year.
As the squeeze on freight and supply chains rolls on thanks to Covid and people stock piling supplies.
And if that's not challenge enough. Stolen tools and building supplies are being traded for drugs, according to police.
In Bay of Plenty thefts from construction sites and tradespeople's vehicles are on the rise. The spoils are worth thousands and can be hard to trace.
Now companies and workers are being asked to brand their items with their drivers licence number to help police track them back.
Tauranga Police Inspector Zane Smith describes the size of the problem.
