[Emergency Survey] Approx. 78% of Exterior Contractors Report "Impact" from Middle East Tensions and Naphtha Shortage. "Price Surges" and "Supply Instability" Affect the Exterior Industry

Recently, the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the resulting surge in crude oil prices, naphtha shortages, and logistics costs have had a serious impact on various domestic industries.

In the exterior and landscaping industry, there has been a noticeable shortage of naphtha, a raw material for adhesives, as well as successive price increases and unstable supply of major materials such as aluminum products and ready-mixed concrete.

Therefore, "Exterior Partners" (operated by Solar Partners Co., Ltd.) conducted an emergency questionnaire survey targeting affiliated construction shops nationwide regarding the current purchasing situation and on-site responses.

*When quoting this survey on web media, please state the source and provide a link to Exterior Partners (https://www.gaikouexterior-partners.jp/releases/20260528).

■ Survey Overview

- Survey content: Questionnaire on material procurement status and responses due to recent international situations

- Target: Affiliated painting shops of "Exterior Partners" nationwide

- Valid responses: 208 companies

- Survey period: May 20, 2026 - May 26, 2026

- Survey method: Web questionnaire survey

- Survey entity: Solar Partners Co., Ltd. (Exterior Partners)

Q1. Do you feel the impact of fluctuations in the Middle East situation, crude oil prices, and logistics costs?

Aggregate Results

Somewhat feel it: 57.2%

Strongly feel it: 21.2%

Don't feel it much: 19.2%

Don't feel it at all: 1.9%

Don't know: 0.5%

About 80% of companies feel the impact, showing that the entire industry is affected.

It can be seen that external factors such as the Middle East situation and soaring logistics costs have become common challenges for the entire exterior industry, not just a few companies.

Q2. Please tell us the details of the impact you feel. (Multiple answers allowed)

*% is the ratio to the total number of responses.

Aggregate Results

Rise in procurement prices: 63.8%

Shortage/out of stock of some materials: 41.1%

Rise in transportation and fuel costs: 30.1%

Difficulty in passing prices on to customers: 23.3%

Prolonged delivery times: 22.7%

Shortened quotation validity period: 10.4%

Other: 14.1%

"Rise in procurement prices" stood out at over 60%. Combined with the difficulty of passing high costs on to customers and material shortages, it is evident that companies are affected in both profit margin compression and supply.

Q3. Which materials/products do you feel are particularly affected? (Multiple answers allowed)

*% is the ratio to the total number of responses.

Aggregate Results

Paints/Adhesives: 35.0%

Carports: 30.1%

Concrete: 26.4%

Fences: 24.5%

Other/No answer: 16.0%

Gates/Gateposts: 13.5%

Rebar/Steel materials: 12.3%

Artificial turf: 11.0%

Gravel/Crushed stone: 10.4%

Tiles/Stone materials: 8.6%

Wood decks: 7.4%

Blocks: 7.4%

Nothing in particular: 4.9%

Major materials such as "Paints/Adhesives," which are susceptible to high crude oil prices, topped the list, followed by carports and concrete.

Price surges are progressing across a wide range of essential products for exterior construction, highlighting the difficulty of securing products on-site.

Q4. How much have procurement prices changed in the last 3 months?

*% is the ratio to the total number of responses.

Aggregate Results

Increased by about 5-10%: 41.9%

Increased by about 10-20%: 15.0%

Varies greatly depending on the material: 12.5%

Increased by less than 5%: 11.3%

Almost unchanged: 10.0%

Increased by 20% or more (including approx. 20-30%): 5.0%

Don't know: 4.4%

Over 80% of companies have experienced an increase in procurement prices, with "Increased by about 5-10%" being the most common.

Rapid cost increases are progressing in a short period, raising concerns about serious blows to the management foundations of companies that cannot absorb them through self-effort alone.

Q5. Are there any materials experiencing delivery delays or shortages?

*% is the ratio to the total number of responses.

Aggregate Results

Likely to occur in the future: 52.2%

Yes: 27.6%

No: 12.7%

Don't know: 7.5%

In addition to companies that already have delivery delays or shortages, the largest number of companies predict that they are "likely to occur in the future."

There seems to be strong caution and uncertainty within the industry regarding the future of the supply chain, not just actual harm at present.

Q6. Please tell us if there are any construction contents that are particularly susceptible to impact. (Multiple answers allowed)

*% is the ratio to the total number of responses.

Aggregate Results

Concrete: 21.6%

Carports: 19.4%

Fences: 14.9%

Nothing in particular: 14.2%

Gateposts/Gates: 10.4%

Blocks/Boundary work: 9.7%

Wood decks/Terraces: 7.5%

Artificial turf/Weed control (including artificial turf): 7.5%

Other: 7.5%

Approaches: 3.7%

Reflecting the soaring prices of major materials, construction involving "Concrete" and "Carports" is particularly susceptible to impact.

Most contractors face risks in some projects, making it difficult to carry out normal construction or maintain budgets even for standard exterior plans.

Q7. Have there been any changes in the proposals made to customers due to fluctuations in material prices and delivery times?

Aggregate Results

Partially changed: 51.1%

Not changed much: 30.7%

Significantly changed: 11.7%

Not changed at all: 5.1%

Don't know: 1.5%

Over 60% of companies have been forced to change their proposals to customers due to soaring material prices and fluid delivery times.

There is a reality that conventional plans and pricing are no longer sufficient, forcing a reconsideration of flexible approaches in response to rapid changes in the market environment.

Q8. Please tell us what proposals/responses are actually increasing. (Multiple answers allowed)

*% is the ratio to the total number of responses.

Aggregate Results

Prior explanation of price revision risks: 56.7%

Shortening of quotation validity period: 33.6%

Proposal of alternative materials/products: 29.1%

Proposal for budget increase: 26.1%

Priority proposal of products in stock: 24.6%

Proposal to review construction contents: 23.9%

No particular change: 16.4%

Proposal to bring forward the construction period: 13.4%

Proposal for phased construction with prioritization: 11.9%

Other: 6.0%

"Prior explanation of price revision risks" to prevent trouble accounts for the majority, and the shortening of quotation validity periods is also prominent.

It is clear that flexible defense measures at the site level, such as proactive risk hedging and presenting alternatives, are becoming active against severe fluctuations in prices and delivery times.

Q9. Are there any increasing consultations/concerns from customers?

Aggregate Results

Whether construction can be done within budget: 30.4%

Whether prices will rise further in the future: 29.6%

Whether the construction period will be delayed: 13.3%

Not particularly increasing: 12.6%

When to sign the contract: 6.7%

Whether desired products can be used: 3.7%

Other: 3.7%

Concerns related to costs, such as "completion within budget" and "further price increases in the future," account for about 60% of the total.

Following successive reports of high prices, clients are also becoming very sensitive to increased cost burdens, showing a heightened sense of caution.

Q10. Currently, how long can you maintain the quoted amount?

Aggregate Results

About 1 month: 47.4%

About 2 weeks: 19.5%

About 2-3 months: 17.3%

No particular deadline set: 8.3%

Within 1 week: 3.8%

Don't know: 3.8%

About 70% of companies are forced to set a short quotation validity period of "within 1 month."

Long-term price fixing is difficult, and there is a reality that risk management is being conducted to keep up with the severe fluctuations in procurement prices.

Q11. Do you expect any changes in the acceptance status of projects over the next 3 months?

Aggregate Results

Can accept as usual: 43.8%

Will restrict depending on construction contents: 23.4%

Will restrict depending on material status: 21.9%

Don't know: 5.8%

Already restricting some: 2.9%

Rather want to increase acceptance: 2.2%

While the largest number of companies can accept as usual, nearly half anticipate restrictions depending on construction contents or material status.

While maintaining the order receiving system itself, it is evident that companies cannot drop their cautious stance in preparation for supply disruptions of specific materials or sudden cost increases.

Q12. Please tell us if there is anything you want to convey to clients right now. (Multiple answers allowed)

*% is the ratio to the total number of responses.

Aggregate Results

Better to have a margin in the budget: 59.1%

Better to consult early if there are desired products: 54.7%

Better to get a quote early: 30.7%

Better to compare including alternatives: 21.2%

Better to decide priorities: 20.4%

No major problems, so don't worry too much: 9.5%

Nothing in particular: 5.1%

Calls for a "margin in the budget" and "early consultation for desired products" account for high percentages, each exceeding half.

Because the situation is fluid, they strongly urge clients to have a relaxed financial plan and make early, proactive decisions to avoid trouble.

Q13. Please tell us what you are particularly concerned about in the future.

When 45 comments in the optional answers were categorized, they were classified as follows:

Soaring material prices/successive price increases (24)

Material shortages/delays in arrival and delivery (10)

Ingenuity in measures/proposals (positive attitude/other) (7)

Impact of delays by prime contractors (housing/construction work) (6)

Future uncertainty/difficulty in forecasting (6)

Decrease in number of projects/sharp drop in customers (market shrinkage) (5)

Challenges in sales field/impact on contract rate (3)

*If one comment contains multiple elements, it is counted redundantly.

The original comments are published in the news release of Exterior Partners.

Q14. Please tell us if you have any specific episodes regarding the impact of material prices and delivery times this time.

When 28 comments in the optional answers were categorized, they were classified as follows:

Material shortages/delays in arrival and delivery (15)

No impact/Nothing in particular (9)

Soaring material prices/successive price increases (8)

Ingenuity in measures/proposals (5)

Future uncertainty/difficulty in forecasting (4)

Challenges in sales field/impact on contract rate (3)

Impact of delays by prime contractors (housing/construction work) (2)

*If one comment contains multiple elements, it is counted redundantly.

The original comments are published in the news release of Exterior Partners.

Summary

This survey revealed the reality that "price surges" and "supply instability" due to the Middle East situation and soaring logistics costs are also affecting the exterior industry.

The survey results showed that while contractors are responding by shortening quotation periods, clients are also required to have schedules and budgets with a margin.

About Exterior Partners

We operate the exterior quotation site "Exterior Partners."

The feature of this service is a "matching type" mechanism where exterior planners are enrolled and introduce the most suitable contractors by comparing the contents of hearings with customers and the specialty fields of affiliated stores. Since exterior construction is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people, we have a support system that even first-timers can use with peace of mind.

Complicated exchanges such as schedule adjustments, price consultations, and refusal notices are all handled on your behalf by 8 advisors with exterior planner qualifications.

We have set high standards for screening affiliated contractors, and as of April 2026, there are over 600 affiliated stores nationwide. Even after affiliation, we confirm the personality of the person in charge and the atmosphere of the office on-site through customer questionnaire evaluations and office visits.

We introduce contractors who can create design perspectives for those who want new exterior construction, and contractors who can keep costs down according to the construction contents for those who want renovation exterior construction.

In addition, considering the recent increase in bankruptcies of renovation contractors, we have introduced a "Reliable Completion Guarantee." By responsibly guaranteeing the completion of construction even after introduction, we have established a system where customers can entrust construction with peace of mind.

Architects are enrolled at the headquarters, and although it is a quotation site, we have also obtained a construction business license.

Furthermore, we have introduced a "Yellow Card System" to suppress persistent sales, and by conducting screening both before and after affiliation, we have built a mechanism where only excellent contractors remain.

▼Click here for other initiatives of Exterior Partners

https://www.gaikouexterior-partners.jp/about

■ Company Profile

Company Name: Solar Partners Co., Ltd.

Representative: Akihiro Nakajima, Representative Director

Company URL: https://www.solar-partners.co.jp/

Business Content: Matching service between specialized construction shops and customers

Location: Shinjuku Omi Building 4F, 5-18-20 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022

■ Operated Media

- Exterior Partners (https://www.gaikouexterior-partners.jp/)

- Solar Partners (https://www.solar-partners.jp/)

- Exterior Wall Painting Partners (https://www.gaihekitosou-partners.jp/)

- Roof Construction Partners (https://www.yanekouji-partners.jp/)