According to CNNMoney.com/Fortune, the rising prices of commodities, plus the glut of homes on the market with prices falling, will stem the tide of new home construction for several more years.  Compared to a year ago, the price of lumber is 17 percent higher, copper is up 32 percent, and oil has increased 36 percent. T he National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2009 Construction Cost Survey says these three categories make up 35 percent of the construction costs of a new home.  With the profit margin at nine percent, builders have very little room for error.