High teak

The steep hike in cement and steel prices has stoked the cost of construction. But housing inflation doesn’t end there. The prices of things you require post-construction to make your house liveable have also shot up. Here’s one such thing—teak wood.

Then: Teak used in furniture was priced at around Rs 375 per cubic foot in 1998

Now: It now costs Rs 1,100 a cubic foot, a rise of 193%in 10 years

Then: If the price of wood keeps rising at the same rate, a cubic foot of teak may cost you Rs 3,223 in 2018

The spurt in prices has spawned a market in synthetic substitutes for teak. But before you consider them, keep in mind that the high cost of teak work or furniture also means high resale value. So use of teak is not just about showing off, it may also be a worthwhile investment.