The cost of goods used in construction jumped in April at the fastest year-over-year rate since 2011, with ongoing increases for a wide range of building materials, including many that are subject to proposed tariffs that could drive prices still higher and cause scarcities, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials said that the new data indicates many firms are already being squeezed by higher materials prices that they are unable to pass along to their customers.
"Contractors have started to boost the prices they charge, but they are falling further behind on the cost of materials they buy," said the association's chief economist, Ken Simonson. "This imbalance poses two risks—either contractors will suffer decreased profit margins or project owners with fixed budgets will cut back on the projects they undertake."
The producer price index for inputs to construction industries, goods—a measure of all materials used in construction projects including items consumed by contractors, such as diesel fuel—rose 1.0% in April alone and 6.4% over 12 months. The year-over-year increase was the steepest since 2011, the economist noted. Meanwhile, the producer price index for nonresidential construction—a measure of what contractors say they would charge to put up a mix of school, office, warehouse, industrial and health care buildings—increased 1.1% for the month and 4.2% year-over-year. Â
"The gap between the 6.4% rise in the cost of construction goods and the 4.2% increase in prices charged is ominous," Simonson observed. "Unfortunately, the gap may widen further if tariffs or quotas push up costs further for the many steel, aluminum and wood products used in construction."
From April 2017 to April 2018, the producer price index jumped by 11.9% for aluminum mill shapes, 11.0% for lumber and plywood and 7.4% for steel mill products. The U.S. has been in a dispute with Canada over lumber imports, has imposed tariffs on several types of steel and has announced or recently imposed additional tariffs—not reflected in the April price index—on steel, aluminum and numerous Chinese construction products.
Other construction inputs that rose sharply in price from April 2017 to April 2018 include diesel fuel, 41.6%; copper and brass mill shapes, 10.5%; gypsum products, 7.5%; ready-mix concrete, 6.9%; and truck transportation of freight, 6.0%.
Association officials said the Trump Administration's tariffs pose a real threat to the continued growth of the construction industry. As steel, aluminum, and wood prices continue to surge, contractors will be forced to charge more, potentially discouraging or delaying new infrastructure and development projects.
"The new tariffs have the potential to undermine many of the benefits of the President's recently enacted tax and regulatory reforms," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. "Instead of investing their tax savings in new personnel and equipment, many firms are being forced to use them to cover increasing steel and aluminum costs."
View producer price indexes for construction.Â
Related Stories
Market Data | Jul 30, 2018
Nonresidential fixed investment surges in second quarter
Nonresidential fixed investment represented an especially important element of second quarter strength in the advance estimate.
Market Data | Jul 11, 2018
Construction material prices increase steadily in June
June represents the latest month associated with rapidly rising construction input prices.
Market Data | Jun 26, 2018
Yardi Matrix examines potential regional multifamily supply overload
Outsize development activity in some major metros could increase vacancy rates and stagnate rent growth.
Market Data | Jun 22, 2018
Multifamily market remains healthy – Can it be sustained?
New report says strong economic fundamentals outweigh headwinds.
Market Data | Jun 21, 2018
Architecture firm billings strengthen in May
Architecture Billings Index enters eighth straight month of solid growth.
Market Data | Jun 20, 2018
7% year-over-year growth in the global construction pipeline
There are 5,952 projects/1,115,288 rooms under construction, up 8% by projects YOY.Â
Market Data | Jun 19, 2018
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator remains elevated in first quarter of 2018
The CBI shows highlights by region, industry, and company size.
Market Data | Jun 19, 2018
America’s housing market still falls short of providing affordable shelter to many
The latest report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies laments the paucity of subsidies to relieve cost burdens of ownership and renting.
Market Data | Jun 18, 2018
AI is the path to maximum profitability for retail and FMCG firms
Leading retailers including Amazon, Alibaba, Lowe’s and Tesco are developing their own AI solutions for automation, analytics and robotics use cases.Â
Market Data | Jun 12, 2018
Yardi Matrix report details industrial sector's strength
E-commerce and biopharmaceutical companies seeking space stoke record performances across key indicators.