The construction materials price index for nonresidential buildings fell 0.3% in April extending the decline since the September index peak to 13.1%. Prices for the mix of materials used in nonresidential construction prices are back to the December 2007 level before the 14% jump in prices from March through September.
The materials price index is expected to decline slowly for a few more months but be rising modestly again by the end of the year and rising more quickly next year, perhaps up 4–5% from the 2009 average.
April's price drop was led by structural steel (7.3%) and plywood (-3.3%). The only significant April price increases were for diesel (20.5%) and nonferrous pipe and tube (20.9%) which had both declined in March. Rising scrap and ore prices mean rising nonferrous product prices for at least several months. The Energy Department reports that diesel pump prices were unchanged from the April to the May price survey week.
| Percent Change in ..... | 1 month | 3 months | 12 months | 3 years |
| Source: Producer Price Index. Bureau of Labor Statistics | ||||
| Construction commodities | ||||
| Cement | 0.8 | -0.2 | 0.0 | 6.1 |
| Construction sand, gravel & crushed stone | 0.5 | 1.4 | 5.5 | 23.1 |
| Softwood plywood | -3.3 | -4.9 | -12.7 | -21.1 |
| Softwood lumber | 1.6 | -2.6 | -10.7 | -32.5 |
| Manufactured materials | ||||
| Gypsum products | -0.2 | -1.2 | 5.3 | -17.5 |
| Diesel fuel | 20.5 | -2.6 | -56.2 | -30.6 |
| Paint | 0.1 | 0.1 | 12.4 | 22.5 |
| Plastic construction products | -0.5 | -0.6 | 3.0 | 1.9 |
| Vitreous plumbing fixtures | 2.3 | 2.4 | 4.2 | -1.9 |
| Ceramic tile | -2.0 | -1.4 | -0.2 | 1.6 |
| Flat glass | -0.4 | -1.0 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
| Hot-rolled bars, plates, and structural shapes | -7.3 | -15.7 | -25.9 | -2.0 |
| Extruded aluminum rod, bar, and other shapes | 1.2 | -4.3 | -26.3 | -18.2 |
| Architectural metalwork | 0.6 | -2.4 | 12.1 | 24.7 |
| Metal plumbing fixtures | 0.5 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 13.1 |
| Builders' hardware | 0.5 | -2.7 | 6.8 | 20.4 |
| Sheet metal products | -0.6 | -3.6 | 0.2 | 9.9 |
| Nonferrous pipe and tube | 20.9 | 26.7 | -28.5 | -1.3 |
| Building brick | 0.5 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 0.8 |
| Ready-mix concrete | -1.0 | -1.9 | 3.4 | 10.7 |
| Concrete block and brick | 0.3 | -0.1 | 3.3 | 10.1 |
| Millwork (window, door, cabinet) | -0.2 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 5.3 |
| Engineered wood products | -1.3 | -3.3 | -2.6 | -14.6 |
| Metal doors, sash, and trim | -0.8 | 0.2 | 5.4 | 9.2 |
| Summary | ||||
| Construction materials (commodity level) | -2.3 | -3.1 | -1.7 | 4.9 |
| Inputs to construction industries | -0.4 | -1.6 | -3.6 | 6.4 |
| Inputs to nonresidential construction | -0.3 | -1.6 | -5.2 | 6.3 |
Related Stories
Products and Materials | May 4, 2017
New bathroom lock incorporates occupancy alert light
The lock and light combination allows people to if a bathroom is occupied from up to 200 feet away.
Products and Materials | Apr 10, 2017
Composite siding revivifies Ohio luxury community
Following severe hailstorm damage, this Sandusky, Ohio, community replaces its high-maintenance cedar siding with a composite solution.
Great Solutions | Apr 6, 2017
Phone booths for the 21st century
Spotting a phone booth on a public street may not become any less rare, but they may soon become fixtures in the modern office.
Products and Materials | Mar 28, 2017
Mondopads highlight Portland State University’s new Decision Theater
A total of seven InFocus Mondopads were used in the room to accommodate large group work and individual study.
Products and Materials | Mar 21, 2017
Product roundup: 12 glazing and daylighting systems
SunGuard CrystalBlue from Guardian Industries, 8300 Series from Wausau Window and Wall, and YES 60 from YKK AP are just three of the 12 products highlighted in BD+C's April Product Roundup.
Products and Materials | Mar 16, 2017
Product roundup: 12 metal roofing and wall products
Tapered Series panels from Dri-Design, Retro-R Panels from MBCI, and Formawall from Centria are just three of the 12 products highlighted in BD+C's February Product Roundup.
Products and Materials | Feb 10, 2017
Washbar tech: A touchless triple threat
New technology from Bradley Corp. is doing all it can to improve the public restroom experience.
Products and Materials | Feb 7, 2017
Brick system offers lightweight alternative to conventional veneer
NewBrick is a lightweight insulated brick product that is coated with a specially formulated finish to mimic the look and feel of traditional brick.
Products and Materials | Jan 19, 2017
Handheld weather device could help keep construction crews safer
The INO Weather Pro combines lightning, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity sensors into one device.
Products and Materials | Jan 13, 2017
Bluetooth tool and equipment tracker hopes to keep jobsite equipment from going missing
The Tick, from Milwaukee Tool, can attach to any piece of equipment via glue, screw, rivet, or strap.
