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
| May 3, 2013
5 common failures in paints and coatings
As experienced designers, contractors, and owners know, most paint and coating problems are correctable, but some are especially stubborn to address. Here is a partial compendium of typical failure modes and methods for addressing the problem.
| Dec 9, 2012
14 great solutions
Welcome to the third installment of Building Design+Construction’s “Great Solutions,” highlighting 14 innovative technologies and products that you can put to work in your next project.
| Dec 6, 2012
Siemens introduces new thermal energy calculator
The Sitrans FUE95 thermal energy calculator can be integrated for use with other Sitrans products.
| Dec 4, 2012
Sto Corp. announces new distributor in the Carolinas
Company will now have coverage in several parts of North Carolina.
| Oct 13, 2012
October 2012: Product Spotlight
Carpeting collection; anti-slip synthetic roof underlayment; louver screens.
| Oct 12, 2012
New HyTronic Edge from Chicago Faucets brings funky, modern aesthetics to restrooms
The Edge spout is cast entirely from ECAST low-lead brass to meet current lead reduction requirements as well as the forthcoming 2014 federal lead reduction law.
| Jul 3, 2012
DORMA Acquires Florida Door Controls in Support of Growth in Southern Markets
DORMA gains one of the nation's largest independent automatic door distributors.
| Jun 12, 2012
Restoration Millwork exterior trim achieves GreenCircle certification
Made from cellular polyvinyl chloride, the full line of Restoration Millwork trim, beadboard and accessories is engineered to look, feel and work like top-grade lumber.
