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
| Sep 14, 2011
Research shows large gap in safety focus
82% of public, private and 2-year specialized colleges and universities believe they are not very effective at managing safe and secure openings or identities.
| Sep 12, 2011
LACCD’s $6 billion BIM connection
The Los Angeles Community College District requires every design-build team in its massive modernization program to use BIM, but what they do with their 3D data after construction is completed may be the most important change to business as usual.
| Sep 12, 2011
PVs play new roles as a teaching tool
Solar installations are helping K-12 schools around the country save money and teach students the intricacies of renewable energy sources.
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| Sep 12, 2011
Putting a stamp on USPS's first green roof
The Morgan Building roof totals 150,000-sf. In addition to a vegetated green roof, other roof areas were upgraded and included 55,000-sf of reflective concrete pavers and ballast, which were also placed over a Sarnafil waterproofing membrane, and 40,000-sf of EnergySmart Roof—a reflective, energy-efficient vinyl roofing system from Sika Sarnafil.
| Sep 9, 2011
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City opens this month
Theatre Projects played the lead role in theatre design and planning as well as in engineering the customized theatre equipment. BNIM in Kansas City served as the executive architect.
| Aug 19, 2011
Enhanced acoustical design
Ambient noise levels in some facility types are trending up and becoming a barrier to clear communication between building occupants.
