Inflation Picking Up Steam

摘要

Although ENR's indexes measure the costs of non-residential buildings, the recovery in the housing market is having a major impact on index movement. After a long decline, ENR's 20-city average price for 2x4 lumber is up 5.7% this year, following just a 1 % increase during the previous year. During the same period, ENR's prices for structural steel has increased 2% over a year ago, while cement prices in the cost indexes rose 4.8%. This rebound in prices pushed ENR's materials cost component in March up 3.1 % for the year, compared to just a 0.6% increase the previous year. As a result, the Building Cost Index is up 2.9% for the year, after increasing 1.7% last year. The Construction Cost Index (CCI) is up 2.8%, following a 2.6% annual increase in 2014.