Inflation Is Moderate in 2018

摘要

Although ENR's indexes measure the costs of non-residential buildings, the housing market has had a major impact on index movement. After a long period of double-digit growth, the ENR 20-city average price for 2x4 lumber rose 6.9% in the past year. Structural steel and cement prices posted larger increases last year than in 2017, at 5% and 5.1%, respectively. Labor costs also experienced a modest gain. As a result, the ENR Building Cost Index is up 2.8% for the year, after rising 2.6% in 2017, while the Construction Cost Index is 2.5% higher, following a 2.7% increase a year before.