Although ENR's cost 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 in March was up 10% from 2012's level. However, during the same period, ENR's price for structural steel slipped about 1 %. These two trends have mostly counterbalanced each other, with ENR's materials cost component in March showing just a 2.0% annual increase, compared to a 3.3% increase the previous year. As a result, the Building Cost Index (BCI) is up just 2.0% over a year ago after increasing 2.7% last year. The Construction Cost Index (CCI) is also up just 2.0%, following a 2.9% annual increase in the first quarter of 2012.
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