Construction materials price update

Concrete prices in May remained nearly flat for the second straight month with a modest 0.1 percent gain, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index. Steel and asphalt prices declined, 1.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, but remain at high levels with steel prices increasing 13.9 percent during the past year. Asphalt prices rose 11.2 percent in the last 12 months. Concrete prices have changed at a slower rate, with a 4.5 percent increase since May 2006. Lumber prices continued to decline with a 12.5 percent negative change from 2006.

Source: Portland Cement Association