Construction input prices increased 2.6% in February compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data . Nonresidential construction input prices rose 2.5% for the month.
Construction input prices are up 24.4% from a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are up 25.1%. Input prices for natural gas and unprocessed energy materials increased for the month, rising 65.1% and 32.3%, respectively. Crude petroleum prices increased 13.7% in February. All three energy subcategories are up significantly on a year-over-year basis.