The 3rd Quarterly Cost Report 2009

Inflation Bulldozed
The drop in materials prices is starting to bottom out, but that is being followed by fierce competition that is cutting margins and driving construction costs well below last year's levels. As the recession grabs hold of the non-residential building markets, this competition will intensify.

Articles:

• Economics - Intense competition drives down costs
  
• Markets - Market confidence creeps up, but not for private-sector work
  
• Insurance - Medical costs drive rates
  
• Asphalt - Recession steadies prices for liquid paving product
  
• Equipment - Fleet owners see serious business in alternative fuels
  
• Highways - Stimulus spending not enough to spur construction costs
  
• Materials - Commodity prices bumped up as China stockpiles materialst
  
• Labor - A double-digit unemployment rate puts a cap on wage and fringe settlements

Data Analysis:

• Builders' Construction Cost Indexes
  
• Construction Materials Price Movement in 2009
  
• Prospects by Individual Sectors by Firms Working in Those Markets
  
• Compensation Insurance Base Rates
  
• Open-Shop Wage Rate for Journeymen
  
• Hourly Union Pay Scales, September 2009

Graphs:

• Turner's Cost Index
  
• Lumber Prices
  
• Housing Prices
  
• Asphalt Prices
  
• Copper Prices
  
• How Different Groups View the Market - Designers, GCs/CMs/Engineer-Constructors, Subs and All
  
• Florida Highway Costs