Verisk Industry Trends for 2nd Quarter 2023

Materials

Material costs are highly variable and are sometimes impacted by factors such as fuel costs, changes to industry practices, or natural disasters. Verisk closely monitors a wide variety of material costs across the country to ensure its price lists reflect any recent changes to pricing.

In the First Quarter of 2023, Verisk observed changes in six key material categories. Drywall Material had the largest quarterly increase of 1.64 per cent. Roofing Material had the largest yearly change, showing an increase of 17.68 per cent. Interior Trim Material also showed a large increase of 15.37 per cent. Despite the yearly increase, Roofing Material cost increases remain relatively flat for the seventh month in a row. Roofing Material costs have increased just 0.8 per cent since September 2022, compared to the prior seven months which increased 22.8 per cent. Lumber Material had the largest annual decrease of 28.76 per cent since April 2022, reaching almost a full year of cost decreases after increasing 27.20 per cent from January 2022 to April 2022, the highest peak of 2022.

The Material Composite Index report tracks a combination of several commonly used material components, including floor covering, paint, and roofing among others. The index showed a 0.16 per cent decrease in the First Quarter of 2023 and a 3.90 per cent decrease since April 2022.

Labour

Verisk’s Pricing Data Services team surveys thousands of contractors across the country each month to determine what they charge for labour. The individual trades that contribute to the Retail Labour Index varied in their percent change over the quarter. When looking at the most common trades, the most significant quarterly change occurred in the labour cost of a Concrete Mason which increased 2.67 percent since January 2023. The Siding Installer had the largest annual change with a 14.77 percent increase.

The Retail Labour Index tracks a combination of several common trades, including floor covering, painting, and roofing. In the First Quarter of 2023, the index showed a 2.17 per cent cost increase, and since April 2022 the index showed a 9.48 per cent cost increase.

The individual trades that contribute to the Retail Labour Index varied in their percent change over the quarter. When looking at all trades, the most significant quarterly change occurred in the labour cost of an Equipment Operator which increased 5.12 percent since January 2023.

Combined Trends

The Combined Labour and Materials report is based on monthly building cost data published by Verisk. It comprises a set of commonly used items and may be used as an indicator of trends within the marketplace. This combination of labour and materials makes up the majority of Verisk price list items. Tracking the percent change for the cost of these items provides a valuable gauge of the general market.

The Combined Labour and Materials report showed an increase of 0.79 percent in the First Quarter of 2023 and a 3.38 percent increase since April 2022.

Fuel Costs

Fuel costs are extremely volatile and are a factor in item pricing. High oil prices can push up the price of some raw materials. Fuel prices have decreased 7.05 per cent over the First Quarter of 2023 and have decreased 15.45 per cent since April 2022. Verisk’s Pricing Data Services carefully tracks fuel costs to ensure accurate pricing.

Lumber

During the First Quarter of 2023 lumber prices have continued to decrease, showing a downward trend of 4.93 per cent. Sheathing materials have also decreased 11.66 per cent from January 2023 to April 2023.

Basket of Goods

The Basket of Goods reports are also a good indicator of the impact that lumber costs have had on market pricing. Since April 2022, the Basket of Goods Labour & Material report has shown an increase of 3.38 per cent. When framing components are removed from this basket of goods, the report shows an increase of 7.59 per cent.

Since April 2022, the Basket of Goods Material report has shown a decrease of 3.90 per cent. When framing components are removed from this basket of goods, the report shows an increase of 4.54 per cent.

Verisk is continually monitoring lumber materials and making warranted adjustments from focused surveys with suppliers for each monthly price list publication.

Where to Learn More

Annual Property Report

Verisk publishes annual property reports focusing on key trends during the previous calendar year. To download a copy of Verisk’s Property Report for Canada or the United States, please visit the Verisk Property Report page.

Industry Trend Reports

Using Industry Trend Reports, Verisk customers can examine pricing trends on national, state or province, and local levels for key material and labour pricing changes in multiple trades. Trends can be viewed by the month or over extended periods of time. For more information about Verisk’s Industry Trend Reports, or to receive access to them, please contact your sales representative or call 1-800-424-9228.

Pricing Methodology White Paper

For more information about Verisk’s methodology for researching and publishing pricing information, please see the Pricing Research Methodology white paper on the eService Center.

Unless otherwise stated, the values reported in this bulletin are national averages for Canada and will vary from local prices.