Verisk Industry Trends for 3rd Quarter 2018

Materials

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

In the second quarter of 2018, Xactware observed changes to several material categories. The most significant quarterly change occurred in carpet material costs which increased 4.25 percent over the quarter and 4.24 percent since July 2017. The most significant annual change occurred in lumber material costs which increased 3.37 percent over the quarter and 21.57 percent since July 2017.

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 0.8 percent cost increase in the second quarter of 2018 and a 5.2 percent cost increase since July 2017.

Labor

Xactware’s Pricing Data Services also surveys thousands of contractors across the country each month to determine what they charge for labor. The most significant change we observed occurred in the labor cost of a drywall installer/finisher, which increased 9.47 percent since July 2017 and 2.45 percent over the last quarter.

The Retail Labor Index report tracks a combination of several common trades, including floor covering, painting, and roofing among others. In the second quarter of 2018, the index showed a 0.93 percent cost increase. Between July 2017 and July 2018, the index showed a 4.2 percent cost increase.

Combined Trends

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

The Combined Labor and Materials report showed a cost increase of 0.85 percent in the second quarter of 2018 and a 4.14 percent increase since July 2017.

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. Since July 2017, fuel prices increased 23 percent and they rose 9.7 percent over the second quarter of 2018.

Xactware’s Pricing Data Services carefully tracks fuel costs to ensure accurate pricing.

Where to Learn More

Annual Property Report

Xactware publishes annual property reports that focus on key trends during the previous calendar year. To order a copy of Xactware’s Property Report for the United States or Canada, please visit the Xactware Online Store.

Industry Trend Reports

Using Industry Trend Reports, Xactware customers can examine pricing trends on national, state or province, and local levels for key material and labor pricing changes in multiple trades. Trends can be viewed by the month or over extended periods of time. For more information about Xactware’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 Xactware’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 the United States and will vary from local prices.