Verisk Industry Trends for 1st Quarter 2019

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 last quarter of 2018, Xactware observed cost increases to several material categories. The most significant quarterly change occurred in lumber material costs which decreased 5.16 percent over the quarter and 1.14 percent since January 2018. The most significant annual change occurred in carpet material costs which increased 4.52 percent over the year; however, it showed no change over the last quarter of 2018.

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 0.86 percent cost decrease in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a 2.42 percent cost increase since January 2018.

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 10.17 percent since January 2018 and 2.47 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 fourth quarter of 2018, the index showed a 1 percent cost increase. Between January 2018 and January 2019, the index showed a 4.1 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 0.12 percent in the last quarter of 2018 and a 2.92 percent increase since January 2018.

Fuel Costs

Fuel costs are extremely volatile and are a factor in item pricing. Low oil prices can push down the price of some raw materials. Since January 2018, fuel prices decreased 10.08 percent and they dropped 20.32 percent over the last 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 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.