Verisk Industry Trends for 3rd Quarter 2021

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 second quarter of 2021, Verisk observed changes to six key material categories. Lumber material had the largest quarterly increase of 44.84 percent, as well as the largest annual increase of 162.66 percent since July 2020.

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 14.02 percent cost increase in the second quarter of 2021 and 30.38 percent cost increase since July 2020. 

Labor

Verisk’s Pricing Data Services team also surveys thousands of contractors across the country each month to determine what they charge for labor. The labor cost of a siding installer had the largest quarterly percent change with an 8.67 percent increase, while the labor cost of a concrete mason the highest annual percent change with a 13.18 percent increase.

The Retail Labor Index report tracks a combination of several common trades, including floor covering, painting, and roofing. In the second quarter of 2021 the index showed a 2.35 percent cost increase, and since July 2020 the index showed a 4.14 percent cost increase.

The individual trades that contribute to the Retail Labor Index varied in their percent change over the quarter. The most significant quarterly change occurred in the labor cost of a siding installer which increased 8.67 percent since April 2021.

Combined Trends

The Combined Labor 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. The combination of labor and materials makes up the majority of Verisk 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 7.81 percent in the second quarter of 2021 and a 21.79 percent increase since July 2020. 

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 costs increased 8.38 percent during the second quarter of 2021 and have increased by 42.18 percent since July 2020. Verisk’s Pricing Data Services carefully tracks fuel costs to ensure accurate pricing.

Lumber

Since July 2020, lumber prices have dramatically increased by 162.66 percent in the United States. During the second quarter of 2021 lumber prices have continued to increase, showing an upward trend of 44.84 percent. Sheathing materials have shown to be more volatile and have increased 48.58 percent from April 2021 to July 2021. 

The Basket of Goods reports are also a good indicator of the impact that lumber costs have had on market pricing. Since July 2020, the Basket of Goods Labor & Material report has shown an increase of 21.79 percent. When framing components are removed from this basket of goods, the report shows an increase of 11.36 percent.

Since July 2020, the Basket of Goods Material report has shown an increase of 30.38 percent. When framing components are removed from this basket of goods, the report shows an increase of 7.30 percent.

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

Personal Protective Equipment

Due to the current impacts of COVID-19, Verisk is closely monitoring the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE). Since March 2020, the average national cost of PPE items increased 42.75 percent. Verisk will continue to monitor this situation and report changes as they arise. 

Where to Learn More

Annual Property Report

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

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 labor 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 the United States and will vary from local prices.