In December 2016, prices for construction materials rose .4% according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. So reports Construction Dive.
Energy costs were the key factor in driving up material and labor costs. Price increases on materials becomes a concern for many contractors as these costs can put a halt to new projects and slow the completion of existing builds. Confounding this increase is the fact that a lack of skilled-labor has led many builders to increase wages in order to attract more qualified workers.