Price fluctuations

Materials costs continue to make construction projects tough to get a handle on. "Construction materials costs took a pleasing plunge in November, while other producer prices rose," says Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America. But Simonson saya the next 12 months are still likely to show higher costs for construction than for the economy as a whole. "There were price declines in November for diesel fuel and asphalt, plastic construction products, lumber and plywood, gypsum products and steel and copper products. But there were continuing increases in the prices of most concrete products, brick, and aluminum mill shapes," he says. Your comment?