Materials Costs Continue to Climb

The prices contractors must pay for many essential construction materials continued to increase in January, even as the amount they charge for completed projects remains flat, according to an analysis of January producer price index figures released Wednesday by AGC. Association officials noted that the price trends are cutting into already tight bottom lines for contractors, undermining chances for an industry-wide recovery in 2011. Read the full press release here. Read more about the effects of rising materials prices in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, or more coverage in Business Week/Bloomberg,  Maryland Gazette and Augusta Chronicle.