WASHINGTON, D.C. – Overall construction input prices increased 1.1 percent in January, reversing a slight decline in December 2017, according to a recently released Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Compared to this time last year, overall construction materials prices are up 4.9 percent. Nonresidential construction materials prices are up 4.7 percent year over year and up 1 percent on a monthly basis. The price of natural gas fell 13.1 percent in January and is down 31 percent on a year-over-year basis. In stark contrast, the price of crude petroleum rose 11.6 percent in January … Read more