Construction input prices rose 3.5% in January compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 3.1% for the month. Construction input prices are up 23.6% over the past 12 months, while nonresidential construction input prices rose 24.3%. Input prices for natural gas and unprocessed energy materials fell for the month by 26.1% and 4.7%, respectively. Crude petroleum prices increased 15.5% in January. All three energy subcategories are up significantly on a year-over-year basis. “While many economists expect inflation to … Read more