Q4 Prices for Non-residential Building Construction Rose 0.8%

Economy

 

Feb 26, 2018

Contractors’ prices for new non-residential building construction rose 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Higher prices to build industrial (+0.9%), commercial (+0.7%) and institutional (+0.9%) structures all contributed to the gain.

Prices for new non-residential building construction were up in all seven census metropolitan areas surveyed, led by Vancouver (+1.6%) and Montréal (+1.2%). Contractors reported rising costs for lumber, concrete formwork, plastic, copper and fuel-related inputs. Rebuilding activities in the United States after an active 2017 hurricane season contributed to higher prices for these materials. From August to October, four hurricanes made landfall in the United States causing widespread damage.

Non-residential Building Construction Price Index, year-over-year change

Over the four quarters ending in December, contractors’ prices for new non-residential building construction rose 3.1%. Higher prices in Vancouver (+5.9%) and Montréal (+4.4%) led the increase.

Source: Statistics Canada, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/180213/dq180213d-eng.htm

Photo source: Pexels

Related Articles

Latest Articles

  • Navigating Tariff Uncertainty as an Electrical Contractor

    April 15, 2025 By Matthew Biswas These three words put me into a catatonic shock – Supply Chain Disruption. It seems like just yesterday I was standing at a counter asking for products I’d bought 100’s of times before and being told they are on backorder with no expected delivery date. Circuit breakers, dimmers, panels,… Read More…

  • Four Ways Permanent Power Enahnces Outdoor Spaces

    Four Ways Permanent Power Enahnces Outdoor Spaces

    April 14, 2025 Today’s workplaces are expanding beyond the four walls of an office. As technology continues to evolve, employees are looking for new and alternative workspaces to inspire creativity and increase productivity. This includes taking their work to outdoor spaces. Bringing technology to outdoor spaces has become a challenge for facility managers and property… Read More…

  • CAF-FCA Provides Recomendations on Apprenticeship Investment

    CAF-FCA Provides Recomendations on Apprenticeship Investment

    April 13, 2025 CAF-FCA have provided an outline of actionable recommendations—developed through national consultation—to enhance accessibility, reduce financial barriers, and better align apprenticeship training with industry needs. Source Read More…

  • New Report: Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather

    New Report: Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather

    April 13, 2025 Alberta is facing more severe weather events, with rising temperatures, wildfires, and more frequent extreme storms threatening homes and businesses. Our report, Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather−written in partnership with the Alberta Ecotrust Retrofit Accelerator program−highlights the need for deep retrofits to ensure the province’s buildings can withstand these changing conditions. Four… Read More…

Changing Scene