Welcome to our Substack Blog that focuses on construction costs. Engineering News Record (ENR) history that can be traced back to 1874. The publication has its roots in two separate publications, Engineer & Surveyor and The Plumber and Sanitary Engineer. The first issue of Engineering News-Record was published on April 5, 1917. On January 1st, 1987, the acronym ENR was adopted as the title of the magazine. The charts that follow use data that are courtesy of ENR magazine that is published 26 times a year. Historical data was pulled from microfiche copies of the magazine obtained from the New York Public Library. ENR magazine is only a small portion of the products offered by Engineer News Record and we recommend readers, particularly those with an interest in engineering and construction, take the time to view the ENR website to learn more at…
The ENR 20-City Average Price of 1 1/2” Copper Water Tubing has notched another new record price and is up 19.88% over the past 12-months.
Ductile Iron Pipe is up 18.19% from July of last year.
The 20-City Average Price of Reinforced Concrete Pipe marked another new high this month and is up 17.14% from this time last year.
The 20-City Average Price of 8” Polyvinyl-Chloride Water Pipe pulled back slightly from June but nonetheless is up 32.67% from twelve months ago.
After a sharp rise in May and June Ready Mix Concrete prices rose slightly this month but still marked a new high and is up 10.46% from this time last year.
After strong gains in Spring concrete block prices have stabilized but had reach a record in June and are up 16.28% year to date.
The ENR 20-City Average Price of Base Course Crushed Stone has also pulled back slightly this month but is up 20.12% over the past twelve months.
The ENR 20-City average cost of Cutback MC800 Asphalt (per ton) has reached another record price and is up 7.66% since July of last year.
The 20-City Average Price of Portland Cement notched another new high this month and is up 20.43% since this time last year.
Although the parabolic rise in I Beam price have begun to slow, it nonetheless is up 12.32% since last July.
After a period of price consolidation over the second half of last year the ENR 20-City Average Price of Stainless Steel Sheet is on the rise again, up 8.40% over the past twelve months.
Data is courtesy of Engineering News Record
Charts are courtesy of Optuma whose charting software enables anyone to visualize any data. To receive a 30-day trial of Optuma charting software go to
The Market’s Compass will publish select ENR construction data charts via The Market’s Compass Substack Blog when new data is available.
