materials prices

Jan 8, 2026

Tariffs and low stocks propel aluminum costs to records for US consumers

Rising aluminum prices is having a knock-on effect for the wider economy.

Jul 3, 2025

Construction labor shortages: a primer for owners and contractors

Labor shortages pose potentially significant impacts to large infrastructure projects and megaprojects, particularly those in the energy and technology sectors (like large-scale nuclear and renewable energy projects and data center developments where a premium is placed on scalability, on-time delivery, and budget spend).

Mar 7, 2025

Construction spending stable in last quarter of 2024

Nonresidential construction spending was stable in the last quarter of 2024, but contractors were uneased by mounting tariffs.

Feb 15, 2022

AGC, Mortenson: Materials prices rise again in US, Milwaukee

Materials prices have continued to rise into the new year for contractors both in Milwaukee and nationally following a year of steep increases.

Dec 29, 2021

ON THE LEVEL: Is federal infrastructure bill a good problem to have?

If contractors had to sum up the prospect of getting work from the recently passed federal infrastructure bill amid continuing labor and supply shortages, many would no doubt say: It’s a good problem to have. Others, of a more skeptical cast of mind, might add: Be careful what you wish for.

Jul 14, 2021

ABC economist: Relief in sight for high materials prices

The construction industry is still reeling from rapid materials prices increases following the pandemic, even though there are signs of relief ahead. That’s according to Anirban Basu, chief economist for […]

Jul 6, 2021

Subcontractors at risk amid ‘unprecedented’ cost increases

The skyrocketing cost of construction materials is filtering down to local businesses like Boys Water Products, provider of products for the water and wastewater industry, including end users such as the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Jun 16, 2021

AGC: Data show big rise in materials prices, pressuring builders’ bottom lines

The cost of materials and services typically used in construction jumped 4,3% in May alone and by nearly 25% between that month and May 2020, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Jun 9, 2021

AGC Wis. survey: Price increases, supply-chain problems cause project delays, cancellations

A survey of Wisconsin contractors released Wednesday found nearly half of the respondents had seen projects cancelled this past year because of soaring materials prices or supply-chain disruptions.

May 27, 2021

ON THE LEVEL: At Builder Breakfast webinar, AGC’s Simonson discusses what rising costs, supply shortages mean for industry

Speaking on Wednesday at a Daily Reporter Builder Breakfast webinar on “The future of the construction supply chain,” AGC of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson readily acknowledged that the main culprit in all of the supply chain pressure has been COVID-19. But there's more to it than that.

May 26, 2021

Panelists at Daily Reporter’s Builder Breakfast discuss materials prices, supply shortages

More than a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction industry is faced with unprecedented supply chain disruptions even as the economy at large shows signs of climbing back to where it was before the coronavirus.

Oct 30, 2019

Report: Construction costs likely to rise in Milwaukee next year

Although a steady backlog of work is expected to keep commercial contractors busy in Milwaukee next year, the city’s tight labor market could continue to drive up costs even as an economic slowdown looms, according to a recent report.