Welcome to our eighth 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…
As the following charts will show here has been very little let up in the continued high costs of Construction Aggregates and Materials…
Concrete Sand
Although the 12-month Rate of Change has fallen from above 50% to 40.28% the parabolic move to news highs has continued.
Masonry Sand
The cost of Masonry Sand is now up 30.19% over the past twelve months.
Concrete Ready Mix
The price of Ready Mix Concrete has pulled back slightly but is still higher than 12 months ago, up 4.87%
Portland Cement
After a brief dip in the 20-City Average price of Portland Cement in the 4th quarter of last year prices have taken “off again and are up 19.47% over the past 12- months.
Crushed Stone
The cost of one ton of Crushed Stone has continued to rise since March of 2001 and is currently up 24.58% over the past 12-months.
Asphalt Paving
The 20-City average price of Cutback, MC800 Asphalt per ton has begun to slow and is up 4.72% since early last year.
Concrete Block
After a brief pullback prices of Lightweight Concrete are on the rise again.
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 every one to two weeks when new data is available.
