Welcome back 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…
https://www.enr.com/
Concrete Ready-Mix prices have continued to move higher but at a more subdued rate of change since April of last year, but nonetheless, they have notched a new record high in January and are up +10.50% since this time last year.
Base course crushed stone that is used to create a solid foundation for roads, driveways, and other structures have, after a brief dip in the middle of last year, risen sharply and are up 31.81% year-over-year.
The per ton price of MC800 Asphalt Paving has jumped since August of last year and is up 34.91% since January of last year.
After a near parabolic rise in the 20-City average price of Portland Cement during the third quarter of last year, prices have pulled back but are still up 20.43% year-over-year.
The ENR 20-City Average Price of Masonry Sand has continued to rise at a startling rate and is now up 56.18% year-over-year. More dramatic is the rise over the past five years, since January 2019, up 231.13%.
Concrete Sand
Concrete Sand registered another new high in January. The 20-City Average Price is up 46.94% year-over-year and since January 2019 prices are up 251.93%.
Data is courtesy of Engineering News Record
Charts are courtesy of Optuma whose charting software enables anyone to visualize any price data. To receive a 30-day trial of Optuma charting software go to
