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…
Concrete Sand
Concrete Sand prices are up +3.1% since last month and are up +50.81% over the past twelve months rising at a rapid clip to new record highs continuing to be plagued by global supply shortages as does Masonry Sand (chart below). See Stanford geographer and environmental scientist Eric Lambin’s conversation on the sand shortage crisis below.
https://news.stanford.edu/2022/07/26/four-questions-eric-lambin-sand-shortage/
Masonary Sand
Although Masonry Sand has not risen at the same parabolic rate as Concrete Sand it nonetheless is up +2.1% month over month and +27% since last November.
Ashphalt Paving
The ENR 20-City Average Price of Cutback MC800 Ashphalt Paving per/ton registered a new record high this summer but the rate at which prices had risen is slowing. Prices remain up +3.7% over the past 12 months.
Crushed Stone
The ENR 20-City Average Price of Crushed Stone / Base course has marked a new high in November and is up+2.1% over last month and is up +22% since this time last year.
Portland Cement
After reaching a record high Portland Cement prices had experienced a shallow pullback in October but are hooking higher (up +0.7% MOM). Over the past twelve months prices are up +14.40%.
Concrete Ready Mix
With the rise in Concrete Sand prices so goes the price of Concrete Ready Mix (although not at the same rapid pace because other aggregates are often in the mix). The 20-City Average Pice of Ready Mix Concrete fell slightly this month (down -0.4%) but remains up +7.2% since last November.
Concrete Block
The ENR 20-City Average Price of Lightweight Concrete Block registered a new high three months ago is up +9.39% over the past twelve months.
PVC Pipe
The ENR 20-City Average Price of 8” PVC Water Pipe notched another new high this month and is up +29.89% since last November.
Reinforced Concrete Pipe
The parabolic rise in 36” Reinforced Concrete Pipe remains unabated up +2.2% since last month and (pardon the adjective) a “whopping” +41.6% over the past twelve months.
Ductile Iron Pipe
The ENR 20-City Average Price of 8” Ductile Iron Pipe also registered a new price high this month. Over the past twelve months it is up +25.67%.
Copper Water Tubing
The ENR 20-City Average Price of 1 1/2” Copper Water Tubing rate of change continues to drop and prices pulled back slightly this month but nonetheless it is up +18.32% since this time last year.
Corrugated Steel Pipe
After a period of static prices the 20-City Average of 36” Corrugated Steel Pipe Prices have marched to a new record high of $41.84 per/ft this month and are up +5.28% over the past twelve months.
Data is coutesy 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 two to three weeks when new data is available.
