CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS PRICES DROP AGAIN IN DECEMBER AS AMOUNT CONTRACTORS CHARGE IS STAGNANT FOR THE MONTH, UP SLIGHTLY FOR THE YEAR

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 18, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The amount contractors pay for a range of key construction materials edged down 0.2 percent in December but climbed 5.3 percent from a year earlier, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, the amount contractors charge to construct projects remained largely flat for the month and is up only between 3.3 and 4.7 percent for the year, cutting into contractor earnings and adding to the challenges the hard-hit industry is facing, association officials said.