Build a Material Price Index From Your Own Invoices
How to build a material price index from invoices you already have: pick the basket, set a base month, weight it by real spend, and read what it tells you.
By Jordan11 min read
Topic
Benchmarking and Market Price Data
Every benchmarking and market price data guide from the CheckMySupply audit desk: 8 articles on what actually shows up on supply-house invoices and what to do about it.
National Material Price Index vs Your Local Pricing
A national material price index tells you where the market moved, not what your branch charged you. Here is why local pricing diverges, and how to check.
By Jordan11 min read
Construction Input Costs vs Bid Prices: 8.4% vs 3.5%
Construction input costs rose 8.4% year over year while bid prices rose 3.5%. Here is where that 4.9-point gap lands, and what you can still do about it.
By Jordan10 min read
ENR Construction Cost Index Explained for Contractors
The ENR Construction Cost Index explained: what a blended index can settle in a contract, what it misses on your materials, and when to name a BLS PPI.
By Jordan12 min read
AGC Construction Inflation Data: How to Use It in a Bid
What AGC's construction inflation data on materials actually says each month, which figures belong in your bid, and how to use them as an escalation exhibit.
By Jordan10 min read
Construction Material Price Index Tracking, by Trade
Construction material price index tracking, series by series: the exact free BLS indexes for copper wire, plastic pipe, steel, ductwork and HVAC gear, with links.
By Jordan12 min read
Reading the Producer Price Index for Construction Materials
The producer price index for construction materials is free, monthly, and usable in ten minutes. Here is how to pull a series, read it, and not misuse it.
By Jordan10 min read
How to Benchmark Material Costs as a Contractor
Am I being treated badly on price? How to benchmark material costs as a contractor with your own invoice history, free BLS index data, and a second quote.
By Jordan10 min read