Prices for construction materials and supplies shot up for the fifth straight month, increasing 1.3 percent in March, according to April 22 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Labor Department. Over the first quarter of 2010, construction materials prices increased by 2.6 percent. On a year-over-year basis, construction materials prices are up 4.8 percent.

Leading the increase, iron and steel prices rose 5.1 percent for the month, are up 14.1 percent for the quarter and 23 percent higher from last March. Steel mill products prices are up 3.4 percent for the month, 10.3 percent higher for the quarter and increased 11.3 percent year-over-year. Prices for nonferrous wire and cable also grew substantially, up 4.2 percent for the month, up 1.7 percent for the quarter and 29 percent higher from the same time last year. Softwood lumber prices increased 2.4 percent in March, are up 10.7 percent in the first quarter, and up 24.2 percent from March 2009. Prices for prepared asphalt, tar roofing and siding rose 0.8 percent for the month, but are down 1.6 percent for the quarter and 4.4 percent lower since last March. Prices for concrete products inched up 0.1 percent for the month, but are down 1.1 percent for the quarter, and down 2.0 percent from the same time last year......read more