SANTO DOMINGO.- In February 2024, construction material prices fluctuated, according to a report by the National Statistics Office (ONE), which highlights that the largest variation occurred in electrical accessories with a 5.93% increase, while others such as meters and breakers decreased by -4.66%.
The bulletin, which compiles the variations for the second month of the year, highlights that the Direct Housing Construction Cost Index (ICDV) averaged 222.55, registering an increase of 0.81 points, compared to the previous month which was 221.74.
“From December 2022 to date, the index showed a cumulative variation of 0.98%. When we compare the results of February 2024 with those of February 2023, the index has shown a variation of -1.42%,” notes the ONE.
It adds that during the aforementioned month the subgroups blocks and others experienced an increase of 2.36%; wires, nails, zinc and others, with 2.10%; pipes and pvc pieces, with 1.64%; cements and glues, with 1.35%; and steels with 1.29%.
Other materials registered decreases such as wood with -1.30%; blacksmithing subcontracting, with -1.91% and electric generators, with -2.09%.
According to the report, the variation in the ICDV by cost group was as follows: tools with 0.01%; materials with 0.49%; subcontracts with -0.37%; labor with 0.00%; and machinery with 0.17%.
By type of housing, the ICDV reported by the ONE was 225.30 for single-family housing of one level; 224.37 for single-family housing of two levels; 216.73 for multi-family housing of four levels, and 223.78 for multi-family housing of eight levels or more.
The ICDV is a statistical tool that allows us to know the monthly variations experienced by the cost of construction of four types of housing: single-family homes of 1 and 2 levels, and multi-family homes of 4 and 8 levels or more, in the National District and the province of Santo Domingo (indirect costs such as: land, design, construction permits, financial costs, profits of the construction company, etc. are excluded).
In January
Seventeen construction materials and related products saw price increases during the past month of January, according to the ICDV bulletin, which reported that the largest increase occurred in aggregates with a 7.85% rise and that the only decrease was in fuels with a -0.13%.
