SANTO DOMINGO – The construction sector in the Dominican Republic continues to register increases in its direct costs. In March 2026, the Direct Cost Index for Housing Construction (ICDV) stood at 238.57, representing an increase of 0.32% compared to the previous month, according to data from the National Statistics Office (ONE).
With this result, the indicator accumulates a variation of 1.02% so far this year and an interannual increase of 0.75%, reflecting a moderate upward trend in the cost of residential buildings.
The report, prepared in conjunction with the Association of Housing Builders and Developers (ACOPROVI), takes as a reference the National District and the province of Santo Domingo.
Electrical materials and paint, the main drivers
The month's increase was primarily driven by the performance of electrical supplies and finishing materials. Electrical miscellaneous items saw the largest increase at 6.79%, followed by paint at 5.93% and electrical wire at 3.56%.
Increases were also reported in blocks and other construction materials (2.85%) and fuels (2.70%), which contributed to the overall increase in the index.
Single-family homes, the most impacted
The analysis by housing type shows that single-family homes have the highest cost levels.
Single-family homes with one level reached the highest index at 245.66, while two-level homes registered the largest monthly variation, with an increase of 0.47%.
In the case of multi-family buildings, those with four levels were located at 234.01, and those with eight levels or more at 233.63, the latter being the ones with the lowest relative cost.
Factors that moderated the increase
Despite increases in key materials, some components helped to contain the overall rise in the index. Electrical fittings fell 3.61%, PVC pipes and fittings dropped 2.91%, and both elevators and electric generators saw reductions of 2.45%.
Likewise, labor costs remained unchanged at 0.00%, while machinery costs fell by 0.85%, which helped to cushion the impact of the increases in input costs.
Recommended readings:
