By: Carolyn Mello
Special for El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Direct Cost Index for Housing Construction (ICDV) registered an increase during the month of February 2026, showing a moderate upward trend in the costs of the construction sector in the Dominican Republic, according to the report published by the National Statistics Office.
According to the report, it stood at 237.81 points, representing an increase of 0.38 points compared to January 2026, when it reached 237.42.
This record shows different levels of growth depending on the period analyzed, with a monthly variation of +0.16%, a cumulative variation (since December 2025) of +0.69%, and an interim variation of +0.95%. These results reflect a sustained, albeit moderate, increase in the direct costs associated with housing construction.
Behavior according to housing type
The report highlights that costs varied depending on the type of building, with single-family homes being the most expensive:
- Single-family home on one level: 244.88
- Two-story single-family home: 239.85
- Four-level multifamily building: 233.39
- Multifamily building with eight levels or more: 233.10
This shows that single-family homes continue to have higher costs compared to multi-family buildings.
Main factors of variation
Among the factors that contributed to the increase in the index were subcontracts, with an increase of 0.38%, while materials showed an increase of 0.17%
According to the report, increases in subcontracts and materials were the main drivers of the monthly increase, while the decrease in machinery helped to moderate overall growth.
Likewise, some specific inputs registered notable increases, such as electrical wires (6.04%) and carpentry services (2.22%), among others.
It is worth noting that the ICDV is a statistical tool that measures the monthly evolution of direct construction costs in the National District and Santo Domingo province. This index excludes indirect costs such as land, permits, and financing, focusing solely on construction inputs and processes.
In short, the ICDV report from February 2026 confirms that construction costs in the Dominican Republic continue to rise, albeit at a moderate pace. This trend is primarily driven by the increased cost of materials and specialized services, which could impact both real estate developers and homebuyers in the short and medium term.
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