SANTO DOMINGO.- Comparing the results of February 2025 with those of the same month in 2024, the Direct Housing Construction Cost Index (ICDV) has shown an increase of 5.85%, according to the monthly report of the National Statistics Office (ONE).
According to the report, the main monthly variations in construction materials were reported in wires, nails, zinc with an increase of 9.70%; electrical accessories, with 2.34%; floors and ceramics, with 1.74%; electrical wires, with 1.47%; and elevators, with 1.02%.
The ONE maintains that during the second month of the year 2025 the ICDV was 235.56 on average, registering a decrease of -0.51 points, compared to the previous month which was 236.07.
“From December 2024 to date, the index showed a cumulative variation of 3.46%. Comparing the results of February 2025 with those of February 2024, the index has shown a variation of 5.85%,” the report states.
The publication adds that by type of housing, the ICDV was 240.63 for single-family housing on one level; 238.21 for single-family housing on two levels; 231.37 for multi-family housing on four levels and 232.02 for multi-family housing on eight levels or more.
Regarding cost groups, the monthly variations reflected an increase in machinery with 0.35%; materials with an increase of 0.16%; labor with 0.00%; and subcontracts with -0.01%, while tools experienced a decrease of -4.19%.
“On the other hand, the largest reductions were observed in paint, with -5.34%; tools, with -4.19%; equipment and appliances for plumbing and sanitary installations, with -3.16%; PVC pipes and fittings, with -2.99%; and aggregates, with -1.97%,” the report states.
The ONE emphasizes that these changes reflect the dynamics of the construction materials market and its impact on sector costs.
Acoprovi on the increase in materials
Last weekend, Annerys Meléndez, president of the Dominican Association of Housing Builders and Developers (Acoprovi), called on suppliers of construction materials to act responsibly when setting prices, given the significant difference between official inflation data and the actual behavior of the market.
Mélendez explained that the official figures, provided by the National Statistics Office (ONE), indicate that during 2024 the cost of construction rose by about 3.60% in the Dominican Republic.
However, he revealed that, through surveys conducted among associates, the market currently reflects an increase of around 8% to 12% in relation to the rise in prices set by those who are dedicated to the sale of supplies for construction.
“What we are hoping for is that the impact the sector has had will be reciprocated, firstly, because the suppliers of materials will be very, very aware when raising the prices of their products,” said the president of Acoprovi.
