The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction jumped 12.6 percent in September from a year earlier despite a dip of 0.2 percent last month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released Oct. 12. Association officials note that the construction industry was suffering the most from inflation, adding that new Buy America rules set to go into effect as soon as next month will only make the situation more dire.

The prices contractors pay for construction materials continued to increase in August while many firms report struggles to get those materials delivered on time.

Construction employment decreased from March 2020 to March 2021 in 203, or 57 percent, of the nation’s metro areas.