Cost of building materials rises

Prices for construction materials and supplies were up 1.3 percent in January, according to the February 18 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Labor Department. Year-over-year, construction materials prices are up 1.6 percent. Iron and steel prices jumped 4.7 percent for the month and are up 5.9 percent since last January, the first [...] [...]