SCAD issues its monthly report on prices of building materials for February 2013

The dissemination of this important report, which presents a wide range of price data, is intended to serve the needs of data users in the public and private sectors for the purposes of research, planning and decision making in ways that support the construction sector as well as related and dependent sectors.

Building materials prices: February/January 2013
Compared with January 2013, building materials price rises in January 2013 ranged between 0.1% for 'Wires for small building' and 4.0% for 'Bathroom set without accessories', while price falls ranged between 0.5% for 'Wires for residential towers' and 7.0% for 'Construction labour costs'.

Construction labour costs
According to SCAD's report, average 'construction labour costs' declined by 7.0% in February compared with January 2013, reflecting falls in wages, ranging from 4.0% for 'Drivers' to 12.5% for 'Helpers'.

Sanitary ware
As SCAD's report finds, the average prices of 'Bathroom sets without accessories' and 'Stainless sink with mixer' subgroups increased by 4.0% each, during January 2013, while the average prices of the 'Bathroom sets with accessories' 'subgroup remained unchanged in February 2013 compared with January 2013.

Glass
The average prices of the 'Glass' group advanced 1.4% in February compared with January 2013.

Steel
The average prices of the 'Steel' group declined by a slight 0.7% in February 2013 compared with the previous month.

Waterproofing Products
The 'Waterproofing Products' group prices edged up 0.7% in February 2013 compared with January 2013.

Power cable
The average prices of 'Power cable' increased by a slight 0.2% MoM in February 2013, as a result of increases in all items within this group.

Paints
The average price of the Paints group decreased by 1.7% in February 2013 compared with January 2013, as a result of decrease in the price of 'Mamorex Fenomastic Plastic Emulsion/U.A.E' by 10.0%.

Building materials prices: February 2013/2012
Lower prices were recorded for 13 groups of building materials during February 2013 compared with February 2012. Decreases ranged between 1.0% for '(PVC) Pipes' and 15.1% for 'Residential tower wires'.

Wires
According to SCAD's monthly report, the average prices of 'Wires' retreated significantly in February 2013 compared with February 2012. Price falls in this group were led by 'Wires for residential towers', which tumbled 15.1%, followed by 'Wires for apartments' (down 11.1%) and 'Wires for small buildings' (down 6.6%).

Concrete
The average prices of 'Concrete' decreased by 6.2% in February 2013 compared with February 2012.

Construction labour costs
Average 'Construction labour costs' declined 10.0% in February 2013 compared with February 2012 reflecting lower wages for most of the trades under this group, except for 'Electricians' and 'Surveyors', for whom wages remained generally stable compared with February 2013.

Aggregates and sand
SCAD reported a fall of 3.6% in the average YoY price of 'Aggregates and sand' in February 2013. Price falls within this group ranged between 3.4% and 9.1% compared with February 2012.

Rises in building materials prices in February 2013 compared with February 2012
Glass
The average prices of the 'Glass' group increased by 14.7% in February 2013 compared with February 2012.

Sanitary ware
As SCAD's report finds, the average prices of 'Bathroom sets without accessories' and 'Bathroom sets with accessories' subgroups increased by 14.6% and 9.0% YoY respectively, during February 2013, while the average prices of the 'Single bowl stainless steel sinks with mixer' subgroup decreased by 1.0% compared with February 2012.

Construction labour costs
Average 'Construction labour costs' increased by 6.9% in January 2013 compared with January 2012 reflecting increases in the range of 11.1% to 16.7% in most of the items falling under this group during the period under review.

Waterproofing products
The average price 'Waterproofing products' increased by 7.9% in February 2013 compared with February 2012, as most items in the group recorded increases in the range of 2.7-25.0%.

SCAD's report monitors the prices of 21 groups of building materials
SCAD's monthly report of building materials prices report surveys the prices of 21 groups of commodities and services that represent the most important materials used in the construction activity, including cement, aggregate, sand, wood, steel, concrete, cement blocks, etc.

SCAD has published this report since 2008. The report data are collected by the Centre's field staff on a monthly basis, in line with the directives of the emirate's leadership for the development of economic sectors and support of their stability in all areas of interest to decision makers, policy planners, researchers, etc.