Market trends

Track material costs and trade rates so you can price work with confidence.

MaterialsViewingMaterial pricesAre materials getting dearer or cheaper? Official UK price index, month by month since 2021.
LabourTrade ratesWhat trades charge and earn: day and hourly rates, plus five-year wage trends for 16 UK construction trades.

The official UK index of what building materials cost across the trade. Use it to price quotes and time big buys.

Price alerts

Email alerts or save on this device. Push and WhatsApp delivery are not available yet.

Last 12 months to July 2026

+5.9%

Since January 2021

+43%

Index (2015 = 100)

166.3

Price level over time

Source: UK building materials and components statistics (Dept for Business & Trade, published 16 September 2026), all construction work, 2015 = 100. The last three months are provisional figures. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

What's gone up and down in the last year

Change in the 12 months to July 2026, by material group.

Risen most

  • Fabricated structural steelMetal products+20.9%
  • Pipes and fittings (rigid)Plastic products+15.5%
  • Pipes and fittings (flexible)Plastic products+11.7%
  • Concrete reinforcing bars (steel)Cement and concrete+9.2%
  • Gravel, Sand, Clays and Kaolin - incl Aggregate LevyAggregates+9%
  • Taps and valves for sanitarywareMetal Products+8.3%

Risen least or fallen

  • CementCement and concrete-3.5%
  • Electric water heatersOther building materials-1.5%
  • Imported sawn or planed woodTimber and joinery+0.1%
  • Plastic sanitarywarePlastic products+0.2%
  • Screws etcMetal products+0.2%
  • Ready-mixed concreteCement and concrete+0.6%
Price Planter’s own price checks

See what your own list costs today · Compare your list

Material prices by category · Calculators