Home Improvement Costs Cost Tracker
Real monthly price data from US government sources (FRED, Bureau of Labor Statistics). Updated automatically each month.
Last updated: April 8, 2026 · Data: Federal Reserve / BLS
These indices track the real cost of materials and labor that go into home renovation projects, sourced directly from US government agencies. When an index rises, contractor quotes typically follow within 1–3 months — materials get passed through to the homeowner. Use the trend charts to gauge whether prices are climbing, stabilizing, or pulling back before locking in a quote or signing a contract.
Lumber & Wood Products PPI
Source: BLS via FREDProducer Price Index for lumber and wood products (base 1982=100). Directly tracks raw material cost for framing, decking, flooring, and finish work — the #1 volatile material cost in residential renovation.
Construction Worker Avg Hourly Wage
Source: BLS via FREDAverage hourly earnings for construction workers (USD). Labor accounts for 40–60% of any renovation budget — this is the most direct proxy for contractor billing rates.
Concrete Products PPI
Source: BLS via FREDProducer Price Index for concrete products — tracks costs for foundations, slabs, driveways, and patios.
Copper & Brass Products PPI
Source: BLS via FREDProducer Price Index for copper and brass mill shapes — the primary driver of plumbing and electrical rough-in costs, often the biggest surprise in a renovation budget.
All data is sourced from official US government databases: the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Charts show up to 18 months of monthly observations. Index values use the BLS base period (1982-84=100 unless noted).