# Contractor Price Index: What Materials Cost Right Now

Canonical URL: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/contractor-price-index/
Plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/contractor-price-index/llms.txt
Publisher: SimplyWise, Inc. (https://www.simplywise.com)
Published: October 1, 2026
Updated: October 4, 2026
Category: Reports & Research
Summary: The SimplyWise Contractor Price Index: what 30 common building materials cost this month at named suppliers, plus BLS hourly wages for 12 trades.

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## Contractor Price Index: What Materials Cost Right Now

What 30 common building materials cost this month at named suppliers, plus typical hourly wages by trade. Updated monthly.

At a glance

1. Prices for 30 common building materials at 8 named suppliers, read October 1, 2026.
2. Typical hourly wages for 12 trades from federal wage data.
3. Updated the first business day of each month.

## Contractor Price Index: material prices this month

Each price is what the store listed on its own website on October 1, 2026, before tax and delivery. For proof, tap a price to see its source page.

Because October is the first month, there is no change to show yet. Starting in November, however, a column shows whether each price went up or down.

#### Lumber and sheet goods

| 2x4x8 treated lumber each | $4.39 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/16576/sutherlands-2-x-4-inch-x-8-foot-number2-s4s-treated-yellow-pine-lumber?store=1904) Sutherlands $4.89 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/010715/2-in-x-4-in-x-8-ft-southern-pine-no-1-pressure-treated-mca-06-surfaced-on-4-sides) McCoy's |
| --- | --- |
| 4x4x8 treated post, ground contact each | $10.79 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/011003/4-in-x-4-in-x-8-ft-actual-3-12x3-12-2-ground-contact-treated-pine) McCoy's $11.79 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/12849/sutherlands-4-in-x-4-in-x-8-ft-2-s4s-green-treated-ground-contract-yellow-pine-treated-post?store=1211) Sutherlands |
| 3/4 in birch plywood, 4×8 per sheet | $79.99 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/35972/sutherlands-4-x-8-foot-x-3-4-inch-birch-cabinet-grade-plywood?store=1211) Sutherlands |
| 7/16 in OSB sheathing, 4×8 per sheet | $12.89 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/021003/osb1-oriented-strand-board-osb-716-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-southern-pine-straight-edge) McCoy's $12.98 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/23416/sutherlands-4-x-8-foot-x-716-inch-osb-sheathing?store=1211) Sutherlands |

#### Roofing

| Architectural shingles, Owens Corning Oakridge per bundle | $44.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/08015628) McCoy's $49.99 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/3903192/owens-corning-oakridge-desert-tan-architectural-shingle-bundle?store=2810) Sutherlands |
| --- | --- |
| 3-tab shingles, Owens Corning Supreme per bundle | $39.97 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/3903259/owens-corning-supreme-fiberglass-onyx-black-3-tab-roofing-shingles-per-bundle?store=3118) Sutherlands $42.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/08017104) McCoy's |
| Synthetic underlayment, 4 ft x 250 ft per roll | $115.00 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/3796604/grip-rite-4foot-x-250-foot-shinglelayment-15-pro?store=3111) Sutherlands |

#### Drywall

| 1/2 in drywall, 4×8 per sheet | $14.59 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/4831533/usg-sheetrock-brand-4-x-8-foot-x-12-inch-lightweight-drywall-panel?store=1211) Sutherlands $16.59 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/03013000) McCoy's |
| --- | --- |
| All-purpose joint compound, 4.5 gal per pail | $23.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/6144836-052303-03) McCoy's $24.44 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/7725468/us-gypsum-45-gallon-all-purpose-ready-mixed-joint-compound?store=1224) Sutherlands |
| Paper joint tape, 250 ft per roll | $3.59 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/030206) McCoy's $4.79 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/7725328/us-gypsum-2-116-x-250-ft-sheetrock-joint-tape?store=1211) Sutherlands |

#### Concrete

| Quikrete fast-setting mix, 50 lb per bag | $7.98 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/2084960/quikrete-50-lb-fast-setting-concrete-mix?store=1221) Sutherlands $7.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/040210) McCoy's |
| --- | --- |
| Quikrete Handi-Crete mix, 60 lb per bag | $4.19 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/8130585/quikrete-handi-crete-concrete-60lb?store=1221) Sutherlands |

#### Paint

| Benjamin Moore Regal Select, flat per gallon | $78.99 (https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/product/regal-select-waterborne-interior-paint-flat-1-gallon/N547) Benjamin Moore |
| --- | --- |
| Benjamin Moore Aura, matte per gallon | $108.99 (https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/product/aura-waterborne-interior-paint-matte-1-gallon/N522) Benjamin Moore |
| Benjamin Moore ben, eggshell per gallon | $60.99 (https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/product/ben-waterborne-interior-paint-eggshell-1-gallon/N626) Benjamin Moore |
| Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint, interior per gallon | $83.49 (https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/superpaint-interior-acrylic-latex) Sherwin-Williams |

#### Electrical

| Eaton BR 100 amp load center, 12 space each | $180.67 (https://www.elliottelectric.com/P/Item/ETN/BRP12B100/) Elliott Electric |
| --- | --- |
| 12/2 NM-B wire, 250 ft per coil | $163.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/8153827-052303-18) McCoy's $179.00 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/8748212/southwire-250-foot-12-2-nm-b-electrical-cable-with-ground?store=1224) Sutherlands |

#### Plumbing

| 1/2 in Type M copper, 10 ft per stick | $27.99 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/7915291/southland-streamline-12-inch-x-10-foot-type-m-copper-pipe?store=1211) Sutherlands $29.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/6293922-052303-22) McCoy's |
| --- | --- |
| 1/2 in PEX-B, 100 ft per coil | $29.99 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/121608/apollo-valves-12-inch-x-100-foot-white-pex-b-pipe?store=3120) Sutherlands $31.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/7003031-052303-22) McCoy's |
| 1/2 in Schedule 40 PVC, 10 ft per stick | $4.49 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/1000298/charlotte-pipe-12-in-pvc-pressure-pipe-10-ft-schedule-40-solid-wall-plain-end?store=1211) Sutherlands $5.49 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/6331847-052303-22) McCoy's |

#### Flooring

| Carpet, middle listed price per sq ft | $1.67 (https://carpetexchange.com/carpet.html) Carpet Exchange |
| --- | --- |
| Carpet pad, middle listed price per sq ft | $0.755 (https://carpetexchange.com/carpet-cushions.html) Carpet Exchange |
| Varathane oil floor finish, gloss per gallon | $69.99 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/3253499/varathane-1-gallon-gloss-oil-based-premium-floor-finish?store=1211) Sutherlands |

#### Insulation

| R-13 kraft batts, Owens Corning EcoTouch per bundle | $79.49 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/1647122/owens-corning-owens-corning-eco-touch-15x93-kraft-faced-fiberglass-insulation-batt-12594-square-foot?store=3210) Sutherlands |
| --- | --- |
| R-13 kraft batts, CertainTeed per bag | $64.99 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/2244135/certainteed-3-12-inch-x-15-inch-x-93-inch-r13-insulpure-kraft-faced-fiberglass-insulation-batts-12594-square-foot?store=1403) Sutherlands |

#### Fasteners

| Drywall screws, 1-5/8 in, 5 lb per box | $23.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/12123421/grip-rite-158cdws5-screw-6-thread-1-58-in-l-coarse-thread-bugle-head-phillips-drive-steel-phosphate-5-lb) McCoy's $34.29 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/973073/pro-twist-6-x-1-5-8-inch-bugle-phillips-head-coarse-drywall-screw5-pound?store=1907) Sutherlands |
| --- | --- |
| 16d sinker nails, 5 lb per box | $27.99 (https://www.mccoys.com/shop/p/12017103) McCoy's $30.99 (https://sutherlands.com/products/item/2917847/grip-rite-16d-cement-coated-sinker-nails-5lb?store=1221) Sutherlands |

#### Landscape

| Bulk hardwood mulch, Omaha per cubic yard | $24.99 (https://lanohanurseries.com/bulk-materials/) Lanoha Nurseries |
| --- | --- |
| Bulk hardwood mulch, Chicago area per cubic yard | $45.00 (https://odysseylandscapemulch.com/mulch-pricing) Odyssey Landscape |

## How to use the Contractor Price Index on a bid

Use these prices as a check on your supplier quote, not a replacement for it. In other words, if your yard runs well above these on the same item, shop it. For example, the same box of Grip-Rite 16d sinkers was $30.99 at one store and $27.99 at the other. Finally, add your waste, markup and delivery on top.

## Baseline labor rates by trade

National median hourly wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. However, this is what the worker is paid, not what you bill. So your billed rate also covers payroll taxes, insurance, overhead and profit.

| Trade | Median hourly wage | BLS code |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Carpenters | $29.12 | 47-2031 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047203108) |
| Electricians | $30.38 | 47-2111 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047211108) |
| Plumbers and pipefitters | $30.67 | 47-2152 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047215208) |
| Roofers | $26.65 | 47-2181 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047218108) |
| Painters | $23.75 | 47-2141 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047214108) |
| HVAC mechanics and installers | $29.33 | 49-9021 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000049902108) |
| Landscaping workers | $18.82 | 37-3011 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000037301108) |
| Drywall installers | $28.33 | 47-2081 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047208108) |
| Tile and stone setters | $26.77 | 47-2044 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047204408) |
| Floor layers | $27.15 | 47-2042 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047204208) |
| Concrete finishers | $27.41 | 47-2051 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047205108) |
| Brick and block masons | $29.87 | 47-2021 (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047202108) |

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 1, 2026.

## Price the job, not just the lumber

SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, with material and labor line items. Pricing is $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr, about $20/mo on annual, with a 7-day free trial.

## What the Contractor Price Index number means

In short, the Contractor Price Index rolls all 30 prices into one number. First, October 2026 is set to 100. Then, if November reads 103, the same materials cost about 3 percent more.

### Why the Contractor Price Index uses weights

A weight is how much of the final number each group counts for. Without weights, a $0.50 move on a box of screws would count the same as a $5 move on a bundle of shingles. So each group gets a share out of 100 that roughly matches where a remodeling contractor’s material dollars go. Lumber and roofing count most because they are the biggest lines on most jobs.

The shares are our judgment, not a survey, and they stay frozen for 12 months so months compare cleanly.

| Group | Share of 100 | What it covers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Framing lumber | 12 | 2×4 and 4×4 treated lumber |
| Roofing | 11 | shingle bundles and underlayment |
| Drywall | 9 | panels, joint compound, tape |
| Paint and coatings | 9 | four one-gallon interior paints |
| Electrical | 9 | a 100 amp panel and NM-B cable |
| Plumbing | 9 | copper, PEX and PVC pipe |
| Concrete | 8 | fast-setting and standard mix |
| Sheet goods | 8 | cabinet plywood and OSB |
| Flooring and floor coatings | 7 | carpet, cushion, floor finish |
| Insulation | 7 | R-13 kraft batts |
| Fasteners | 6 | drywall screws and sinker nails |
| Landscape bulk materials | 5 | bulk hardwood mulch |

Example: if roofing rises 10 percent and nothing else moves, the index rises about 1.1 points, because roofing is 11 of the 100.

The October 1, 2026 read is 100.0, with 30 of 30 products priced from 45 store reads. Wages are never counted in it.

## How the Contractor Price Index is built

1. Fix the basket 30 named products in 12 groups, weights set by SimplyWise and frozen for 12 months.
2. Read the shelf price weekly By product name, on the same page element as the price. Branch prices take the median.
3. Compare like with like Each price is divided by the same seller’s price at the base read. A product not read drops out.
4. Combine and publish Geometric mean inside a group, fixed weights across groups, counts printed every release.

We never estimate, smooth or carry a price forward. Also, sale prices are left out.

However, it does not measure installed cost, trade account pricing or regions beyond the branches read. The weights are our judgment, not a survey. Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards block automated reads, so they are not in it.

Download the data. Every priced row (CSV) (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/contractor_price_index_2026-10-01.csv) and group indexes by date (CSV) (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/contractor_price_index_summary_2026-10-01.csv). CC BY 4.0, SimplyWise attribution required.

## Revisions

None yet. Any correction gets a dated line here.

## Keep reading

- Construction Material Price Index (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/construction-material-price-index/)
- Construction Calculators (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/construction-calculators/)

## Sources

Shelf prices: linked in the table above, read 2026-10-01.

### Wages

- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025, plumbers median hourly (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047215208) (read 2026-10-01).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025, electricians median hourly (https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/OEUN000000000000047211108) (read 2026-10-01; all 12 trades linked in the table).

## Common questions on the Contractor Price Index

**What is the SimplyWise Contractor Price Index?**

A monthly index of what 30 named building materials cost a contractor at independent building-supply sellers, in 12 weighted groups. The series sets October 2026 at 100, from the base read of October 1, 2026.

**How is the Contractor Price Index calculated?**

Each product's price is divided by its price in the base month, October 2026. Products in a group are combined with a geometric mean, and the 12 groups are combined with fixed weights that sum to 100.

**Which stores does SimplyWise read prices from?**

Sutherlands, McCoy's Building Supply, Benjamin Moore, Elliott Electric Supply, Carpet Exchange, Lanoha Nurseries, Odyssey Landscape Supply and Sherwin-Williams. Home Depot, Lowe's and Menards block automated reads, so they are not in it.

**Is this the same as the Consumer Price Index?**

No. The federal CPI measures household prices. The SimplyWise Contractor Price Index, or CPI-C, measures building materials a contractor buys, read at named sellers.

**How much does 12/2 NM-B wire cost right now?**

A 250 ft coil of 12/2 NM-B with ground listed at $179.00 at Sutherlands and $163.99 at McCoy's Building Supply on October 1, 2026.

**Can SimplyWise price a job from a photo?**

Yes. SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, with material and labor line items. Free to try, $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr.

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## About SimplyWise

SimplyWise, Inc. (New York, NY) builds mobile apps for contractors, tradespeople, and small business owners. The SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a job site photo into an itemized estimate with labor and material costs in about 6 seconds, and the client signs the branded quote to approve it. It is rated 4.8 on the App Store. It is free to try with a 7-day free trial, then $29.99 per month or $239.99 per year (about $20 per month on the annual plan), and one subscription includes every app in the SimplyWise suite.

- Download: https://www.simplywise.com/download
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplywise-cost-estimator/id6670619664
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplywise.costestimator
- Every SimplyWise page as plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/llms.txt