The National Index of Civil Construction (Sinapi), calculated by the IBGE in partnership with CAIXA, recorded a change of 0.24% in August, standing 0.04 percentage points above July's rate (0.20%). The last 12 months went down to 5.98%, a lower result than the 6.47% recorded in the previous 12 months. In August 2015 the index was 0.70%.

The complete publication of the survey can be accessed here.

The national cost of construction, by square meter, which closed July at R$ 1,009.76, changed to R$ 1,012.16, in August, being R$ 527.83 relative to material and R$ 484.33 to workforce.

In August, the share of material recorded decrease (-0.03%) for the second month in a row, after a -0.11% rate in July. The share relative to workforce registered a change of 0.53% and got near the percentage recorded in the previous month (0.54%).

From January to August this year, the cumulative indexes were of 2.27% (material) and 8.25% (workforce). In 12 months, the cumulative indexes stood at 3.31% (materials) and 9.01% (workforce).

Central-West Region records highest monthly change

The Central-West Region, with 2.51%, recorded the highest regional change in August. The other Regions presented the following results: 0.03% (North), 0.10% (Northeast), -0.09% (Southeast) and 0.07% (South).

The regional costs, by square meter, were: R$ 1,018.02 (North); R$ 939.93 (Northeast); R$ 1,059.87 (Southeast); R$ 1,034.72 (South) and R$ 1,025.21 (Central-West).

Mato Grosso records biggest increase

Due to the pressure from salary increases following a collective work agreement, Mato Grosso was the state with the highest monthly change: 5.06%, followed by Goiás ,with 3.14%, and Espírito Santo, 1.82%, also under the impact of salary increases.