The National Index of Civil Construction (Sinapi), estimated by IBGE in partnership with CAIXA, recorded a change of 0.25% in September, dropping 0.54 percentage points in relation to August (0.79%). Considering the period from January to September of 2012, the rate of 4.64% is below that of the same period a year ago, when it was at 4.74%. The result of the last twelve months was 5.55%, a little above the 5.49% recorded in the immediately previous twelve months. In September 2011, the change was at 0.19%.

The complete publication of the survey can be accessed at:

www.ibge.gov.br/english/estatistica/indicadores/precos/sinapi/default.shtm.

The national cost of construction per square meter, which in August closed at R$ 845.10, changed to R$ 847.18, in September: R$ 449.99 relative to materials and R$ 397.19 to labor force.

Labor force registered a change of 0.35%, contracting 0.91 percentage points in relation to the previous month (1.26%). Conversely, materials registered a difference of 0.23 percentage points, slowing down from 0.38%, in August, to 0.15%, in September. In the year, labor force rose by 9.33%, whereas materials posted a rise of 0.82%. The accumulated indexes in twelve months were: 10.66% (labor force) and 1.41% (materials).

Northeast region records the highest monthly change: 0.42%

The Northeast region, with a high of 0.42%, recorded the highest regional change in September, followed by: the South region (0.38%), the Central-West region (0.27%), the Southeast region (0.12%) and the North region (0.05%).

The regional costs, per square meter, were:  R$ 852.88 (North); R$ 794.31 (Northeast); R$ 880.67 (Southeast); R$ 863.77 (South) and R$ 861.15 (Central-West).

As for the accumulated indexes, the South region is still the highlight, posting the largest change in the year (7.48%) and the highest change in the last 12 months (8.02%).

Change of 2.75% brings Maranhão to the top among the Federation Units

The state of Maranhão had the largest monthly change (2.75%), driven by salary increases following a collective work agreement.