Calculated by the IBGE, the National Index of Civil Construction - Sinapi changed 0.30% in February, standing 0.03 percentage points (p.p.) above the January rate. The cumulative index in 12 months stayed at 3.82%, above the rate of 3.71% registered in the immediately previous 12 months. The index was 0.19% in February 2017.

Having recorded R$1,069.61 in January, the national cost of construction per square meter changed to R$1,072.87 in February, being R$550.66 relative to materials and R$522.21 to labor force. The parcel of materials changed 0.54%, increasing 0.04 percentage points in relation to January and 0.17 against February 2017.

The value of labor force, on its turn, changed 0.06%, remaining stable both in relation to the previous month (0.04%) and to February 2017 (0.00%). The cumulative indexes in the year were 1.04% in cost of materials and 0.10% in labor force.

The cumulative rates in 12 months stayed at 3.15% (materials) and 4.61% (labor force).

Northeast Region registers highest monthly change

As the share of materials rose in eight states, coupled with the change occurred in the labor force in Piauí as a consequence of salary increases from a collective work agreement, the Northeast Region registered the highest regional change in February: 0.44%.

The other regions recorded the following figures: 0.17% (North), 0.22% (Southeast), 0.35% (South) and 0.31% (Central-West).

The regional costs, per square meter, were: R$1,068.69 (North); R$999.04 (Northeast); R$1,119.40 (Southeast); R$1,110.72 (South) and R$1,085.08 (Central-West).

Piauí records highest rise among states

Piauí (1.63%) was the state that recorded the highest monthly change, due to the pressure exerted by salary adjustments from a collective work agreement.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF COSTS SURVEY AND INDEXES OF CONSTRUCTION

January/2018 considering the exemption in the payroll of the enterprises of the civil construction sector