The National Index of Civil Construction (Sinapi), estimated by IBGE in partnership with CAIXA, recorded a change of 0.79% in August, up 0.50 percentage points in relation to July (0.29%). The index acceleration is a result of the collective agreements made in August. Compared with August of 2011 (0.14%), the difference was of 0.65 percentage points. Considering the period from January to August of 2012, the high is at 4.38%, while in the same period of the previous year it was at 4.53%. The result of the last twelve months was 5.49%, above the 4.81% recorded in the immediately previous twelve months.

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 July closed at R$ 838.46, changed to R$ 845.10 in August, R$ 449.30 relative to materials and R$ 395.80 to labor force.

The share relative to labor force registered a change of 1.26%, 0.72 percentage points higher than that in the previous month (0.54%). Conversely, materials recorded a difference of 0.31 percentage points, coming from 0.07% in July to 0.38% in August. In the year, labor force rose by 8.95%, whereas materials registered 0.66%. The accumulated indexes in twelve months were: 10.54% (labor force) and 1.41% (materials).

Central-West region records the highest monthly change: 3.08%

The Central-West region, with a high of 3.08%, recorded the highest regional change in August. The other regions presented the following results: 1.54% (North); 0.08% (Southeast); 1.92% (South); and 0.32% (Northeast).

The regional costs, per square meter, were:  R$ 852.49 (North); R$ 791.02 (Northeast); R$ 879.65 (Southeast); R$ 860.50 (South) and R$ 858.83 (Central-West).

As for the accumulated indexes, the South region stood out with the highest change in the year (7.07%) and the highest change in the last 12 months (7.80%).

Mato Grosso stands out among the Federation Units with a change of 5.17%  

Due to the pressure from salary increases following a collective work agreement, Mato Grosso registered the highest monthly change:  5.17%. The other highlights, with monthly changes influenced by salary increases, were: Acre (4.67%), Amazonas (2.75%), Paraíba (5.01%), Paraná (3.50%) and Goiás (4.88%).