The National Index of Civil Construction (Sinapi), estimated by IBGE in partnership with CAIXA, recorded a change of 0.73% in February, up 0.55 percentage points in relation to January (0.18%). Considering the months of January and February 2013, the high is at 0.91%, while in the same period of 2012 it was at 0.90%. The result of the last twelve months was 5.69%, above the 5.25% recorded in the previous twelve months. In February 2012, the index was at 0.31%.

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 January closed at R$ 857.21, in February, changed to R$ 863.46: R$ 456.58 relative to materials and R$ 406.88 to labor force.

The share relative to labor force registered a change of 1.18%, rising 1.11 percentage points over the previous month (0.07%). Materials also presented a positive change, with an increase of 0.05 percentage points, moving from 0.29%, in January, to 0.33%, in February. In the first two months of the year, the cumulative indexes are 1.25% to labor force and 0.61% to materials. The cumulative indexes in twelve months were: 9.73% (labor force) and 2.33% (materials).

Southeast region records the highest monthly change: 1.43%

Pressed by the salary increases in Minas Gerais, the Southeast region recorded the highest regional rate in February, with a high of 1.43%, followed by, in a decreasing order: the South (0.43%), Northeast (0.26%), North (0.23%) and Central-West regions (0.18%).

The regional costs, per square meter, were: R$ 879.31 (North); R$ 808.71 (Northeast); R$ 900.83 (Southeast); R$ 872.73 (Central-West) and R$ 868.22 (South).

In relation to the cumulative index, the Southeast region presented the highest rate in the year (1.61%), but in the last 12 months, the highest change comes from the South region (8.17%)

Minas Gerais stands out, with 5.00%, among Federation Units

Due to salary increases following collective work agreement, Minas Gerais registered the highest monthly rate (5.00%).