News Story: Despite the falling prices of other construction materials, the price of concrete continues to rise, although modestly, compared to previous years.

Jim Haughey, chief economist with Reed Construction Data, notes the price of pre-cast concrete grew 4.9 percent compared to last year while the cost of cement rose 4.7 percent. However, those increases are modest compared to jumps in prior years. In 2005, for example, prices of concrete products jumped 17 percent.

Haughey cautions, however, that the overall decline in prices may be offset by rising construction labor costs, especially in the retail sector, where it is difficult to find laborers with a retail specialty.