• July figures from the U.S. Department of Labor, released Tuesday, show that a lot of construction materials were cheaper last month than they were the year before. The producer price index for materials used in all kinds of building was down 0.6% from July 2011.
• Not everything was a bargain, however. Prices went up year-over-year for softwood lumber, concrete products, plumbing fixtures, gypsum products and insulation materials.
• Associated Builders and Contractors of America said some price increases – notably diesel fuel and steel – have happened or been announced since the data were collected, and it urged the government to move on public projects while expenses are down.

From the release:

The cost of key construction materials dropped for the third consecutive month in July, pushing down year-over-year prices for the first time since 2009, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. ...