Many of Hermanson’s clients – both owners and general contractors – continuously seek to understand the trends impacting Mechanical Construction Cost.

Hermanson’s Estimating team has long tracked key construction cost indicators as part of our continuous effort to provide accurate costing information. Now, every quarter, we are publishing a basic Mechanical Construction Cost Index to help our clients understand mechanical market conditions and to plan their projects.

Hermanson’s Mechanical Construction Cost Index is based on a comprehensive, representative PNW region project. A complete estimate for this baseline project was completed is Q4 2017, and is updated with current pricing following the end of each quarter. Through Q2 2019, an overall increase of 1.1% was realized. Factors that influenced this increase:

• Bargaining labor rate increases as per union contract.

• Vendors increased the cost of commodities in anticipation of increased cost of raw materials.

  • Copper - 4% increase

  • Steel – 1% increase

Hermanson’s baseline project estimate contains Puget Sound pricing the following components: