Concrete Block and Brick Price Trends for Masonry Estimators
Commercial masonry estimators and general contractors know that concrete masonry units and structural brick represent significant commitments on both load-bearing and veneer jobs. Tracking producer price patterns provides estimators with an objective benchmark when evaluating supplier quotes and establishing bid protection. Here is a Q&A explainer covering recent wholesale pricing patterns based on official federal producer price records.
What does the BLS concrete block and brick PPI series measure?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics PPI commodity data, series WPU1331, monitors wholesale price movements under the title "Nonmetallic mineral products-Concrete block and brick, not seasonally adjusted." This commodity index uses an index base period of 1982 = 100 to measure factory-level price changes for manufactured concrete blocks and bricks across the United States.
Because these index figures are not seasonally adjusted, estimators see the actual pricing conditions recorded from manufacturers without seasonal smoothing. Estimators should also bear in mind that recent monthly values remain preliminary and are subject to revision for four months following their initial release.
Where do concrete block and brick prices stand through late 2026?
In late October 2026, the latest available data point reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics covers September 2026. In September 2026, the index reached 409.7 (raw index value 409.708). This figure represents the highest monthly value recorded across the entire data window from January 2017 to September 2026, meaning the latest month sits at +0.0% versus that series high.
For context, the lowest monthly value recorded in this multi-year data window occurred in January 2017, when the index stood at 248.6 (raw value 248.600). The progression between that January 2017 baseline and the September 2026 peak illustrates the overall expansion in producer pricing over the extended period.
What do annual averages show about long-term masonry escalation?
Reviewing the annual averages computed from the monthly index values highlights the steady upward trajectory across calendar years:
- 2017: 252.5
- 2018: 259.7
- 2019: 269.6
- 2020: 277.7
- 2021: 289.4
- 2022: 324.2
- 2023: 360.0
- 2024: 380.8
- 2025: 394.3
- 2026: 407.4 (computed from January through September only)
These annual averages indicate that prices trended upward every single year, with the partial 2026 average of 407.4 running well above previous annual benchmarks.
How fast have prices grown compared to key historical baselines?
When reviewing quotes or establishing price adjustments on long-duration jobs, estimators look at how the latest market level compares to prior intervals:
- One year earlier: In September 2025, the index stood at 395.6 (raw 395.606), representing a change to latest of +3.6%.
- Two years earlier: In September 2024, the index was 382.2 (raw 382.152), representing a change to latest of +7.2%.
- Five years earlier: In September 2021, the index was 292.4 (raw 292.430), resulting in a change to latest of +40.1%.
- Pre-pandemic benchmark: In January 2020, the index was 272.5 (raw 272.500), reflecting a change to latest of +50.4%.
The table below organizes these key figures from the dataset for quick reference during bid preparation.
| Benchmark Period | Index Value | Change to Latest (September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Month (September 2026) | 409.7 | +0.0% |
| One Year Earlier (September 2025) | 395.6 | +3.6% |
| Two Years Earlier (September 2024) | 382.2 | +7.2% |
| Five Years Earlier (September 2021) | 292.4 | +40.1% |
| Pre-Pandemic (January 2020) | 272.5 | +50.4% |
| Window High (September 2026) | 409.7 | +0.0% |
| Window Low (January 2017) | 248.6 | N/A |
What monthly patterns appeared over the last 13 months?
A review of monthly values in the last 13 months reveals periods of price plateaus followed by incremental advances. In September 2025, the index was 395.6. The index shifted to 395.9 in October 2025 and remained unchanged at 395.9 in November 2025 and 395.9 in December 2025.
In January 2026, the index stepped up to 402.5 and held at 402.5 in February 2026. It moved up to 406.8 in March 2026 and 408.7 in April 2026. The index reached 409.0 in May 2026, remaining at 409.0 across June 2026, July 2026, and August 2026. It then rose to 409.7 in September 2026, yielding a month-over-month change from August 2026 to September 2026 of +0.2%.
How can estimators use these trends when preparing masonry bids?
Tracking the BLS concrete block and brick series gives trade contractors hard evidence when accounting for procurement timelines. Block suppliers frequently limit price guarantees to short acceptance windows, leaving contractors exposed if project awards or site mob dates encounter delays.
To reduce bidding risk on extended schedules, trade contractors often incorporate price escalation clauses that tie contract adjustments to verified public index movements. Furthermore, defining bid validity periods and material holding times through clear bid exclusions and clarifications helps establish exactly when updated quotes apply before work begins.
Sources
Published October 30, 2026. No affiliate links on this page. Facts come from the sources linked above; check them for updates.