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Labor and Material

Requirements for

Construction of

Private Single-family

Houses

Bulletin 1755

g.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics

1972

Dayton & Montgomery Co, 

Public Library

SEP 131972

DOCUMENT COLLECTION

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L a b o r a n d M a t e r i a l

R e q u i r e m e n t s f o r

C o n s t r u c t i o n o f

P r i v a t e S i n g l e - f a m i l y

H o u s e s

Bulletin 1755

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

J. D. Hodgson, Secretary 

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Geoffrey H. Moore, Commissioner

1972

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P r e f a c e

The current program of construction labor requirements studies was started in 1959 in 

recognition of the need for information on the possible employment generating effects of various 

types of construction activities. Several labor requirements studies which were more limited in scope 

and content were completed in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Since 1959, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

has conducted a series of studies presenting data on the total amount of employment and 

man-hours, both onsite and offsite, per dollar of construction expenditure and per square foot of 

space. The studies provide not only detailed occupational, contractor, and man-hours data but also 

information on the amount and type of material required. Completed construction studies include 

civil and sewer works, college housing, public housing, federally aided highways, Federal office 

buildings, elementary and secondary schools, hospitals and nursing homes, and private single-family 

houses.

The study of new private single-family housing construction was conducted in cooperation with 

the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to evaluate the labor and material 

requirements needed to meet the Nation’s housing goals. It is similar to, but not entirely comparable ' 

with, a study done in 1962. Selective data from the 1962 study are included, however, for 

illustrative purposes.

The Bureau is indebted to the more than 4,200 general and special trade contractors who 

provided information for this survey, to the Bureau of the Census who provided the sample, and to 

HUD who provided guidance and financial assistance.

The study was prepared in the Bureau’s Office of Productivity and Technology by Robert Ball, 

assisted by Larry Ludwig and Joseph T. Finn, under the general supervision of Martin Ziegler, Chief, 

Division of Productivity Research.

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C o n t e n t s

Page

Chapters:

I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1

Scope of survey ................................................................................................................................. 1

Comparison with Bureau of the Census data ................................................................................. 1

Nature of the industry ..................................................................................................................... 2

II. Highlights of findings ................................................................................................................................. 3

Total man-hour requirements ........................................................................................................ 3

Change in onsite man-hour req u irem en ts......................................................................................... 3

Offsite man-hours ............................................................................................................................. 5

Other highlights ................................................................................................................................. 5

III. Onsite man-hour requirements and characteristics of houses ................................................................. 6

Occupational requirements ............................................................................................................. 6

Contractor man-hours ..................................................................................................................... 6

Characteristics of houses ................................................................................................................. 6

IV. Distribution of c o s t s ..................................................................................................................................... 8

Relative cost shares ......................................................................................................................... 8

Contractor c o s t s ................................................................................................................................. 8

Wages by occupation ......................................................................................................................... 8

Wage share ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Material costs ..................................................................................................................................... 8

V. Estimated offsite (indirect) employment requirements ...............................................................................10

Builders’ offsite employment ............................................................................................................. 10

Manufacturing employment ................................................................................................................. 10

Employment in other industries ......................................................................................................... 10

Tables:

1. Man-hour requirements for new private single-family houses, by industry, 1969 and 1962 .... 11

2. Summary data for new private single-family houses, 1969 and 1962 11

3. Onsite man-hour requirements for new private single-family houses, by occupation 1969 and 1962 . 12

4. Distribution of onsite man-hours for new private single-family houses, by type of contractor, 1969

and 1962 12

5. Man-hour requirements for new private single-family house construction, by selected characteristics,

1969 and 1962 ........................................................................................................ 13

6. Construction costs of new private single-family houses, by selected characteristics, 1969 and 1962 . . 14

7. Percent distribution of costs, by type of construction, 1959-1969 15

8. Distribution of construction costs for new private single-family houses, by type of contractor, 1969 • 15

9. Average hourly earnings and average hourly union wage rates paid for new private single-family

houses, by occupation 1969 15 .

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Page

Tables—Continued:

10. Distribution of on-site wage share of costs for new private single-family houses, 1969 and 1962 . . 16

11. Comparison of materials and equipment in new private single-family houses, 1969 and 1962 . . . 16

12. Costs and type of materials and equipment in new private single-family houses, 1969 17

13. Surveyed contractors working under labor-management agreement, by type and class of worker

covered, 1969 21

14. Construction workers employed by surveyed contractors in January and July 1969, by type of

c o n tra c to r.................................................................................................................................................... 21

15. General contractors’ most common obstacles to efficiency, 1969 21

16. Capital improvements included in land value of surveyed houses, 1969 21

17. Prefabricated items included in surveyed houses, 1969 .............................................................................. 22

18. Distribution of surveyed contractors’ work, by type of construction, 1969 22

Charts: • • •

1. Man-hour requirements per 100 square feet of private single-family house construction, by sector,

1969 and 1962 .................................................................................................................................................. 4

2. Man-hour requirements per $1,000 of private single-family housing construction, by sector, 1969 and

1962 ... . 4

• 3. D istribution^ construction costs for private single-family houses, 1969 and 1962 .............................9

Appendixes:

A. Survey techniques and methods .................................................................................................................... 23

B. Procedures used to develop offsite (indirect) man-hour estim ates.............................................................25

C. Data collection procedures ............................................ .... ~ : .............................................................26

Training ............................................................................................................................................................ 26

Data collection by personal visit ....................................................................................................................26

Bibliography of construction labor requirements studies ............................................................................................28

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C h a p t e r I . I n t r o d u c t i o n

Single-family home building is a major component of 

the Nation’s output of goods and services and a major 

source of employment. Jobs are created not only at the 

site of construction but also in the many manufacturing, 

mining, trade, transportation, and service industries 

which furnish the materials and services for construction. This study is the result of a survey of labor and 

material requirements for constructing private singlefamily houses in 1969 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

under contract with the Department of Housing and 

Urban Development.

Labor and material requirements to meet the Nation’s 

housing goals were evaluated and employmentgenerating effects of new private, single-family housing 

were determined. The study shows (1) the amount of 

labor time used to complete single-family houses; (2) detailed characteristics by types of houses, contractors, 

and occupations; (3) ratios per 100 square feet and per 

$1,000 of construction costs in current (1969) and 

constant (1962) dollars; (4) the change in direct labor 

requirements between this study and the 1962 study;

(5) data on materials used; and (6) total labor requirements generated by the manufacture, sale, and delivery 

of these materials.

Scope of survey

The survey is based on a sample of 250 single-family 

houses constructed during 1968 and 1969 in the 

continental United States. Most of these houses, however, were completed and sold in 1969. The sample was 

stratified by geographic location, estimated cost of 

houses, and degree of urbanization where they were 

built. Data were collected by fteld agents of the Bureau 

of Labor Statistics through personal visits to over 4,200 

general and special trade contractors. On the average, 17 

contractors were visited for each house; however, the 

number of visits (including callbacks) was considerably 

larger. (See appendix C.)

Although some data for the 1962 study are included 

with this report for illustrative purposes, the two studies 

are not comparable. For example, the previous study 

covered only FHA and VA approved houses, whereas the 

cu rren t study covers all new, conventionallyconstructed, private single-family units built for sale or 

custom built under contract, and costing $75,000 or 

less.

Comparison with Bureau of the Census data

The basic sampling frame was developed from Bureau 

of the Census data on construction starts and permits 

issued for single-family homes during 1968. (See appendix A.) Since the sample largely reflected permits 

issued, construction took place mostly between June 

1968 and July 1969; most of the homes were completed 

and sold in 1969. Single-family housing in the BLS 

sample and the 1969 Census study are compared:

B L S S t u d y 1 C ensus S t u d y 2

Average cost per h o u s e .............. $25,856 $22,700

Average cost per square foot . . . $15.94 $13.45

Average square foot per house . 1622 1640

1N ew houses b u ilt fo r sale and custom b u ilt under co ntract

excluding land b u t including selling expenses and change

orders.

2

N ew houses sold exclud ing value o f im proved lo t.

The differences between these data can be explained 

by several factors:

1. The conceptual basis for the two samples is 

different. The Bureau of the Census sample consists of 

new houses sold. The BLS sample consists of new houses 

built for sale and custom built under contract by a 

general contractor. (See Construction Reports, 

C25-69-13, Characteristics of New One-Family Homes, 

1969, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 

Census, July 1970.

2. Census uses the sales price at the time the contract 

is signed or the deposit is made. Thus, subsequent price 

changes resulting from charge orders are not reflected. 

Furthermore, the Census sales price does not include 

cash options, extras, or charges otherwise not included 

in the original sales price. On the other hand, BLS 

figures include all charge orders before occupancy or the 

date of the survey, whichever comes first, and any cash 

options or extras in the structure so long as the 

construction was done by a contractor and not by an 

unpaid worker, such as the owner or member of his

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family. These inclusions tend to raise the BLS total unit 

cost and man-hours higher than the cost of the census 

homes.

3. Census does not include any work on the grounds 

around the house. This survey, however, includes all 

items in the original contract, such as landscaping, 

paving, termite control, and grading. Excluded are out 

buildings, fences, swimming pools, and operations for 

general land development, i.e., drainage, streets, clearing 

of trees, etc.

4. The definition of square footage in the two 

surveys was not comparable. For example, the Census 

study included square footage for all completely finished 

areas, including basements and attics. The BLS survey 

had a more restricted definition which included only 

livable floor space. (See footnote 4.)

5. The BLS survey excluded modular and sectionalized houses as well as houses which cost over $75,000 

(including land), but final averages probably were not 

affected.

Nature o f the industry

To maintain perspective, the unique nature of the 

homebuilding industry must be kept in mind throughout 

this discussion of man-hour and material requirements. 

For example, the typical contractor operates a small 

firm which has little capital providing only a few housing 

units per year, or he works for himself as a special trade 

contractor. (General contractors and builders in the 

current survey built a median of about 30 houses in 

1969.) That this multiplicity of diverse firms of small 

average size permeates the construction industry is

indicated by the 1967 Census of Construction (the latest 

data available.) According to the Bureau of the Census, 

the construction industry is made up of almost 800,000 

establishments, employs more than 4 million workers 

(including proprietors and working partners), and conducts an annual business of more than $101 billion. Over 

three-fourths of these establishments gross less than 

$250,000 annually, and half make less than $25,000. On 

the other hand, less than 1 percent of the establishments 

reported receipts of $2.5 million or more and accounted 

for more than 38 percent of all receipts.

Homebuilding construction is highly varied, relatively 

unmechanized, and requires a labor force which has a 

high proportion of manual craftsmen and laborers. 

Unskilled and semiskilled workers, for example, constituted 28 percent of the work force for single-family 

houses in 1969, and these workers may be on the 

increase.

Another characteristic of the industry is seasonality 

which causes high unemployment rates for construction 

workers and a low number of annual hours for most 

crafts. Among surveyed contractors construction 

workers averaged 82 percent as much time in January as 

in July 1969. (See table 14.)

The industry also is characterized by a multiplicity of 

diverse building codes and zoning regulations, widely 

varying customs and practices, lack of extensive research 

and development, union jurisdictional problems, localized markets, customized products, and a volatile 

money supply sensitive to changes in interest rates. A 

full review of these characteristics properly belongs 

elsewhere, but these factors do restrict homebuilding, 

drive up costs, and bring delays and inefficiencies.

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C h a p t e r I I . H i g h l i g h t s O f F i n d i n g s

Total man-hour requirements. An average new private 

single-family house in 1969 required 1,337 onsite 

man-hours of labor, 254 offsite man-hours in contractors’ offices and warehouses, and 1,925 indirect 

man-hours in industries providing materials and services.1 This time is equivalent to about three-fourths of a 

man-year for on-site construction workers and slightly 

more than a man-year for all other workers—including 

offsite construction employees.

Expanding these findings to reflect total employment 

in 1969, private single-family house construction provided full-time jobs for an estimated 450,000 construction workers and additional jobs for 74,000 offsite 

construction personnel, such as administrators, appraisers, engineers, architects, secretaries, and clerks. 

These figures account for over 12 percent of the more 

than 4 million workers in construction that year. In 

addition, about 561,000 jobs were generated in industries which provide materials and services.2

1N o t covered by the survey were construction inspection by

governm ent em ployees, installations b y public utility em ployees,

and labor required for swimming pools, fences, and outbuildings.

Excluded from other industry man-hour requirem ents was labor

generated b y m oney spent b y builders or contractors for taxes

(including payroll taxes) and other overhead item s, such as real

estate com m issions, rent, bonds, insurance, financing, utilities

and business services, and legal and professional services. These

paym ents probably generate little' direct em ploym ent. Em ploym ent created b y the respending o f wages and profits o f the

workers and their em ployers—the m ultiplier effect—was also

outside the scope o f the study.

2These estim ates, although representing only job s created by

new houses built for sale and custom -built under contract,

actually accounted for the vast majority o f job s in private

single-family housing construction, because the other major

grouping, owner-built houses, probably provides few onsite and

offsite construction jobs. If the effects o f owner-built houses

were included in these calculations, single-family hom ebuilding

w ould account for an estim ated 15 percent o f all construction

jobs in 1969. In industries providing materials or services,

however, perhaps one-fifth m ore job s w ould be created w hen

owner-built houses are included. A lthough owner-built houses

m ake up about Qne-fourth o f all single-family hom es, they tend

to be smaller and less expensive; thus, the value o f materials

w ould be proportionately less. Estim ates were derived by using

1,800 hours a year for onsite construction workers and 2080

hours for other workers.

Each $1,000 of cost exclusive of land3 generates 

about 137 man-hours of labor in all sectors of the 

economy. Of these man-hours, 62 are expended in 

construction—52 onsite and the rest offsite, as indicated 

by table 1. Thus, for every hour of onsite construction 

work, an additional 0.2 hour is spent in contractors’ 

offices and warehouses and 1.4 hours in other industries.

In addition to the direct employment generated in 

the construction industry, 75 man-hours of employment 

per $1,000 of construction were created in industries 

which mine, manufacture, distribute, and sell the materials used in single-family house construction.

On a square footage basis, each 100 square feet of 

livable floor space (calculated area)4 provided 98 manhours of construction work—82 of which were onsite. In 

other industries, 119 man-hours were created per 100 

square feet. (See charts 1 and 2.)

Man-hour requirements for all industries except construction were developed by translating the materials 

purchased into man-hours required to mine, process, 

transport and distribute the materials used in construction. These man-hour estimates were derived by first 

classifying and aggregating material values by type, 

deflating by appropriate price indexes, and applying the 

data to input-output tables. Productivity factors were 

then used to develop estimates of employment and 

man-hours by industry group. (See appendix B.)

Change in onsite man-hour requirements. A comparison 

of current data with 1962 results reveals a decline in 

onsite man-hour requirements. This change reflects a 

host of economic factors including new processes and 

materials, geographic shifts in demand, shifts in types of

C o n str u c tio n cost refers to the cost o f the house exclusive

o f the price o f im proved lo t and any closing costs, and includes

onsite and indirect labor, materials, overhead and profit, and

selling expenses. A lso included are the cost o f change orders

executed after the initial contract and before occupancy or tim e

o f survey, whichever came first.

4 Livable Space (calculated area) as used throughout this

report is defined as all living spaces in the house above basem ent

or foundation from outside surfaces o f exterior walls. Excluded

are all space in garage and finished attic covering less than 5 0

percent o f ground floor area, and any area w hich has a ceiling o f

less than 5 feet.

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Chart 1

M an-H our R equirem ents Per 100 S q u are F eet of P rivate Single-Fam ily 

H ousing C onstruction, by S ecto r, 1969 and 1962

C onstruction

M anufacturing

Wholesale trade, transpo rtatio n and services

M ining and other

M an-Hours

5 0

------------------—-----—------------------------- -----------

On-site Off-site

1 9 6 9

1 9 6 2

C hart 2

M an-H our R equirem ents Per $1,000 of P rivate Single-Fam ily 

H ousing C onstruction, by S ecto r, 1969 and 1962

Man-Hours

5 0

Construction

M anufacturing

Wholesale trade, transp o rtatio n and services

M ining and other

100

1 9 6 9

1 9 6 2

Digitized 

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housing, and productivity growth. Isolating the effects 

of productivity change on labor requirements from these 

other factors is extremely difficult.

In addition, the sample in 1962 was considerably 

smaller, had only about a third as many respondents, 

and was limited to FHA and VA-approved houses 

compared with the current study which covers all new, 

conventionally-constructed, private, single-family houses 

built for sale or custom-built under contract and costing 

1 $75,000 or less.

With these limitations, two measures of change in 

onsite man-hour requirements were developed: one 

based on square footage; the other on constant dollars. 

A Bureau of the Census single-family housing price index 

was used to deflate the current dollar value.5

On a square footage basis, man-hours per unit of 

output declined slightly more than one-half of 1 percent 

a year. On a constant (1962) dollar basis—the effects of 

price increases having been removed—the decline was 

almost 2 percent a year, as shown.

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2

A v e ra g e 6

a n n u a l

p e rc e n t

ch an g e

Man-hours per 100 square fe e t............ . 82 85 -0.6

Man-hours per 1000 constant dollars . . 64 72 -1.9

Since homes built in 1969 have more bathrooms, air 

conditioning, and other improvements than those built 

in 1962, real value increased substantially faster than 

output based on square footage alone. These improvements also required a greater number of man-hours to 

install, but the increase in labor time was not proportionate to the rise in real value.

O ffsite man-hours. Although man-hour requirements in 

the construction industry declined from the earlier 

study, the decline in all other industries was much 

sharper and reflected the effects of higher productivity 

in the manufacture and distribution of materials as well 

as changes in the composition of material inputs. (See 

table 1.) Prefabricated materials were used to a greater 

extent in the construction of single-family housing, and 

as a result jobs were shifted from construction into 

manufacturing. Increasing use of ready-made concrete 

and gypsum products, for example, creates some new 

jobs in the concrete and gypsum industries, but reduces 

onsite,labor requirements in construction. Despite this 

trend, man-hour requirements are declining considerably

5See John C. Musgrave, ‘T h e Measurement o f Price Changes

in C onstruction,” Journal o f the American Statistical Association, Septem ber 1969, pp. 771-786.

C o m p o u n d e d 6V2 years to m id-1969 w hen the majority o f

houses surveyed were com pleted. Rates o f change calculated on

unrounded data.

Other highlights,. Construction costs of houses in this 

survey ranged from about $8,000 to $52,000; a 

weighted average was $25,856. (See table 2.) Onsite 

labor was just over 20 percent of tfiis average; supplemental benefits for onsite workers accounted for about 

3 percent.

— square feet of livable space averaged 1622 and 

ranged from 800 to 3800. Cost per square foot was 

$15.94.

— average hourly earnings were $3.94, considerably 

less than the union wage scale for comparable occupations in the building trades because homebuilding is 

basically a nonunion activity. About 65 percent of 

contractors surveyed, for example, were nonunion.

— builders surveyed constructed a medium of about 

30 houses during the fiscal year covered by the study 

(i.e., July 1968 through June 1969).

— ninety-six percent of builders surveyed provided 

no on-the-job training or registered apprenticeship programs.

— ninety-one percent of business, in dollar value, of 

builders surveyed were in single-family house construction. (See table 18.)

— most frequently quoted obstacles to efficiency 

were: building codes, lack of skilled workers, and 

adverse work practices. (See table 15.)

— inclement weather was the most persistent problem and a major deterrent to house construction.

— most frequently-mentioned prefabricated items 

were kitchen cabinets, vanities, preassembled windows, 

and prehung doors. (See table 17.)

— average time to build survey houses was about 21 

weeks. Several builders encountered delays due to 

inclement weather although a few experienced other 

drawbacks such as work stoppages.

— overtime was of little consequence and amounted 

to less than 1 percent in pay for each worker. Overtime 

was used only when absolutely necessary, and then 

usually in subcontracts, such as stucco and concrete, 

which could not be halted abruptly at the end of a day.

— about 1300 contractors, over 30 percent of the 

more than 4,200 general and special trade contractors in 

the survey, had labor-management agreements. Of this 

number, all workers were covered in about 90 percent of 

the agreements. (See table 13.) Nearly all skilled workers 

were covered where an agreement was in force.

— the average land value per lot was just under 

$5,000 and included utilities, street paving, and sewer 

hookup for the majority of houses surveyed. (See table 

16.) Community recreation facilities were included for 

15 percent of houses.

faster in m anufacturing and o th er industries than in

construction.

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C h a p t e r I I I . O n s it e M a n - H o u r R e q u i r e m e n t s

a n d C h a r a c t e r is t ic s o f H o u s e s

Occupational requirements. According to the study, 69 

percent of the onsite man-hours were worked by skilled 

tradesmen, 28 percent by semiskilled and unskilled 

workers, and 3 percent by nonproduction employees 

(supervisors, engineers, clerks). (See table 3.) Four 

major building crafts-carpenters, painters, bricklayers, 

and plumbers-accounted for three-fourths of the skilled 

employees. Carpenters, the most frequently used occupation, accounted for over one-third of the man-hours at 

the site. Over one-fourth of the man-hours were expended by laborers, helpers, and tenders.

The current study indicates two important trends—a 

decline in the proportion of skilled man-hour requirements and an increase in semiskilled and unskilled 

man-hours. In a 1947 study, skilled workers provided 

76.7 percent of all onsite man-hours for single-family 

housing construction.7 This proportion dropped to 73.2 

in 1962 and to 68.8 in 1969. The reverse is shown for 

laborers, helpers and tenders. The 1947 study indicates 

that these workers accounted for 21.2 percent of total 

onsite man-hour requirements, which increased to 23.3 

percent in 1962 and 27.9 in 1969. To a very large 

extent, these trends reflect the greater use of prefabricated materials, which often require less skill to install. 

Except for these shifts, the mix of occupational requirements showed little change.

Contractor man-hours. The study found that general 

contractors accounted for over 30 percent of the 

man-hours in onsite construction, although carpentry 

contractors accounted for 17 percent, almost double the 

level in 1962. (See table 4.)8 Compared with the earlier

7Edward M. G ordon, “H om e Construction: Man-hours by

O ccupation 1946-47,” Monthly Labor Review, Decem ber 1948.

8 Classification o f man-hours and costs by major type o f

operation, according to the Standard Industrial Classification

(SIC) m ethod, proved difficult since contractors often do several

related jobs. A concrete subcontractor, for exam ple, frequently

performs duties other than concrete work, such as foundations

(a separate SIC grouping) w hile a carpentry subcontractor also

m ay do flooring, siding, and roofing in addition to rough and

finish carpentry. Such problem s were resolved on the basis o f the

major com ponent o f work perform ed in costs.

study, carpentry man-hours have increased considerably, 

while hours worked by general contractors have declined; general contractors are concentrating more of 

their efforts on coordinating, financing, and purchasing 

while subcontracting more onsite work to carpentry 

contractors.

The share of labor input of masonry, concrete, 

wallboard, and electrical contractors has increased substantially since the 1962 study. Increasingly, homeowners’ demand for patios, fireplaces, basements, garages, more electrical appliances and outlets, and the 

substitution of wallboard for plaster have brought about 

these shifts in labor.

Characteristics o f houses. Most of the houses in the 1969 

study were located within metropolitan areas and had 

one story, a wood frame, basement, two or more 

bathrooms, forced air heating, and a garage or carport. 

Compared with homes built 7 years earlier, the 1969 

home was roomier, had more bathrooms and air conditioning, and was considerably more expensive to build.

The number of onsite man-hours per $1,000 of 

construction cost and per 100 square feet was considerably higher in nonmetropolitan areas than in metropolitan areas. (See table 5.) Homes built in metropolitan 

areas required 44 man-hours per $1,000 of construction 

cost, compared with 79 for nonmetropolitan areas. On a 

100 square foot basis, 71 man-hours were required in 

metropolitan areas compared with 120 in nonmetropolitan areas. Higher onsite man-hours in nonmetropolitan areas also were observed in the earlier study. A 

number of factors may contribute to this difference: the inclusion of more basements and garages, 

greater use of wood for exterior wall or framing, the use 

of less-skilled workers, and smaller average size homes in 

nonmetropolitan areas.

There is a strong inverse correlation between average 

hourly earnings and the number of man-hours required 

in single-family home construction. That is, as hourly 

earnings increase, unit man-hour requirements decrease.

In costs, a different pattern emerged. Costs were 

higher in metropolitan areas, and tended to increase as

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earnings increased. (See table 6.) Of course, costs are 

determined by other factors in addition to labor. 

Although larger houses require fewer man-hours per 

square foot and per $1,000 (as measured by number of 

stories and bathrooms), total cost per square foot

increased as the house size increases. Thus, the labor cost 

share tends to decline as houses increase in size although 

total cost per unit tends to rise as the house size 

increases.

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C h a p te r IV . D is tr ib u tio n o f Costs

Relative cost shares. Private single-family housing had 

the lowest labor input of any type of construction 

studied by the Bureau. (See table 7.) Onsite wages and 

salaries, declining slightly as a percent of total house 

costs since 1962, represented 20.4 percent of construction costs in the current study. This decline is the 

continuation of a long-term trend from 1947, when 

onsite labor was 32.7 percent of total costs.9 Materials 

representing the largest share, as in other construction 

labor requirements studies except dredging projects, also 

declined as a percent of all costs from 47.2 to 43.4 

percent. As a percent of total costs, equipment remained 

about the same—1 percent. Although not available 

separately for the 1962 study, in 1969 supplemental 

wage benefits accounted for 2.7 percent and selling 

expenses 2.9 percent of total costs. (See chart 3.)10 The 

relative share of residual costs, which include construction financing, inventory, administration, clerical work, 

warehousing, other overhead costs, and builders’ and 

contractors’ profits, was 29.7 percent. Including supplemental wage benefits and selling expenses as in the 

previous study, the increase in residual was just over 6 

percentage points. Factors contributing to this rise in 

the residual share included increased interest rates for 

builder loans and increased employer contributions for 

unemployment insurance, social security, and fringes, 

such as paid vacations and retirement.

Contractor costs. More than half of the total cost of a 

house is paid to the general contractor for materials, 

administration, and onsite labor. (See table 8.) Plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning contractors 

make up the second largest group; carpentry contractors 

receive a close third. These three types of contractors 

account for over two-thirds of the construction cost.

Wages by occupation. Earnings in the study were 

consistently lower for every occupation than the average

9Adela L. Stucke, “Labor Share in Construction of New

Houses,” M onthly Labor Review, May 1949.

10 Selling expenses normally would not be included in

construction costs. However, since they were reported in the

1962 study and cannot be identified or removed, selling

expenses are shown in the 1969 figures for comparison.

hourly wage scales for all unionized building trades. (See 

table 9.) This comparison reflects the largely nonunion 

status of the private single-family homebuilding industry 

(about 65 percent of the contractors in the survey). 

Only three occupations in the study approached union 

scales: cement finishers, plasterers, and roofers. The 

largest difference in scale is between union and nonunion laborers, helpers, and tenders, and is consistent 

with the increasing proportion of these workers in 

single-family housing construction.

Wage share. In 1969, the median onsite wage share of 

construction costs, reflecting a slight downward shift 

from the earlier study, fell in the 15.1-20.0 percent 

category. (See table 10.) Over 18 percent of the houses 

had a wage share of over 25 percent, although less than 

10 percent had 15 percent and under.

In addition, labor’s share of total cost showed a wider 

dispersion in the current study. At the lower end of the 

scale, the number of houses in which the onsite labor 

share was 15 percent and under increased from 3.0 to 

9.8 percent. This increase may reflect a greater improvement in productivity, increasing use of prefabricated 

components, and more efficient construction equipment. All of these factors tend to reduce onsite labor 

costs. Similarity, at the upper end of the scale, the 

number of houses in which labor’s share was 30.1 

percent or more of costs increased from 3.0 percent to 

4.4. This increase is consistent with the large amount of 

building in the South where building is generally more 

labor intensive. The sample used for this study reflects 

this increased homebuilding activity in the South.

Material costs

Materials and equipment represented $443 per 

$1,000 or $707 per 100 square feet. (See table 11.) The 

most important materials category was lumber and wood 

products (including furniture), accounting for about 18 

percent of the total or $180 per $1,000. The second 

most important material grouping was stone, clay, and 

glass products (including sand, gravel and dirt fill) 

representing $95 per $1,000 of construction cost.

8

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Chart 3

D is trib u tio n o f C o n s tru c tio n C o s ts fo r S in g le -F a m ily H o u s e s , 1969 a n d 1962

Supplemental 

wage benefits1 

(2.7%)

Selling expenses 

(2.9%)

Supplemental wage benefits (SW8) includes social security (FICA), unemployment insurance,

vacation pay, retirement funds, health and life insurance and other fringe benefits for on-site workers.

Materials include cost of supplies, fixed equipment 

incorporated into the structures, and major appliances 

that were covered by the original construction contracts. 

For convenience, the materials tables also include the 

rental cost or equivalent value of the construction 

equipment used at the site. Equipment accounted for 

about $9 per $1,000 of construction.

The dollar values in table 11 reflect changes both in 

the physical volume and the relative costs of various 

materials. One method for determining relative importance of material utilization is the use of percentage 

distributions of the list of materials. Substantial declines 

are shown in table 11 for stone, clay, and glass; metal; 

and petroleum products. On the other hand, substantial 

increases occurred for plumbing products, carpets and

rugs, and plastics products. These trends mirror the 

practice of providing more bathrooms, rugs, and carpets, 

numerous plastics products such as cold water and 

drainage pipes, and interior and exterior plastic wall 

panels. Other major groupings remained relatively constant; however, numerous substitutions within these 

major groupings took place (as in the use of wallboard 

for plaster, both of which are made of gypsum and 

classified in the same grouping) for a number of reasons 

(i.e., due to prefabrication, relative price changes, new 

products, personal preference and scarcity or abundance).

A more detailed breakdown of material is shown in 

table 12.

9

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C h a p te r V . E s tim a te d O ffs ite ( In d ir e c t )

E m p lo y m e n t R e q u ir e m e n t^

Offsite employment, which' is estimated from the 

materials and equipment used, falls into the following 

industry groups: (1) Construction: Builder’s, administrative, estimating, office and warehousing activities; 

(2) manufacturing activities producing fabricated and 

raw materials and equipment; (3) transportation, wholesale trade, and services: Industries providing warehousing, distribution, and sale of materials and equipment; (4) all other industries directly or indirectly 

affected by the production and distribution of materials 

and equipment. Interindustry transfers ultimately affect 

industries such as agriculture, forestry and mining.

Some workers in architectural firms, utility companies, and State and local governments who contribute 

to the construction of private single-family houses are 

not covered by this report. (See footnote 1.)

Builders9 offsite employment Because offsite employment includes work not only on projects studied but 

also on concurrent projects, no attempt was made in this 

study to measure directly contractors’ offsite employment. Instead, builder’s offsite labor was estimated using 

published sources. The estimated man-hours for each 

$1,000 of construction and 100 square feet of livable 

space of single-family house construction were based on 

the difference between construction workers’ employment and total employment in the special trade contractors component of the contract construction industry for 1969. The level of offsite man-hour requirements remained relatively stable between the two

studies. Most offsite man-hours represent white-collar 

employment, which changes relatively slowly.

Manufacturing employment Except for onsite construction, manufacturing constitutes the largest component 

of total man-hour requirements in both the current and 

the 1962 studies. Thus, the employment effect in this 

industry is second only to that in construction. Almost 

one-third of all man-hour requirements are accounted 

for by manufacturing, but labor requirements are declining more rapidly in this industry than in construction. 

This change in offsite man-hour requirements may 

represent changes both in demand for particular materials and in the industry’s productivity. The same 

industries provided most of the offsite man-hours in 

manufacturing for both studies: wood and lumber 

products; stone, clay and glass products; metal products; 

and plumbing products. These four industry groups 

accounted for about three-fourths of the man-hours in 

manufacturing.

Employment in other industries. Wholesale trade, transportation, and services accounted for about 15 percent 

of total man-hour requirements. Between the two 

studies, this sector declined at a slightly higher rate than 

manufacturing. Mining and all other industries represent 

about 10 percent of all construction labor requirements. 

Although this sector declined more than manufacturing 

and transportation, trade and services, the employment 

effect is not as great because fewer employees were 

involved.

10

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 1. Man-hour requirements fo r new private single-family houses b y industry, 1969 and 1962

1969 1962'

Industry

Per 1,000

current

dollars

of construction

Per 1,000

constant

(1962)

dollars of

construction2

Per 100

square

feet

Percent

distribution

Per 1,000

current

dollars

of construction

Per 100

square

feet

Percent

distribution

All industries........................... 137 169 217 3 100.0 202r 238 3 100.0

Construction....................................... 62 76 98 45.3 84 99 41.6

Onsite............................................. 52 64 82 38.0 72 85 35.6

Offsite............................................. 10 12 16 7.3 12 14 5.9

Other industries................................. 75 92 119 54.7 118r 139 58.4

Manufacturing.............................. 41 50 65 29.9 61r 72 30.2

Wholesale trade, transportation,

and services................................. 20 25 32 14.6 31r 36 15.3

Mining and all other..................... 14 17 22 10.2 26r 31 12.9

1 L a b o r a n d M a te r ia l R e q u ire m e n ts f o r P riv a te O n e -F a m ily 3 Calculated on basis of man-hours per $1,000. Except for

H o u s e C o n s tru c tio n (BLS Bulletin 1404, 1964), and M o n t h ly L a b o r rounding, percent distribution would be the same on a square

R e v ie w , July 1964, pp. 797-800. footage basis.

2 Deflater used is Bureau of the Census price index for new

single-family houses, rebased to 1962, adjusted to remove value

land, and fitted to mid-1969 when virtually all houses in survey

were sold.

r = revised data

NOTE: Detail may not add to totals due to rounding.

Table 2. Summary data for new private single-family

houses, 1969 and 1962

Characteristics 1969 1962 Percent

change

Average

annual

percent

change

Cost per square foot. . $15.94 $11.76 35.5 4.8

Cost per house............ $25,856 $14,585 77.3 9.3

Average hourly

earnings ............... $3.94 $3.07 28.3 4.0

Average square feet

per house............... 1,622 1,240 30.8 4.3

11

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Table 3. Onsite man-hour requirements for new private single-family houses, b y occupation, 1969 and 1962

O c c u p a t i o n

M a n - h o u r s p e r 1 0 0 

s q u a r e f e e t

P e r c e n t d i s t r i b u t i o n 1

M a n - h o u r s p e r $ 1 , 0 0 0 o f 

c o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2

A ll o c c u p a t i o n s .................................... 8 2 8 5 1 0 0 . 0 1 0 0 . 0 5 2 7 2

S u p e r v i s o r y , p r o f e s s i o n a l , t e c h n i c a l ,

a n d c l e r i c a l ............................................................... 2 3 2 . 8 3 . 0 1 2

C a r p e n t e r ........................................................................ 2 9 2 9 3 4 . 9 3 4 . 6 1 8 2 5

P a i n t e r ............................................................................ 6 8 7 . 3 9 . 5 4 7

B r i c k l a y e r ........................................................................ 5 5 5 . 7 5 . 5 3 4

P l u m b e r ........................................................................ 4 4 4 . 3 5 . 2 2 4

C e m e n t f i n i s h e r ...................................................... 2 3 2 . 5 3 . 9 1 3

E l e c t r i c i a n .................................................................... 2 2 3 . 0 2 . 8 2 2

P l a s t e r e r a n d l a t h e r ............................................. 1 2 1 . 7 2 . 0 1 1

S h e e t - m e t a l w o r k e r ............................................. 1 2 1 . 3 1 . 8 1 1

R o o f e r . ............................................................................ 1 1 . 9 1 . 4 ( 2 ) 1

O p e r a t i n g e n g i n e e r ............................................. 2 1 1 . 8 1 . 4 1 1

T i l e s e t t e r ........................................................................ 1 1 1 . 4 1 . 0 1 1

S o f t f l o o r l a y e r ...................................................... 1 1 . 6 . 8 ( 2 ) 1

O t h e r s k i l l e d t r a d e ............................................. 3 3 3 . 3 3 . 3 2 2

L a b o r e r ............................................................................ 1 2 1 3 1 4 .1 1 4 . 8 7 1 1

H e l p e r a n d t e n d e r .................................................. 11 7 1 3 . 8 8 . 5 7 6

T r u c k d r i v e r a n d m is c . w o r k e r .................. ( 2 ) ( 2 ) . 5 .5 ( 2 ) ( 2 )

1 C alculated o n u n ro u n d ed d ata. NOTE: D etail m ay n o t add to to ta ls due to rounding.

2 Less th a n .5 hour.

Table 4. Distribution of onsite man-hours for new private

single-family houses by type of contractor, 1969 and

1962

T y p e o f c o n t r a c t o r 1

P e r c e n t o f o n s i t e m a n - h o u r s

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2

A ll t y p e s ........................... 1 0 0 . 0 1 0 0 . 0

G e n e r a l .......................................................... 3 1 . 3 4 5 . 6

C a r p e n t r y ......................................................

P l u m b i n g , h e a t i n g , v e n t i l a t i n g

1 6 . 9 9 . 4

a n d a i r c o n d i t i o n i n g .................. 8 . 7 8 . 6

P a i n t i n g a n d p a p e r h a n g i n g . . . 6 . 5 6 . 6

M a s o n r y a n d s t o n e w o r k . . . . 9.0 5.6

C o n c r e t e a n d s t u c c o w o r k . . . 7 . 2 4 . 2

E l e c t r i c a l ( e x c e p t h e a t i n g ) . . . 3 . 7 2 . 8

P l a s t e r i n g a n d l a t h i n g ....................... 1 . 4 2 . 6

R o o f i n g a n d s i d i n g ...........................

C e r a m i c t i l e , t e r r a z z o a n d

2 . 0 2 . 0

m a r b l e w o r k .................................... 2 . 2 1 . 6

E x c a v a t i o n a n d g r a d i n g .................. 1 . 6 1 . 6

W o o d f l o o r i n g ......................................... . 9 1 . 2

O t h e r f l o o r i n g ......................................... 1 . 6 . 8

A ll o t h e r t y p e s .........................................

W a ll b o a r d ( i n c l u d e d i n

6 . 9 7 . 5

a ll o t h e r ) ........................... ( 4 .0 ) ( N .A .)

1 C o n tracto rs are classified according to th e m ajor c o st com ­

p o n e n t of w ork since m any perform ed m ore th an one op eratio n .

NO TE: D etail m ay n o t add to to ta ls due to rounding.

12

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Table 5. Man-hour requirements for new private single-family houses, b y selected characteristics, 1969 and 1962

C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

M a n - h o u r s p e r 

1 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t

M a n - h o u r s p e r 

$ 1 , 0 0 0 o f c o n ­

s t r u c t i o n c o s t C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

M a n - h o u r s p e r 

1 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t

M a n - h o u r s p e r 

$ 1 , 0 0 0 o f c o n ­

s t r u c t i o n c o s t

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2

A ll h o u s e s . . . 8 2 8 5 5 2 7 2 1 a n d 2 b e d r o o m s . . . . 112 99 78 . . .

3 b e d r o o m s . . ....................... 8 7 8 8 5 5 7 3

In m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a s . . . 7 1 8 1 4 4 7 0 4 b e d r o o m s o r m o r e . . . 7 6 7 2 4 7 6 7

I n n o n m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a s . 1 2 0 1 0 0 7 9 8 1

Va a n d 1 b a t h r o o m s . . . 7 7 8 5 5 5 7 1

C o n s t r u c t i o n p r i c e : 1 Ya b a t h r o o m s ....................... 1 0 0 9 8 6 4 7 7

$ 3 0 #0 0 0 - o v e r . . . . 8 1 4 5 2 b a t h r o o m s ........................... 8 1 7 4 4 9 6 7

$ 2 7 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 9 , 9 9 9 . . 7 5 4 3 2 % b a t h r o o m s o r m o r e . 8 2 9 4 5 0 8 0

$ 2 4 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 6 , 9 9 9 . . 7 8 9 9 5 4 7 8

$ 2 1 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 3 , 9 9 9 . . 8 8 6 0 B a s e m e n t ( f u l l a n d

$ 1 8 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 0 , 9 9 9 . . 8 0 5 4 p a r t i a l i ................................ 8 7 . . . 5 5 7 5

$ 1 5 , 0 0 0 - $ 1 7 , 9 9 9 . . 1 0 2 8 9 7 2 7 3 N o b a s e m e n t ............................ 7 3 — 4 6 6 9

$ 1 2 , 0 0 0 - $ 1 4 , 9 9 9 . . 8 4 8 2 7 2 7 0

U n d e r $ 1 2 , 0 0 0 . . . 8 0 7 2 7 5 6 8 G a r a g e ............................................. 7 9 7 8 4 8 6 7

C a r p o r t ......................................... 1 1 9 9 8 8 8 8 6

A v e r a g e h o u r l y e a r n i n g s : N e i t h e r ........................... 8 1 9 8 5 9 7 9

$ 5 . 5 0 - o v e r . .................. 5 7 ) 3 2 )

$ 4 . 5 0 - $ 5 . 4 9 . . . . 68 f 6 4 39 > 5 6 F r a m i n g :

$ 3 . 5 0 - $ 4 . 4 9 . . . . 82* 5 2 / W o o d ............................ 8 4 8 6 5 3 7 2

$ 2 . 5 0 - $ 3 . 4 9 . . . . 111 92 77 73 M a s o n r y .................. 7 4 8 0 4 2 7 3

U n d e r $ 2 . 5 0 . . . . 119 108 111 99

E x t e r i o r w a ll m a t e r i a l :

N u m b e r o f s q u a r e f e e t : B r i c k ........................... 8 8 9 7 6 2 8 3

2 0 0 0 - o v e r ....................... 7 0 ) 4 5 ) W o o d ........................... 1 0 7 8 2 6 0 7 1

1 8 0 0 - 1 9 9 9 .................. 7 8 ( 4 7 ( S t u c c o ........................... 6 3 6 7 3 7 6 0

1 6 0 0 - 1 7 9 9 .................. 9 9 1 8 2 6 0 4 7 3 O t h e r ............................ 7 5 8 2 4 6 6 8

1 4 0 0 - 1 5 9 9 .................. 1 0 3 / 6 2 /

1 2 0 0 - 1 3 9 9 ................... 7 4 7 5 4 5 6 4 I n t e r i o r w a l l m a t e r i a l :

1 0 0 0 - 1 1 9 9 .................. 9 4 9 7 6 2 7 8 D r y w a l l ....................... 8 2 8 0 5 2 6 9

U n d e r 1 0 0 0 P l a s t e r ........................... 7 7 1 0 7 4 8 8 4

s q u a r e f e e t . . . 8 0 7 8 5 7 6 8

H e a t i n g :

C o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t p e r W a r m a i r ................... 7 8 8 3 4 9 7 2

s q u a r e f o o t : H o t w a t e r .................. 1 0 9 9 2 5 9 7 5

$ 1 7 - o v e r ....................... 8 7 4 5 E l e c t r i c ....................... 9 0 8 9 5 9 • • •

$ 1 6 - $ 1 6 . 9 9 ................... 8 8 5 4

$ 1 5 - $ 1 5 . 9 9 ................... 7 1 1 0 6 4 6 7 3 F l o o r c o v e r i n g :

$ 1 4 - $ 1 4 . 9 9 .................. 8 6 5 9 W o o d ........................... 8 5 9 6 5 2 7 7

$ 1 3 - $ 1 3 . 9 9 ................... 8 3 6 2 A s p h a l t t i l e .

$ 1 2 - $ 1 2 . 9 9 .................. 8 1 ' 1 0 4 6 5 8 4 v i n y l t i l e .

$ 1 1 - $ 1 1 . 9 9 .................. 7 4 * 7 6 6 5 6 6 l i n o l e u m . . . 1 1 4 5 9 7 4 5 9

$ 1 0 - $ 1 0 . 9 9 .................. 6 9 7 1 6 1 6 7 O t h e r ........................... 7 5 7 4 4 8 7 1

U n d e r $ 1 0 . 0 0 . . . 7 9 6 6 9 1 7 2

A n n u a l b u i l d e r v o l u m e :

1 s t o r y ................................................. 8 8 . . . 5 7 7 0 2 0 0 - o v e r .................. 5 1 6 2 3 1 5 6

S p l i t l e v e l ......................................... 7 9 ____ 4 8 7 8 1 0 0 - 1 9 9 .................. 7 4 7 6 4 1 6 8

2 s t o r i e s . ......................................... 7 3 . . . 4 4 5 0 - 9 9 . ....................... 7 5 8 0 4 8 6 8

3 s t o r i e s ............................................. 6 1 3 5 . . . U n d e r 5 0 .................. 9 1 1 0 1 5 9 8 2

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Digitized for FRASER 

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 6. Construction costs o f new private single-family houses, 1969 and 1962

C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

C o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t 

p e r h o u s e

C o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t 

p e r s q u a r e 

f o o t C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

C o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t 

p e r h o u s e

C o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t 

p e r s q u a r e 

f o o t

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2

A ll h o u s e s . . . $ 2 5 , 8 5 6 $ 1 4 , 5 8 5 $ 1 5 . 9 4 $ 1 1 . 7 6 1 a n d 2 b e d r o o m s . . . $ 1 5 , 3 8 3 . . . $ 1 4 . 3 8 . . .

3 b e d r o o m s ....................... 2 2 , 0 8 3 $ 1 3 , 9 1 7 1 5 . 7 2 $ 1 2 . 0 6

In m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a s . . 2 7 , 3 6 0 1 4 , 6 5 6 1 6 . 1 4 1 1 .6 1 4 b e d r o o m s o r m o r e . . 3 3 , 3 3 2 1 8 , 1 1 8 1 6 . 2 7 1 0 . 7 8

I n n o n m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a s 2 1 , 8 4 8 1 4 , 2 9 6 1 5 .3 1 1 2 . 4 5

Vz a n d 1 b a t h r o o m s , . . 1 5 , 8 2 3 1 1 , 9 9 2 1 4 . 0 4 1 1 . 9 6

C o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t s : 1 Vz b a t h r o o m s .................. 2 0 , 5 7 5 1 4 , 9 6 3 1 5 . 5 3 1 2 . 7 7

$ 3 0 , 0 0 0 - o v e r . . . 3 7 , 7 8 4 1 7 . 9 2 2 b a t h r o o m s ....................... 2 5 , 3 0 7 1 5 , 4 3 6 1 6 . 5 0 1 1 . 0 4

$ 2 7 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 9 , 9 9 9 . 2 8 , 1 6 8 1 7 . 3 2 2 Y» b a t h r o o m s o r m o r e 3 4 , 3 6 8 2 0 , 1 6 0 1 6 . 3 8 1 1 . 7 4

$ 2 4 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 6 , 9 9 9 . 2 5 , 4 4 9 2 1 , 9 4 9 1 4 . 4 5 1 2 . 7 6

$ 2 1 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 3 , 9 9 9 . 2 2 , 3 7 7 1 4 . 7 3 B a s e m e n t (full a n d

$ 1 8 , 0 0 0 - $ 2 0 , 9 9 9 . 2 0 , 0 5 4 1 4 .9 7 * p a r t i a l ) ............................ 2 5 , 9 1 2 1 5 , 7 9 2 1 5 . 9 4 1 2 . 9 6

$ 1 5 , 0 0 0 - $ 1 7 , 9 9 9 . 1 6 , 1 3 9 1 6 , 3 2 8 1 4 . 1 2 1 2 . 2 3 N o b a s e m e n t ....................... 2 5 , 7 4 3 1 3 , 5 3 4 1 5 . 9 4 1 0 . 7 5

$ 1 2 , 0 0 0 - $ 1 4 , 9 9 9 . 1 3 , 4 8 8 1 3 , 5 3 7 1 1 . 6 9 1 1 . 6 4

U n d e r $ 1 2 , 0 0 0 . . 1 0 , 1 7 5 1 0 , 6 2 3 1 0 . 6 4 1 0 . 5 4 G a r a g e ......................................... 2 8 , 4 0 1 1 5 , 1 0 8 1 6 . 3 9 1 1 . 6 7

C a r p o r t .................................... 1 9 , 2 8 6 1 3 , 1 0 3 1 3 . 5 7 1 1 . 3 5

A v e r a g e h o u r l y e a r n i n g s : N e i t h e r .................................... 1 5 , 1 6 1 1 4 , 1 2 2 1 3 . 8 8 1 2 . 4 0

$ 5 . 5 0 - o v e r . .... 2 8 , 7 7 6 ) 1 7 . 9 9 )

$ 4 . 5 0 - $ 5 . 4 9 . . . 2 9 , 5 9 9 > 1 4 , 7 6 5 1 7 .2 1 > 1 1 . 5 0 F r a m e :

$ 3 . 5 0 - $ 4 . 4 9 . . . 2 7 , 4 1 5 / 1 5 . 6 8 / W o o d ....................... 2 5 , 7 1 4 1 4 , 7 1 3 1 5 . 7 2 1 1 . 8 8

$ 2 . 5 0 - $ 3 . 4 9 . . . 2 1 , 1 9 3 1 5 , 2 7 4 1 4 . 3 9 1 2 . 6 0 M a s o n r y .... 2 6 , 7 4 2 1 3 , 7 9 2 1 7 . 4 2 1 1 . 0 2

U n d e r $ 2 . 5 0 . . . 1 3 , 8 5 6 1 3 , 2 0 0 1 0 . 8 0 1 0 . 9 0

E x t . w a l l :

N u m b e r o f s q u a r e f e e t : B r i c k ....................... 2 3 , 8 6 2 1 4 , 7 7 7 1 4 . 2 5 1 1 . 7 0

2 0 0 0 - o v e r ................... 3 6 , 6 3 8 } 1 5 . 5 2 } W o o d ....................... 3 1 , 1 3 0 1 2 , 7 8 6 1 7 .9 1 1 1 . 9 8

1 8 0 0 - 1 9 9 9 .... 3 0 , 9 1 9 \ 1 6 . 5 U S t u c c o ....................... 2 7 , 0 6 0 1 4 , 9 4 0 1 7 . 0 9 1 1 . 1 5

1 6 0 0 - 1 7 9 9 _______ 2 8 , 2 4 4 1 1 8 , 8 9 5 1 6 . 5 9 ( 1 1 . 1 9 O t h e r ....................... 2 4 , 7 0 8 1 5 , 1 0 6 1 6 . 4 2 1 1 . 9 8

1 4 0 0 - 1 5 9 9 .... 2 4 , 3 3 5 / 1 6 . 5 3 /

1 2 0 0 - 1 3 9 9 .... 2 1 , 1 0 6 1 5 , 1 5 6 1 6 . 4 2 1 1 . 7 4 I n t e r i o r w a l l:

1 0 0 0 - 1 1 9 9 1 6 , 3 8 9 1 3 , 5 5 4 1 5 . 2 2 1 2 . 4 7 D r y w a l l ................... 2 5 , 8 4 9 1 4 , 0 9 9 1 5 . 9 9 1 1 . 6 3

U n d e r 1 0 0 0 P l a s t e r .................. 2 6 , 9 4 2 1 6 , 6 8 2 1 5 . 8 8 1 2 . 2 8

s q u a r e f e e t . . 1 2 , 0 7 3 1 0 , 9 8 0 1 3 . 9 6 1 1 . 5 9

H e a t i n g :

C o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t p e r W a r m a i r .... 2 6 , 1 5 4 1 4 , 3 6 3 1 5 . 9 9 1 1 . 6 0

s q u a r e f o o t : H o t w a t e r . . . . 3 4 , 8 2 2 1 6 , 7 0 2 1 8 . 4 6 1 2 . 7 4

$ 1 7 - o v e r ..... 3 2 , 7 5 4 ____ 1 9 . 3 9 m m m E l e c t r i c .................. 2 4 , 9 8 5 • • • 1 5 . 2 7 . . .

$ 1 6 - $ 1 6 . 9 9 . . . . 2 5 , 2 9 5 — 1 6 .3 1 —

$ 1 5 - $ 1 5 . 9 9 . . . . 2 5 , 9 0 4 ... 1 5 .5 1 ... F l o o r c o v e r i n g ..................

$ 1 4 - $ 1 4 . 9 9 . . . . 2 5 , 1 1 1 — 1 4 . 5 6 — W o o d ....................... 2 5 , 9 6 8 1 5 , 2 4 4 1 6 . 2 4 1 2 . 3 6

$ 1 3 - $ 1 3 . 9 9 . . . . 1 9 , 9 9 7 . . . 1 3 . 4 6 . . . A s p h a l t t i l e ,

$ 1 2 - $ 1 2 . 9 9 . . . . 2 2 , 6 8 1 — 1 2 . 4 0 — v i n y l t i l e .

$ 1 1 - $ 1 1 . 9 9 . . . . 1 5 , 8 7 6 — 1 1 . 4 8 — l i n o l e u m . . . 2 0 , 0 7 7 1 3 , 3 4 2 1 5 . 3 5 1 0 . 5 5

$ 1 0 - $ 1 0 3 9 . . . . 1 5 , 7 6 5 . . . 1 0 . 3 9 . . . O t h e r ....................... 2 6 , 8 9 3 1 3 ,1 3 1 1 5 . 7 4 1 0 . 7 5

U n d e r $ 1 0 . 0 0 . . 1 1 , 5 0 0 — 8 .7 1 —

B u i l d e r v o l u m e :

1 s t o r y ......................................... $ 2 3 , 0 8 1 $ 1 3 , 8 0 7 $ 1 5 . 5 3 $ 1 1 . 5 3 2 0 0 a n d o v e r . . 2 5 , 4 4 3 1 3 , 4 8 7 1 6 . 3 5 1 1 . 0 9

S p l i t l e v e l ........................... .... . 2 9 , 1 6 5 1 8 , 9 4 4 1 6 . 3 4 1 4 . 0 8 1 0 0 - 1 9 9 .... 3 0 , 0 4 6 1 3 , 6 4 7 1 8 .1 1 1 1 . 2 8

2 s t o r i e s ......................................... 3 1 , 1 9 3 . . . 1 6 . 4 8 . . . 5 0 - 9 9 . ................... 2 1 , 7 8 2 1 5 , 3 0 9 1 5 . 4 8 1 1 . 8 3

3 s t o r i e s ......................................... 3 7 , 4 0 9 ... 1 7 . 5 7 - - - U n d e r 5 0 . . . . 2 5 , 9 7 9 1 5 , 3 0 2 1 5 .5 1 1 2 . 2 8

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Table 7. Percent distribution of costs b y typ e o f construction, 1959*69.

T y p e o f c o n s t r u c t i o n

Y e a r o f 

c o n s t r u c t i o n T o t a l M a te r ia l s E q u i p m e n t

O n s i t e

w a g e s

O v e r h e a d a n d 

p r o f i t 1

P r i v a t e s i n g l e - f a m i l y h o u s i n g 2 ....................... 1 9 6 9 1 0 0 . 0 4 3 . 4 0 . 9 2 0 . 4 3 5 . 3

P r i v a t e s in g l e - f a m i l y h o u s i n g 2 ....................... 1 9 6 2 1 0 0 . 0 4 7 . 2 1 . 0 2 2 .1 2 9 . 7

N u r s i n g h o m e s ............................................................... 1 9 6 5 - 6 6 1 0 0 . 0 3 5 4 . 9 ( 3 ) 2 5 . 6 1 9 . 5

H o s p i t a l s ( H i l l - B u r t o n ) ......................................... 1 9 6 5 - 6 6 1 0 0 . 0 5 0 . 4 1 . 3 2 9 . 6 1 8 . 7

H o s p i t a l s ( H i l l - B u r t o n ) ......................................... 1 9 5 9 - 6 0 1 0 0 . 0 5 3 . 2 1 . 2 2 § . 2 1 7 . 4

E l e m e n t a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l s . . . 1 9 6 4 - 6 5 1 0 0 . 0 5 4 . 2 1 . 0 2 5 . 8 1 9 . 0

E l e m e n t a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l s . . . 1 9 5 9 1 0 0 . 0 5 4 .1 1 . 4 2 6 . 7 1 7 . 8

P u b l i c h o u s i n g ............................................................... 1 9 6 8 1 0 0 . 0 3 4 3 . 4 ( 3 ) 3 2 . 4 2 4 . 2

P u b l i c h o u s i n g ............................................................... 1 9 5 9 - 6 0 1 0 0 . 0 4 5 . 0 2 . 5 3 5 . 5 1 7 . 0

C o l le g e h o u s i n g .......................................................... 1 9 6 0 - 6 1 1 0 0 . 0 5 2 . 6 1 . 6 2 9 . 3 1 6 . 5

F e d e r a l o f f i c e b u i l d i n g s ......................................... 1 9 5 9 1 0 0 . 0 5 1 . 4 1 . 9 2 9 . 0 1 7 . 7

F e d e r a l l y a i d e d h i g h w a y s ................................ 1 9 7 0 1 0 0 . 0 4 5 . 0 (4 ) 2 5 . 6 4 2 9 . 4

F e d e r a l l y a i d e d h i g h w a y s ................................ 1 9 6 7 1 0 0 . 0 4 7 . 8 (4 ) 2 4 . 8 4 2 7 . 4

F e d e r a l l y a i d e d h i g h w a y s ................................ 1 9 6 4 1 0 0 . 0 5 0 . 3 5 1 1 .1 2 6 . 0 1 2 . 6

F e d e r a l l y a i d e d h i g h w a y s ................................ 1 9 6 1 1 0 0 . 0 5 2 . 6 5 1 1 . 7 2 4 . 7 1 1 . 0

F e d e r a l l y a i d e d h i g h w a y s ................................

C iv il w o r k s ( C o r p s o f E n g i n e e r s ) :

1 9 5 8 1 0 0 . 0 5 0 . 6 5 1 2 . 0 2 3 . 9 1 3 . 5

L a n d o p e r a t i o n s .................................................. 1 9 5 9 - 6 0 1 0 0 . 0 3 5 . 0 1 9 . 3 2 6 . 0 1 9 . 7

D r e d g i n g ...................................................................

S e w e r w o r k s :

1 9 5 9 - 6 0 1 0 0 . 0 1 7 . 3 2 4 . 9 3 2 . 3 2 5 . 5

L i n e s ............................................................................ 1 9 6 2 - 6 3 1 0 0 . 0 4 4 . 5 1 1 . 2 2 4 . 3 2 0 . 0

P l a n t s ............................................................................ 1 9 6 2 - 6 3 1 0 0 . 0 4 9 . 2 8 . 2 2 6 . 6 1 6 . 0

1 Includes o ffsite wages, co n stru ctio n financing costs, inventory 

and o th er overhead, and o th er overhead, and adm inistrative 

expenses, as well as p ro fit.

2 F o r single-fam ily housing, co n stru ctio n c o sts includes selling 

expenses in ad d itio n to c o n stru ctio n c o n tra c t costs.

Table 8. Distribution of construction costs for new

private single-family houses, by type of contractor,

1969

T y p e o f c o n t r a c t o r 1

P e r c e n t o f 

c o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t

A ll c o n t r a c t o r s ........................... 1 0 0 . 0

G e n e r a l ............................................................................ 5 3 . 5

C a r p e n t r y ........................................................................

P l u m b i n g , h e a t i n g , v e n t i l a t i n g a n d

7 . 5

a i r c o n d i t i o n i n g ............................................. 1 0 . 3

P a i n t i n g a n d p a p e r h a n g i n g ........................... 2 . 6

M a s o n r y a n d s t o n e w o r k ................................ 3 . 9

C o n c r e t e a n d s t u c c o w o r k ........................... 4 . 4

E l e c t r i c a l ( e x c e p t h e a t i n g ) ........................... 3 . 2

P l a s t e r i n g a n d l a t h i n g ......................................... . 7

R o o f i n g a n d s i d i n g .............................................

C e r a m i c t i l e , t e r r a z z o a n d m a r b l e

2 . 0

w o r k ........................................................................ 1 . 6

E x c a v a t i o n a n d g r a d i n g .................................... 1 . 2

W o o d f l o o r i n g ........................................................... . 7

O t h e r f l o o r i n g ........................................................... 2 .1

W a ll b o a r d ........................................................................ 2 . 9

A ll o t h e r t y p e s ...................................................... 3 . 4

1 C o n tracto rs are classified according to th e m ajor c o st com ­

p o n e n t o f w ork since m any perform ed m ore th an o n e o peration. 

NO TE: D etail m ay n o t add to to ta ls d u e to rounding.

3 E q uipm ent included w ith m aterials.

4 E q uipm ent included w ith overhead and p ro fit.

5 E stim ated by BLS.

Table 9. Average hourly earnings and average hourly

union wage rates paid for new private single-family

houses, by occupation 1969

O c c u p a t i o n

A v e r a g e h o u r l y 

e a r n i n g s

A v e r a g e u n i o n 

h o u r l y w a g e 

r a t e 1

A ll o c c u p a t i o n s . . $ 3 . 9 4 $ 5 . 1 4

C a r p e n t e r .................................................. 4 . 1 1 5 . 3 5

P a i n t e r ...................................................... 3 . 9 9 5 . 0 1

B r i c k l a y e r .................................................. 4 . 7 6 5 . 6 3

P l u m b e r .................................................. 4 . 8 5 5 . 7 3

C e m e n t f i n i s h e r ................................ 4 . 5 3 5 . 1 2

E l e c t r i c i a n ............................................. 4 . 8 6 5 . 5 7

P l a s t e r e r .................................................. 5 . 0 2 5 . 3 4

S h e e t - m e t a l w o r k e r ....................... 4 . 6 0 5 . 4 8

R o o f e r ...................................................... 4 . 7 8 5 .1 1

O p e r a t i n g e n g i n e e r ....................... 4 . 3 6 N .A .

T i l e s e t t e r ............................................. 4 . 1 4 5 . 2 5

S o f t f l o o r l a y e r . ........ 4 . 6 8 N . A .

L a b o r e r .................................................. 2 . 9 3 ) A HR

H e l p e r a n d t e n d e r ........................... 2 . 5 6 )

T r u c k d r i v e r ............................................. 3 . 5 4 N .A .

1 Covers all building trad es in residential and nonresidential 

c o n stru ctio n as o f Ju ly 1, 1969.

N.A. - N ot available.

15

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 10. Distribution o f on-site wage share o f costs for

new, private single-family houses, 1969 and 1962

O n s i t e w a g e s a s p e r c e n t o f 

c o n t r a c t c o s t

P e r c e n t o f h o u s e s s u r v e y e d

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2

A ll g r o u p s ................................ 1 0 0 . 0 1 0 0 . 0

1 5 . 0 a n d u n d e r ............................................. 9 . 8 3 . 0

1 5 .1 - 2 0 . 0 ...................................................... 4 1 . 7 3 1 . 7

2 0 .1 - 2 5 . 0 ...................................................... 3 0 . 4 4 5 . 5

2 5 .1 - 3 0 . 0 ••••••••••••• 1 3 . 7 1 6 . 8

3 0 . 1 a n d o v e r ................................................. 4 . 4 3 . 0

Table 11. Comparison of materials and equipment in new private single-family houses, 1969 and 1962

M a te r ia l t y p e

C o s t o f m a t e r i a l p e r $ 1 , 0 0 0 

o f c o n s t r u c t i o n

C o s t o f m a t e r i a l p e r 1 0 0 

s q u a r e f e e t

P e r c e n t d i s t r i b u t i o n 1

1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2 1 9 6 9 1 9 6 2

A il m a t e r i a l s .................. $ 4 4 2 . 9 0 $ 4 8 2 . 4 0 $ 7 0 7 . 0 0 $ 5 6 7 . 4 0 1 0 0 . 0 1 0 0 . 0

L u m b e r a n d W o o d p r o d u c t s

( i n c l u d i n g f u r n i t u r e ) .................. 1 7 9 . 6 0 1 9 3 . 2 0 2 8 6 . 3 0 2 2 7 . 2 0 4 0 . 6 4 0 . 0

R o u g h a n d d r e s s e d 

l u m b e r .................................... 1 0 1 . 6 0 * 1 1 0 . 1 0 1 6 2 . 0 0 4 1 2 9 . 5 0 2 2 . 9 4 2 2 . 8

M i l l w o r k .................................... 3 8 . 1 0 5 1 . 3 0 6 0 . 7 0 6 0 . 3 0 8 . 6 1 0 . 6

A ll o t h e r l u m b e r 

p r o d u c t s 3 ................................ 4 0 . 0 0 3 1 . 8 0 6 3 . 6 0 3 7 . 4 0 9 . 0 6 . 6

S t o n e , c l a y a n d g l a s s p r o d u c t s . 9 5 . 3 0 1 1 6 . 6 0 1 5 3 . 4 0 1 3 7 . 1 0 2 1 . 5 2 4 . 2

C e m e n t , c o n c r e t e & 

g y p s u m .................................... 5 4 . 5 0 7 6 . 7 0 8 7 . 0 0 9 0 . 2 0 1 2 . 3 1 5 . 9

S t r u c t u r a l c l a y p r o d u c t s 2 2 . 0 0 1 9 . 7 0 3 5 . 0 0 2 3 . 2 0 5 . 0 4 .1

O t h e r s t o n e , c l a y & 

g la s s p r o d u c t s 4 ..... 1 8 . 9 0 2 0 . 2 0 3 1 . 4 0 2 3 . 8 0 4 . 3 4 . 2

M e ta l p r o d u c t s ( e x c e p t

p l u m b i n g a n d h e a t i n g ) . . . 4 1 . 8 0 5 5 . 0 0 6 6 . 6 0 6 4 . 7 0 9 . 4 1 1 . 4

F a b r i c a t e d m e t a l 

p r o d u c t s .................. 3 1 . 2 0 3 6 . 4 0 4 9 . 8 0 4 2 . 8 0 7 . 0 7 . 5

O t h e r m e t a l p r o d u c t s . . 1 0 . 6 0 1 8 . 6 0 1 6 . 8 0 2 1 . 9 0 2 . 4 3 . 9

P l u m b i n g P r o d u c t s ........................... 3 0 . 6 0 2 6 . 8 0 4 8 . 7 0 3 1 . 5 0 6 . 9 5 . 6

H e a t i n g , v e n t i l a t i n g a n d a i r

c o n d i t i o n i n g e q u i p m e n t . . . 1 8 . 4 0 1 8 . 5 0 2 9 . 2 0 2 1 . 8 0 4 . 2 3 . 8

E l e c t r i c a l e q u i p m e n t , f i x t u r e s

a n d w i r e s ( e x c e p t h e a t i n g ) . 1 7 . 4 0 1 7 . 6 0 2 7 . 8 0 2 0 . 7 0 3 . 9 3 . 6

B u i l t - i n m a j o r a p p l i a n c e s 

( r e f r i g e r a t o r s , d i s h w a s h e r s , 

d r y e r s , w a s h e r s , r a n g e s , 

d i s p o s a l s ) ............................................. 1 1 . 2 0 1 3 . 7 0 1 7 . 8 0 1 6 . 1 0 2 . 5 2 . 8

P e t r o l e u m p r o d u c t s . ....................... 8 . 0 0 1 1 . 1 0 1 2 . 7 0 1 3 . 1 0 1 . 8 2 . 3

P a i n t s a n d o t h e r c h e m i c a l s . . . 8 . 0 0 1 0 . 3 0 1 2 . 8 0 1 2 . 1 0 1 . 8 2 .1

A ll o t h e r ...................................................... 3 2 . 5 0 1 9 . 6 0 5 1 . 8 0 2 3 . 1 0 7 . 3 4 .1

C a r p e t s , r u g s , m a t s a n d 

p a d s .................................... . . 8 . 3 0 1 . 0 0 1 3 . 2 0 1 . 2 0 1 . 9 .2

P l a s t i c s p r o d u c t s .................. 5 . 2 0 3 . 0 0 8 . 3 0 3 . 5 0 1 . 2 .6

C o n s t r u c t i o n e q u i p ­

m e n t ( r e n t a l c o s t o r 

e q u i v a l e n t ) ........................... 8 . 6 0 9 . 8 0 1 3 . 7 0 1 1 . 5 0 1 . 9 2 . 0

M i s c e l l a n e o u s ........................... 1 0 . 4 0 5 . 8 0 1 6 . 6 0 6 . 9 0 2 . 3 1 . 2

1 Based u p o n m aterials p er $ 1 ,0 0 0 . P ercents are th e sam e s , nc|ude8 w ood k ltch en and b ath ro o m c ab in ets and vanities,

o n a square fo o tag e basis e x ce p t fo r rounding. 4 , nclude8 8and, grave|, and d lrt f

2 Includes d a ta fo r p refab ricated o r packaged houses n o t

b ro k en d o w n in to separate w o o d co m p o n en ts. N O T E : D etail m ay n o t add to to ta ls d u e to rounding.

16

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 12. Cost and type o f materials and equipm ent in new private single-fam ily houses, 1969

Type of material and equipment

Value per $1,000

of construction

price

Value per 100

square feet of

livable space

Percent of total

materials and

equipment

Material and equipment

T o t a l.............................................................................................. $442.85 $706.95 100.0

Material

T o t a l........................................................................... 434.02 692.87 98.00

Agricultural production............................................................... 2.19 3.50 .50

Nursery stock, shrubberies, grass seed........................... 2.16 3*44 .49

Mining and quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels . 3.93 6.27 .89

Sand and g ra v e l............................................................... 3.44 5.48 .78

Dirt f i l l .............................................................................. .49 .78 .11

Textile mill p rod u cts........................... ...................................... 8.40 13.40 1.90

Carpets, rugs, mats and pads.......................................... 8.28 13.20 1.87

O a k u m .............................................................................. .11 .18 .02

Apparel and other finished products made from fabrics and

similar materials..................................................................... (M (M

Curtains.............................................................................. (M (M (M

Lumber and wood products, except furniture........................ 165.64 264.03 37.40

Softwood flooring, and all other softwood, rough

lumber and finished lum ber..................................... 101.60 161.95 22.94

Hardwood flooring and all other hardwood lumber,

including parquet flo o r .................................... .. 7.20 11.47 1.62

Shakes, shingles.............................. ................................ 3.32 5.30 .75

MiIIwork, including windows, moulding, trim, doors.

porches, staircases, weatherstrip, cornices,

ready-made roof trusses, structural members,

prefab wood panels....................................... ... 38.21 60.91 8.63

Plywood, veneers............................................................. 12.76 20.34 2.88

Ladders, scaffolds, miscellaneous................................. 2.52 4.02 .57

Furniture and fix tu re s ............................................................... 14.53 23.16 3.28

Ready-made wood kitchen cabinets, vanities............... 14.00 22.32 3.16

Metal cabinets.................. ................................................ .43 .69 .10

Venetian blinds, curtains and drapery rods, window

shades........................................................................... (M (M

Paper and allied products ......................................................... 2.90 4.62 .66

Masking tapes, adhesive tape ....................................... .50 .80 .11

Wallpaper........................ ? ................................................ .48 .77 .11

Construction paper, fiberboard insulation, asbestos

board insulation and acoustical t i t l e ..................... 1.91 3.04 .43

Chemicals and allied products................................................ .. 8.04 12.83 1.82

Plastics adhesives, plastics vapor barrier sheets . . . . .16 .26 .04

Floor wax, paint cleaner, thinners, polish..................... .22 .35 .05

Lacquer, paint, putty, se a le rs ....................................... 6.29 10.03 1.42

Fertilizer........................................................................... .21 .32 .05

Adhesives: glue, epoxy, paste....................................... .50 .79 .11

Grouts, insulating compounds, synthetic rubber and

plastics sealants, silicones (damp-proofing)............ .35 .55 .08

Other inorganic chem icals............................................. .23 .37 .05

Petroleum refining and related industries................................. 7.95 12.69 1.80

Fuels: diesel fuel, gas, oil, grease................................. .44 .69 .10

Asphalt paving .................................... .......................... .38 .61 .09

17

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 12. Cost and type o f m aterials and equipm ent in new private single-fam ily houses, 1969—Continued

Type of material and equipment

Value per $1,000

of construction

price

Value per 100

square feet of

livable space

Percent of total

materials and

equipment

Material-Continued

Petroleum refining and related industries—Continued

Roof pitch, asphalt board insulation and rolls,

asphalt shingles, asphalt sheathing and siding,

building felts, composition, asphalt tar, mastics

and em ulsions............................................................ 7.07 11.30 1.60

Miscellaneous petroleum products................................. (M (M <M

Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products........................... 5.97 9.52 1.35

Rubber products, foam rubber mats, rubber flooring,

weatherstrip............................................................... .75 1.20 .17

Plastics products, plastics pipes, fiberglass shower

stalls, plastics tile, plastics fixtures and conduits,

styrofoam insulation, vinyl wall covering. . . . . . 5.22 8.32 1.18

Stone, clay, glass and concrete p rod u cts................................. 94.45 150.55 21.33

Window glass, insulating g la s s ....................................... .15 .23 .03

Mirrors, shower doors, glass porch d o o rs ..................... 2.60 4.14 .59

Hydraulic cem e nt............................................................ 3.75 5.97 .85

Clay brick, chimney block, structural clay title .... 14.80 23.59 3.34

Ceramic t i l e ..................................................................... 5.88 9.38 1.33

Refractory brick, fire brick and tile ........................... .44 .70 .10

Clay drain tile, adobe brick, clay chimney pipe, clay

roofing tile, clay sewer p ip e .................................... 1.30 2.07 .29

Vitreous china bathroom accessories, closet bowls,

plumbing fixtu res...................................................... 2.96 4.72 .67

Concrete block, concrete brick, cinder b l o c k ............ 7.34 11.70 1.66

Concrete pipe, concrete laundry trays, concrete drain

tile, precast terrazzo................................................... .91 1.44 .20

Ready-mix concrete......................................................... 28.79 45.90 6.50

L im e ................................................................................. .28 .45 .06

Plaster, wallboard, gypsum ............................................. 13.54 21.59 3.06

Building marble, roof slate, other cut s to n e ............... 1.74 2.77 .39

Sandpaper, abrasives, steel wool ................................. .10 .16 .02

Asbestos cement shingles, siding, asphalt tile flooring,

asbestos cement pipe, vinyl asbestos tile, asbestos

cement adhesives...................................................... 2.76 4.40 .62

Asbestos (pipe) in su la tio n ............................................. .59 .94 .13

Perlite, crushed rock ve rm icu lite ................................. 1.31 2.09 .30

Fiberglass insulating and acoustical tile, mineral

wool, pre-moulded fiberglass (FRD products) . . . 4.27 6.81 .96

Stucco, other nonmetal lie minerals ............................... .92 1.46 .21

Primary metal products.......................................... .................... 22.37 36.65 5.05

Structural steel, bars, beams, floors, and

other structural sh ap es............................................. 2.64 4.21 .60

Ferrous nails, staples, including insulated wire............ 2.62 4.17 .59

Cast iron products, including cast iron p ip e ............... 3.88 6.18 .88

L e a d ................................................................................. .42 .68 .10

Copper pipe and tubing................................................... 7.72 12.31 1.74

Solder................................................................................. .14 .22 .03

Nonferrous wire, including insulated w ire................... 4.87 7.77 1.10

Nonferrous nails, staples................................................ (M (M <M

Fabricated metal products, except ordnance, machinery

and transportation equipm ent............................................. 57.14 91.07 12.90

Builders hardware, including door locks, hinges,

angles irons ............................................................... 6.06 9.66 1.37

Metal bathroom and enameled iron fixtures, metal

shower sta lls............................................................... 13.96 22.25 3.15

Brass plumbing fittings and trim ................................. 6.34 10.10 1.43

18

Digitized for FRASER 

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 12. Cost and type o f materials and equipm ent in new private single-fam ily houses, 1969—Continued

Type of material and equipment

Value per $1,000

of construction

price

Value per 100

square feet of

livable space

Percent of total

materials and

equipment

Material-Continued

Fabricated metal products, except ordnance, machinery

and transportation equipment—Continued

Warm air furnaces, boilers, furnaces and radiators,

except electrical radiators, unit heaters,

incinerators, condensors ....................................... 3.91 6.23 .88

Metal doors and windows, sash, frames, molding and

trim; overhead rolling d o o r s .................................... 8.03 12.79 1.81

Metal oil tanks, metal septic tanks, fabricated metal

plate products............................................................ 1.24 1.98 .28

Sheet metal products, including spouts, ducts,

gutters, etc ............................................................... 9.87 15.74 2.23

Ornamental metal work, registers, grilles, diffusers . . 1.65 2.63 .37

Reinforcing rods, bars, prefab panels, curtain walls . . 1.88 3.00 .42

Bolts, nuts, screws, rivets, washers.................. ... .12 .18 .03

Reinforcing mesh wire, lath wire, clips ..................... 1.67 2.67 .38

Nonbrass pipe fittings and plumbing fixtures, pipe

hangers, valves ......................................................... 1.03 1.64 .23

Steel ladders and plankings, other fabricated

metal products............................................................ 1.32 2.10 .30

Machinery, except electrical...................................................... 8.41 13.41 1.90

Pumps................................................................................. .68 1.08 .15

Sprinkler systems (fire prevention) . .............................. .26 .42 .06

Complete air conditioning units, humidifiers............... 6.91 11.01 1.56

Sewage disposal equipment, water treatment

equipment (filters, softeners, etc.)........................... .56 .90 .13

Electrical machinery, equipment and supplies........................ 29.98 47.80 6.77

Fuses, panelboards, switchboards................................. 2.10 3.35 .47

Gas ranges, ovens ......................................................... 5.74 9.16 1.30

Refrigerators, fre e z e rs ................................................... .70 1.11 .16

Dryers, washing m ach in es............................................. (M (M (M

Fans, baseboard heating units, electric ovens, wall

heaters........................................................................ 2.25 3.58 .51

Dishwashers, water heaters (electric and nonelectric),

garbage disposal units ............................................. 8.63 13.77 1.95

Fluorescent fixtures, light fix tu re s .............................. 5.39 8.60 1.22

Current carrying devices (switches, connections,

receptacles)............................................................... 2.32 3.69 .52

Noncurrent carrying devices (boxes, insulators.

conduits)..................................................................... 1.77 2.82 .40

Intercom, T .V . systems, clock and electric timing

systems........................................................................ .42 .66 .09

Electric bells and chimes, automatic g a te s .................. .44 .71 .10

Professional, scientific, and controlling instruments,

photographic and optical goods; watches and clocks . . . .63 1.00 .14

Gas and water meters, g a u g es....................................... .34 .54 .08

Thermostats, temperature co n tro ls .............................. .29 .46 .06

Miscellaneous manufacturing in d u strie s ................................. 1.41 2.24 .32

Paint rollers, paint brushes............................................. (M (M (M

Linoleum ................................................ .......................... 1.34 2.13 .30

Equipment

T o t a l........................................................................... 8.83 14.08 2.00

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Table 12. Cost and type o f materials and equipem nt in new private single-fam ily houses, 1969—Continued

Type of material and equipment

Value per $1,000

of construction

price

Value per 100

square feet of

livable space

Percent of total

materials and

equipment

Fabricated metal products, except ordnance, machinery,

and transportation equipm ent............................................. .26 .41 .06

Non-power hand t o o ls ................................................... .15 .22 .03

Saws and blades...................................................... .. (M <M * P>

Machinery, except electrical ................................................... 5.27 8.43 1.19

Non-electric engines and motors ................................. .28 .44 .06

Tractors, bulldozers, backhoes, trenchers, drill rigs.

scrapers, graders, rollers, mixers, pavers, front end

loaders, payloaders, power cranes, draglines,

power sh o vels............................................................ 4.38 6.99 .99

F o rk lifts ........................................................................... .13 .21 .03

Power handtools, d rills ................................................... .32 .51 .07

Compressors, jack-hammers, accessories..................... .11 .18 .02

Electrical machinery. Equipment and s u p p lie s ..................... (M (M (M

Electric motor and generators....................................... (M (M (M

Transportation equipm ent......................................................... 3.28 5.22 .74

Trucks (highw ay)............................................................ 3.26 5.19 .74

1 Lest than 10 cents reported per $1000. Due to rounding and exclusion of items in detail worth less than 10 cents per $1000

detail may not add to subtotals.

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Table 13. Surveyed contractors working under labormanagement agreement, by type and class of worker

covered, 1969

Number

Class of workers covered

Type of contractor

of

contractors

All

workers

Skilled

only

Unskilled

only

Combination

but not

all

All contractors

covered . . 1,347 1,212 96 4 35

General..................... 44 30 6 3 5

Carpentry.................. 177 155 14 0 8

Plumbing, heating,

ventilating and air

conditioning . . . 166 154 11 0 1

Painting and paper

hanging............... 57 51 5 0 1

Masonry and

stonework. . ... 74 71 3 0 0

Concrete and stucco

w o r k .................. 108 97 3 0 8

Electrical (except

heating)............... 78 69 8 0 1

Plastering and

lathing.................. 12 11 1 0 0

Roofing and siding . 91 87 3 0 1

Ceramic tile,

terrazzo and

marble work . . . 58 45 11 0 2

Excavation and

grading............... 53 49 3 0 1

Wood flooring .... 39 36 1 0 2

Other flooring . . . . 89 81 8 0 0

Wall board.................. 75 67 6 0 2

All other types . . . 226 209 13 1 3

Table 15. General contractors' most common obstacles

to efficiency, 1969

Obstacles to efficiency

Percent

of

Replies

Total Replies.......................................... 100

Inadequately skilled w o r k e r s .............................. 23

Restrictive building c o d e s .................................... 20

High interest rates, shortage of financing............ 14

Bad work practices, union interference ............ 14

Government interference, red t a p e ..................... 5

High labor c o sts ...................................................... 4

Sub-contractor problem s....................................... 3

Zoning problems...................................................... 2

Lack of worker training programs........................ 2

High cost of land, scarcity of land........................ 2

High building materials costs................................. 2

Skilled supervisor shortages................................. 2

Miscellaneous............................................................ 7

Table 14. Construction workers employed by surveyed

contractors in January and July 1969, by type of

contractor

Type of contractor

January

1969

July

1969

Percent

January

of

July

Total. . . . 64,199 78,664 81.6

General..................... 3,120 3,756 83.1

Carpentry..................

Plumbing, heating,

ventilating and

9,307 12,503 74.4

air conditioning .

Painting and paper

9,211 10,906 84.5

hanging...............

Masonry and stone2,265 2,767 81.9

work ..................

Concrete and stucco

3,525 4,678 75.4

w o r k ..................

Electrical (except

6,723 9,505 70.7

heating)............... 4,164 4,562 91.3

Plastering and lathing 755 767 98.4

Roofing and siding. .

Ceramic tile,

terrazzo and

4,721 5,458 86.5

marble work . . .

Excavation and

1,365 1,506 90.6

grading............... 879 1,387 63.4

Wood flooring .... 3,809 3,642 104.6

Other flooring .... 2,358 2,725 86.5

Wall board.................. 5,171 6,058 85.4

All other types . . . 6,826 8,444 80.8

Table 16. Capital improvements included in land value

of surveyed houses, 1969

Capital improvements

Percent of lots containing

improvement1

Utilities (except sewers)2 ..... 81.2

S tre e ts .......................................... 74.8

Sewer h o o k u p .............................. 62.4

Curbs and gutters........................ 26.4

Sidewalks.............................. ... 16.4

Community recreation facilities .

Storm drains.................................

14.8

11.6

Street lig hting.............................. 7.2

1 Not additive.

2 May be gas, electricity, water, or any combination.

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Table 17. Prefab items included in surveyed houses,

1969

Prefab item Percent of houses

containing item1

Preassembled w ind ow s............... 78.4

Kitchen cabinets........................... 77.6

Prehung d o o rs .............................. 64.4

Bathroom or bedroom dressing

vanities ................................. 46.4

Precut lu m b e r.............................. 30.4

Offsite fabricated ductwork . . . 28.4

Staircase u n its .............................. 24.8

1 Not additive.

Table 18. Distribution of surveyed contractors' work,

by type of construction, 1969

Type o f construction

Percent

of total

volume

T o t a l...................................................... 100.0

Single-family . .......................................................... 91.0

M ultifam ily (1-4 sto ries)....................................... 6.4

M ultifam ily (5 or more stories).............................. .6

Other co n stru ctio n ..................... ........................... 2.1

N O TE: Due to rounding, detail may not add to 100.0

percent.

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A p p e n d i x A . S u r v e y T e c h n i q u e s a n d M e t h o d s

T h e basic sam ple fo r th is survey con sisted o f a

subsam ple o f the sin g le-fam ily houses in the B ureau o f

the Census “ H o u sin g Starts S u rve y .” T h e H ou sin g Starts

sam ple consists o f resid en tial b u ild in g s fro m tw o types

o f areas— those th at requ ire b u ild in g p erm its and those

th a t d o n o t. T h e H o u sin g Starts sam ple covers 122 areas

com p risin g 3 04 in d ep en d en t cou n ties and citie s. A

sam ple o f b u ild in g perm its, ob tain ed each m o n th from

600 p erm it issuing ju risd ictio n s (in clu d in g citie s, tow ns,

villages, tow n ships, o r cou n ties), is selected in p ro p o rtio n to the num ber o f h ou sin g u nits reported on the

p erm it. A ll b u ild in g s and h ou sin g u n its covered b y the

perm its are in clu d e d . T h is p roced u re y ie ld s a sam ple o f

a bo u t 4 ,0 0 0 b u ild in g s a m o n th , a p p ro x im ately 65

percen t o f w h ich are sin g le-fam ily houses.

W ith in the 122 areas, 91 co n ta in som e n on p erm it

ju risd ictio n s. In these areas a sam ple o f b u ild in g s is

ob tain ed each m o n th as follo w s:

1. A lis t o f resid en tial co n stru ctio n th at has been

started in these areas d u rin g the precedin g m o n th is

ob ta in ed fro m a group o f persons m ost lik e ly to kn ow

abo ut new h ou sin g co n stru ctio n . T h is lis t is verified b y

fie ld v isit o r telephone c a ll.

2. A subsam ple o f 2 9 0 predesignated la n d area

segm ents, lo ca te d th ro u g h o u t the n o n p e rm it p o rtio n o f

the 91 areas, is canvassed b y Census fie ld interview ers to

o b ta in a lis t o f a ll resid en tial co n stru ctio n n o t rep orted

b y the m eth o d described above. T h e lis t is w eighted to

com pensate fo r houses m issed ou tsid e o f the canvassed

segm ents. T h e sam ple ob ta in ed b y th is procedure con ­

sists o f 8 0 0 to 1000 b u ild in g s, o f w h ich 95 percent o r

m ore are sin g le-fam ily hom es. F ro m th is sam ple, the

B L S subsam ple was p rovid ed b y the B ureau o f the

Census in tw o sections. T h e first sectio n covered

ju risd ictio n s w h ich h ad issued p erm its d u rin g th e calendar

year 1968. T h e second sectio n covered houses started in

n o n p erm it areas d u rin g calen dar year 1968.

T h e C ensus data o n p erm its are co m p ile d fro m p u b lic

records o f the lo ca l b u ild in g p erm it o ffice s. D ata fo r

areas th at d o n o t require perm its are co lle cte d in

interview s b y C ensus agents, are co n fid e n tia l, and therefore ca n n o t be given to another agency. C o n seq u e n tly,

Census co n d u cted a special survey fo r B L S o f houses in

the n o n p erm it p o rtio n o f the sam ple.

In a d d itio n to the address o f each house, th is special

survey p ro vid ed in fo rm a tio n th at enabled B L S to

stra tify p ro p e rly the Census sam ple befo re selecting the

subsam ple and to id e n tify houses on w h ich the ow ner or

other u n p a id h elp d id p art o r a ll o f the co n stru ctio n .

These ow n er-bu ilt houses w ere out-of-scope fo r the B L S

su rvey, and thus had to be id e n tifie d and discarded fro m

the Census sam ple.

B efore selecting the B L S subsam ple, w h ich was

restricted to the 4 8 con tig u ou s states, the B ureau o f the

Census stra tifie d the houses in th e ir “ S urvey o f C o n ­

stru ctio n ” , as fo llo w s:

1. In b u ild in g p erm it areas b y :

a. T h e fo u r bro ad geographic regions

b . M e tro p o lita n and n o n m e tro p o lita n areas

c. P erm it value

2. In n o n b u ild in g p erm it areas b y :

a. T h e fo u r b ro ad geographic regions

b . M e tro p o lita n and n o n m e tro p o lita n areas

T h e subsam ple su p p lied b y the B ureau o f the Census

consisted o f a p p ro x im ately 1800 houses, 1300 in p erm it

areas and 500 in n o n p erm it areas. T h e oversize sam ple,

com pared w ith the fin a l B L S sam ple o f 250 houses,

allow ed su b stitu tion s w here ab so lu tely necessary. B L S

stra tifie d the Census subsam ple b e fo re p ick in g a fin a l

w orkin g subsam ple o f 25 0 houses as follo w s:

a. T h e n in e Census d ivision s

b . M e tro p o lita n and n o n m e tro p o lita n areas

b . C o st class

T h e B L S subsam ple w as d ivid ed betw een p erm it and

n on p erm it areas, in the sam e p ro p o rtio n as the Census

sam ple (i.e ., 72 percen t in p erm it areas and 28 percen t in

n on p erm it areas).

Q u o ta sam pling was used to p ic k the 2 5 0 houses from

the strata p ro d u ced b y the above p roced u re. T h a t is, a

certain percentage o f the 25 0 houses w as p ick e d fro m

each group o f strata. These q u ota percentages w ere

developed fo r the p o rtio n o f the sam ple a llo tte d to

p erm it issuing areas b y an alyzin g the geographic d istrib u ­

tio n o f perm its issued fo r sin gle-fam ily houses as show n

in “ C o n stru ctio n Reports;” C 4 0 / C 42-67-13 , an annual

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p u b lica tio n co m p ile d b y the B ureau o f the Census.

S im ila r percentages fo r the n on p erm it areas w ere supp lie d fro m u n p u blish ed data.

T h e fo llo w in g types o f houses w ere considered

out-of-scope fo r d ie survey:

a. P refab ricated houses. These in clu d e d sectio n alized

and m o d u la r hom es.

b . H ouses fo r w h ich the ow ner o r other u np aid h elp

d id m ore than a to ken p a rt o f the w ork.

c. H ouses valued at $ 7 5 ,0 0 0 or m ore, in clu d in g the

cost o f the la n d .

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A p p e n d i x B . P r o c e d u r e s U s e d t o D e v e l o p

O f f s i t e ( I n d i r e c t ) M a n - H o u r E s t i m a t e s

O ffsite em p loym en t estim ates w ere derived fro m the

m aterials and eq u ip m ent cost in fo rm a tio n ob tain ed fro m

the con tra cto rs and su bcon tractors coo p eratin g in the

stu d y . C o n tra cto rs p rovid ed a lis t o f the value o f each

typ e o f m aterial used in the co n stru ctio n o f sam ple

projects. F o r those few con tractors w ho w ere inaccessib le, estim ates w ere derived fro m sim ila r jo b s; co n tro l

to tals w ere su p p lie d b y the general co n tra cto r o r ow ner.

These m aterial listin g s w ere grouped in to categories

con sistent w ith the 4 -d ig it Stand ard Ind u stria l C la ssifica ­

tio n (S IC ) cod e. F o r each o f these p ro d u ct groups,

average am ounts o f m aterial (in d o llars) req u ired fo r

each $ 1 ,0 0 0 o f co n tra ct co n stru ctio n co st w ere determ ined . (See table 12.) T h e value o f m aterials fo r each

group was redu ced b y a ra tio representing the d ifferen ce

betw een valu ation b y the purchaser and valu ation b y the

p ro d u cer. (T h is ra tio was based on data p ro vid ed b y the

U .S . D ep artm ent o f C o m m erce, O ffic e o f Business

E co n o m ics.) T h is la tte r step was requ ired because a ll

data rep orted b y co n tra cto rs w ere in purchasers’ value,

and re d u ctio n to p rod u cers’ value was necessary to

m atch the B ureau’s in te rin d u stry sales and purchase

grouping d e fin itio n s fo r the in te rin d u stry grow th m od el.

V a lu e d ifferen ces w ere a llo ted to trade and transportatio n sectors.

E a ch m aterials g rouping then was m atched to a

corresp on d in g w holesale p rice in d e x and d eflated to

1958 p rices. T h is step w as req u ired because the in p u to u tp u t table was on a 1958 d o lla r basis.

E m p lo y m e n t in m an u factu rin g was d efin ed as the

la b o r req u ired to p rod u ce the co n stru ctio n b ill o f

m aterials in the fin a l stage o f fa b rica tio n . M in in g and

other in d u stry em p loym en t was the la b o r in a ll in d u stries in volved in p ro d u ctio n and tran sp o rtation o f

b u ild in g m aterials and equ ipm ent from basic e x tra ctio n

to , b u t n o t in clu d in g , the fin a l m an u factu rin g stage.

E m p lo y m e n t in the trade, tra n sp o rta tio n , and service

in d u stries was determ ined b y the d iffe ren ce betw een

prod u cers’ and purchasers’ value fo r each co n stru ctio n

m aterial. T h e 1958 In te rin d u stry S tu d y o f the O ffic e o f

Business E co n o m ics w as used to o b ta in these e m p lo y ­

m ent estim ates. F o r each group o f m aterials, the

in te rin d u stry stu d y p ro vid ed in fo rm a tio n on the am ount

o f p rod u cts req u ired fro m each o f its 78 in d u stry

sectors. T h e p ro d u ct data w ere con verted to m an-hours

b y use o f o u tp u t per m an-hour ratios fo r each in d u stry

w ith in the sectors. A d justm en ts fo r p rice and p ro d u ctiv ity w ere estim ated fo r years a fter 1958, con sistent

w ith the year o f co n stru ctio n and b ill o f m aterials.

F o r each o ffsite stage, a m an-hour figure per $ 1 ,0 0 0

o f co n stru ctio n was ob tain ed . W hen these m an-hours,

p lu s the b u ild e rs’ o ffsite em p loym en t, are com bin ed

w ith the d ire ct o r onsite m an-hours, the to ta l e m p lo y ­

m ent e ffe ct, w ith in the d e fin itio n used b y the stu d y , was

determ ined. O ffsite em p loym ent o f each co n stru ctio n

co n tra cto r was n o t co lle cte d d ire c tly fro m con tractors

since it is alm ost im p ossible to relate accu ra tely such

em p loym ent to the projects stu d ied . B u ild ers’ o ffsite

em p loym ent was o ccu p ied n o t o n ly w ith the sam ple

projects stu d ied , b u t also w ith other cu rren t o r fu tu re

projects. Instead, con tra cto rs o ffsite m an-hours fo r each

$ 1 ,0 0 0 o f co n stru ctio n co n tra ct w ere estim ated fro m

the d iffe ren ce betw een co n stru ctio n w orker e m p lo y ­

m ent and to ta l em p loym en t in the sp ecial trade co n ­

tractors’ co n stru ctio n in d u stry fo r 1969 as rep orted in

E m p lo y m e n t and Earn in g s, U .S . D ep artm ent o f L a b o r

B u lle tin 1312-7.

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A p p e n d i x C . D a t a C o l l e c t i o n P r o c e d u r e s

T h e co lle ctio n o f adequate and reliab le data fro m

co n stru ctio n co n tra cto rs w as m an d atory i f the survey

was to acco m p lish its desired goals. T w o m ajor e ffo rts

w ere in vo lved to achieve these ob jectives: tra in in g and

data co lle ctio n b y personal visits.

Training

E d u ca tio n and o rie n ta tio n in program rudim en ts w ere

acco m p lish ed in tw o w ays: F irs t, c o lle ctio n in stru ctio n s, aids, and schedules w ere used as a basis fo r

discussions at a W ashington con feren ce w h ich survey

co o rd in a to rs fro m each o f the eight B L S regional o ffice s

attended. S ta ff m em bers exp lain ed a ll facets o f the

stu d y in d eta il: ba ckg ro u n d , p u rp ose, sam pling p ro ­

cedures, and k in d s o f data to be co lle cte d from

respondents. O p e n discussions cla rifie d m isin terp retatio n s o f data co lle c tio n schedules. S econ d , regional

co o rd in a to rs, gen erally, h e ld conferences w ith fie ld

representatives to resolve any questions about data

co lle ctio n s.

Data collection by personal visit

B efore visitin g each general co n tra cto r, data co lle cto rs w ere advised, w hen feasible, to visit the sam ple

house b eing surveyed and m ake a pass-by surveillan ce.

T h is co n ta ct w o u ld p rovid e a backg ro un d o f general

sp ecifica tio n s (typ e o f ro o f, fram e, sid ing , num ber o f

stories, car acco m m od ation s, typ e w ind ow s, etc.) and

w ou ld enable the agent to establish better ra p p o rt w ith

the respondent.

C o m p lia n ce o f the general co n tra cto r w as cru cia l, fo r

w ith o u t h is co o p eratio n and release o f firm data the

en tire p ro ject h ad to be d rop p ed and a su bstitute

assigned. I f after exhausting every e ffo rt to ob tain

in fo rm a tio n a data co lle c to r was unable to e lic it co o p ­

era tio n , a su bstitute p ro ject was assigned. S u b stitu tio n

was avoid ed i f at a ll possible fo r it w as tim e-consum ing

and co stly as w ell as an aw kw ard sam pling tech niq ue to

deal w ith .

T h e data co lle c to r in itia lly exp lain ed the purpose o f

the survey to the general co n tra cto r and ob tain ed

general sp e cifica tio n s o f the sam ple house as w ell as

related in fo rm a tio n . N e x t, the data c o lle cto r ob tain ed

d etailed la b o r and m aterials in fo rm a tio n w h ich the

general co n tra cto r su p p lie d fo r the p ro ject house. T h is

assignm ent in vo lved an exam in atio n o f b illin g s and

receipts and a su m m ation o f ite m ized m aterials and costs

after e x clu d in g overhead and p ro fit. F re q u e n tly records

w ere k ep t in m ore than one file , and in m an y cases,

m aterial w as b ille d in q u a n tity fo r m ore than one house.

T h e agent was req u ired to analyze this in fo rm a tio n and

ob ta in the necessary adjustm ent fro m the respondent.

T h e data w ere review ed to m ake certain n o m aterials

w ere ove rlo ok ed and th at th e y w ere categorized in

acceptable cla ssifica tio n s (ap p ro xim a tin g , as clo se ly as

p o ssib le, fo u r d ig it S IC groupings).

P a yro lls o r sim ila r records w ere used w here possible

to o b ta in la b o r requirem ents data w h ich in clu d e d

o ccu p a tio n s, hours w orked , rates o f p a y , and to ta l gross

wages. I f these w ere n o t available or adjustm ents w ere

necessary, co n su lta tio n w ith the g e n e ra l. co n tra cto r

u su a lly y ie ld e d reliab le estim ates. T h e fin a l im p o rta n t

piece o f in fo rm a tio n ob tain ed fro m the general co n tra cto r w as a lis t o f su b con tractors’ addresses, to ta l value o f

each su b co n tra ct, and cu rren t status o f each su bcon tracto r. T h is in fo rm a tio n proved to be extrem ely h e lp fu l in

lo ca tin g su bcon tractors, and was essential i f a su bcon ­

tra cto r co u ld n o t be lo ca te d or refused to cooperate.

I n itia lly , su bcon tractors w ere co n tacted fo r a p p o in tm ents eith er b y ph on e o r b y d irect w alk-in —w hichever

seem ed m ost ex p ed itiou s to the data co lle cto r. T h e

purp ose o f the visit w as ex p lain ed , the p a rticu la r house

id e n tifie d , and the su b con tra ct value v e rifie d . W ith

assistance fro m the su b co n tra cto r, data on la b o r requ irem ents w ere n o rm a lly extracted fro m som e typ e o f tim e

records to m atch the jo b o ccu p a tio n and the w orkers’

gross p a y . In fo rm a tio n was ob tain ed on em p loyer

co n trib u tio n s fo r supplem ental b e n efits as w ell as data

on overtim e and u n io n iza tio n . T y p e and cost o f m aterials w ere ob tain ed either fro m b illin g s, receip ts, o r in

som e cases estim ates b y the su b co n tra cto r. T h e data

co lle c to r w ho w as fa m ilia r w ith each o p era tion review ed

la b o r and m aterials requirem ents to m ake certa in n o

item s h ad been o m itte d and th at data co n fo rm ed to the

survey crite ria . E a ch com p leted p roject w ith a ll schedules

then w as forw arded to the regional o ffice co o rd in a to r

26

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for edit and transmittal to Washington. A thorough 

edit was done in Washington and questions were referred 

back to the original data collector. In some cases the 

respondent was recontacted for clarification.

Data collection for single-family housing was very 

intricate and difficult due to the unusual nature of the 

respondents, the industry, and the complexity and detail 

of information. Many small subcontractors operating 

from their homes were not available during the day. 

Attempting to locate them and arrange an interview was 

difficult. Often a subcontractor would be traced to a job 

site but would not have accurate records. Some were 

“in-and-out-of-business” or transients. Occasionally, contractors would refuse to provide data and summary 

information was obtained from the general contractor or 

owner.

Data collectors occasionally were required to keep 

unorthodox business hours; contacts would start very 

early in the morning and end late at night. Weekend 

visits and two or more calls at the convenience of the 

respondent were not uncommon. In some cases a 

considerable amount of travel was required.

Adequate training under experienced data collectors 

overcame most of these obstacles and resulted in 

excellent cooperation from respondents. Out of nearly 

4,250 special trade contractors in the survey, only a 

small number (i.e., well under 10 percent) refused, could 

not be located, or provided no information. In each of 

these cases, the general contractor or owner supplied 

some information, such as contract value and type of 

operation.

27

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
B i b l i o g r a p h y

Publications of Construction Labor Requirements Studies 

Office of Productivity and Technology 

Bureau of Labor Statistics 

U.S. Department of Labor

Sales publications may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. 20402, or from the 

Regional Offices of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Free copies may be obtained, so long as supply lasts, from the 

Bureau’s Office of Productivity and Technology, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. 20212.

BULLETINS, REPORTS, AND ARTICLES

Civil works construction

Labor and Material Requirements for Civil Works Construction by the Corps o f Engineers, (BLS Bulletin 

1390), 1964,28 pages.

A statistical study of onsite and offsite man-hour and wage requirements for dredging and land-type 

projects in the U.S. Corps of Engineers’ civil works program from 1959 to 1960.

College housing construction

Labor and Material Requirements for College Housing Construction, (BLS Bulletin 1441), May 1965. 34 

pages.

A report based on findings in a survey of 43 college housing projects which were administered by the 

Community Facilities Administration. The survey is designed primarily to determine the man-hours 

required for $1,000 of college housing construction.

Miller, Stanley F., “Labor and Material Required for College Housing,” Monthly Labor Review, September 

1965, pp. 1100-1104.

This is a summary of BLS Bulletin 1441.

Federally aided highways

Labor and Material Requirements for Construction o f Federally-Aided Highways, 1958, 1961, and 1964 

(BLS Report No. 299), 17 pages.

This study provides measures for 1958, 1961, and 1964 of the labor and material requirements for 

federally-aided highways, with separate measures of the requirements for onsite and offsite construction. 

For onsite construction, the study also provides a comparison of annual man-hour requirements for

1947-64.

Kutscher, Ronald E. and Waite, Charles A., “Labor Requirements for Highway Construction,” Monthly

Labor Review, August 1961,4 pages.

Summarizes findings of the 1958 highway survey.

28

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Wakefield, Joseph C., “Labor and Material Requirements: Highway Construction, 1958 and 1961” , 

Monthly Labor Review, April 1963, pp. 394-398.

A summary comparison of the 1958 and 1961 highway surveys.

Federal office building construction

Labor Requirements for Federal Office Building Construction. (BLS Bulletin 1331), 1962,43 pages.

A statistical study of onsite and offsite labor requirements for constructing 22 Federal office building 

projects in various localities of the United States over a 3 year period from the fall of 1957 to 1960.

Murray, Roland V., “Labor Requirements for Federal Office Building Construction,” Monthly Labor

Review, August 1962, pp. 889-893.

A summary of BLS Bulletin 1331.

Hospital construction

Labor Requirements for Hospital Construction, (BLS Bulletin 1340), 1962.46 pages.

A statistical study of onsite and offsite labor requirements for construction of selected public and 

private, profit and non-profit, general hospitals in various localities of the United States between 

mid-1958 and mid-1959.

Rothberg, Herman J., “Labor Requirements for Hospital Construction, 1959-60” , Monthly Labor Review,

October 1962, pp. 1120-1124.

A summary of BLS Bulletin 1340.

Labor and Material Requirements for Hospital and Nursing Home Construction. (BLS Bulletin 1691) 

1971, 50 pages.

A study similar to the one done in 1962 but with data shown per square foot as well as per $1,000 of 

construction contract. Covers hospitals and nursing homes constructed in 1965-66.

Riche, Martha Farnsworth, “Man-hour Requirements Decline in Hospital Construction, Monthly Labor

Review, November, 1970. p. 48.

Summarizes BLS Bulletin 1691.

Private housing construction

Labor and Material Requirements for Private One-Family House Construction, (BLS Bulletin 1404), 1964, 

37 pages.

A statistical study of onsite and offsite labor requirements for constructing a sample of one-family 

houses built in 1962 in various localities of the United States.

Rothberg, Herman J., “Labor and Material Requirements for One-Family Housing,” Monthly Labor

Review, July 1964, pp. 797-800.

A summary of BLS Bulletin 1404.

Ball, Robert and Ludwig, Larry, “Labor Requirements for Construction of Single-Family Houses,” 

Monthly Labor Review, September 1971, pp. 12-14.

Summary of a study of labor and material requirements for single-family housing construction in 1969.

Public housing construction

Labor and Material Requirements for Public Housing Construction, (BLS Bulletin 1402), May 1964, 42 

pages.

A report based on findings of a survey of 31 public housing projects which were administered by the 

Public Housing Administration. Projects were selected in various States to represent four broad geographic 

regions of the conterminous United States.

29

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Finn, Joseph T., “Labor Requirements for Public Housing Construction,” Monthly Labor Review, April 

1972, pp. 40-42.

Summary of a study of labor requirements for public housing construction in 1968.

School construction

Labor Requirements for School Construction, (BLS Bulletin 1299), 1961, 50 pages.

A study of primary and secondary man-hours required per $1,000 of new school construction based on 

contracts awarded throughout the United States for 85 elementary and 43 junior and senior high schools.

Epstein, Joseph, and Walker, James F., “Labor Requirements for School Construction,” Monthly Labor

Review, July 1961, pp. 724-730.

A summary of BLS Bulletin 1299.

Labor and Material Requirements for School Construction, June 1968, (BLS Bulletin 1586), 23 pages.

A survey of selected elementary and secondary public schools constructed primarily during the period 

of 1964-65. In addition to providing information on man-hours, the study also includes data on the types 

of value of materials used, wages paid, occupations and use of apprentices.

Finn, Joseph T., “Labor Requirements for School Construction,” Monthly Labor Review, August 1968, 

pp. 40-43.

A summary of BLS Bulletin 1586.

Sewer works construction

Labor and Material Requirements for Sewer Works Construction, (BLS Bulletin 1490), 1966, 31 pages.

This study was designed to measure the total man-hours of labor required for each $1,000 of new 

sewer facilities construction contract. The basis for this study was 138 contracts for new sewer work in 

the years 1962-1963.

Summaries, comparisons, and other papers

Ball, Claiborne M., “Employment Effects of Construction Expenditures,” Monthly Labor Review,

February 1965, pp. 154-158.

A summary of the man-hour requirements broken down by offsite and onsite hours, by occupation and 

regions for eight types of construction.

“Construction Labor Requirements,” reprint of Chapter 28 of The Handbook o f Methods for Survey s and

Studies, BLS Bulletin 1711,1971.

Describes techniques of CLR studies.

Ziegler, Martin, “BLS Construction Labor Requirements Program,” paper before the North American 

Conference on Labor Statistics, San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 1971.

CLR program and objectives are discussed.

Weinberg, Edgar, Mechanization and Automation o f Building Site Work, National Response paper for the 

Economic Commission for Europe, Committee on Housing, Building and Planning, Third Seminar on the 

Building Industry, Moscow, October 1970.

Discusses current technology and labor requirements at the construction site.

Weinberg, Edgar, “Reducing Skill Shortages in Construction,” Monthly Labor Review, February 1969, 

pp. 3-9.

Discusses methods for reducing occupational shortages.

30 ☆ U. S. G O V ERN M EN T PRIN TIN G O F F IC E : 1972 O - 484-793 (122)

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BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

REGIONAL OFFICES

Region I

1603 JF K Federal Building

Government Center

Boston, Mass. 02203

Phone: 223-6762 (Area Code 617)

Region II

1515 Broadway

New York, N.Y. 10036

Phone: 971-5405 (Area Code 212)

Region III

406 Penn Square Building

1317 Filbert St.

Philadelphia, Pa. 19107

Phone: 597-7796 (Area Code 215)

Region IV

Suite 540

1371 Peachtree St. NE.

Atlanta, Ga. 30309

Phone: 526-5418 (Area Code 404)

Region V

8th Floor, 300 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, III. 60606

Phone: 353-1880 (Area Code 312)

Region VI

1100 Commerce St., Rm. 6B7

Dallas, Tex. 75202

Phone: 749-3516 (Area Code 214)

Region VII and VIII

Federal Office Building

911 Walnut St., 10th Floor

Kansas City, Mo. 64106

Phone: 374-2481 (Area Code 816)

Region IX and X

450 Golden Gate Ave.

Box 36017

San Francisco, Calif. 94102

Phone: 556-4678 (Area Code 415)

Regions VII and VIII will be serviced by Kansas City.

Regions IX and X will be serviced by San Francisco.

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