In addition, retailers continue to experience a lack of entry-level and sales workers, and manufacturers are still facing difficulties finding skilled laborers such as welders and machinists. Builders report that nearly all kinds of construction workers are in short supply, including carpenters, framers, and electricians, yet wage pressures in this sector do not appear to be any greater than in previous surveys. Retail prices edged up last month but are expected to remain stable in the near future. Prices for most manufacturing materials continued to decline and are likely to drop further. Prices of some construction materials, such as insulation and gypsum, were up slightly, while the cost of wood edged down last month.
Builders expect only marginal increases in prices over the next three months.
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