The Construction Costs Index for the A.C. of the Basque Country remained stable (0.0%) in September 2003 in relation to the previous month, making the inter-annual rate 2.3%, according to EUSTAT data. The rate for the first nine months of the year, compared to last December, also increased by 2.3%.

In the inter-annual period (September 2003 in relation to September 2002) labour costs increased 5.8%, while costs of raw materials fell by 0.1%.

Total costs in the Building and Civil Works sub-sectors followed opposing courses: while in Building there was an increase of 0.1% with regard to the previous month, in Civil Works costs fell 0,2% in relation to August. The inter-annual evolution of these sub-sectors showed a slightly differing growth pattern: Building costs increased by 2.2%, while in Civil Works the increase was 2.6%.

As for raw material prices, among the most inflationary rates for September 2003 were: Asphalt products (5.4%), Metal piping (1.0%), Lime, gypsum and plaster (1.0%), Machinery accessories (0.6%), Oil and grease (0.5%) and Paint and varnish (0.3%). By contrast, average monthly prices fell for the following raw materials: Oil by-products (-4.7%), Cleaning and hygiene material (-2.1%), Explosives and gases (-0.8%) and Mining arids (-0.3%).