Anyone have a site that tracks building material prices over time?

I have estimates from the summer of 2008 when I was looking to start building a new home late summer/early fall. But, then my loan fell through because of the banking issues across the U.S. Looking to start the process again and I'm contacting the contractors I had been looking at then. But, some are saying "no change" so I want to be able to see if prices really haven't changed or if they are just trying to pocket some extra money.

Concrete (ICF walls)? Geothermal HVAC? Lumber/drywall for interior walls? Windows? Residential fire sprinklers?

I'm not looking for an exact number for the exact specs of this house - I understand that will take much more time - but just some generalities in the various categories so I can get an idea of what should have gone up, what should have gone down, and what should stay about the same.

Thanks.

The only way to get a reasonably accurate answer to your question will be to talk to local suppliers in your immediate area. Local issues can affect prices within a small geographic area, that would have no affect on pricing outside that area. Do your legwork locally.

Dido the above post. I gather you already did your take-offs, so repricing shouldn't be that hard. Some of the building supplies could even still have your previous bids on file.

Thanks for the feedback.

Definitely trying to get some local prices myself. But since I don't have anything that says "a window costs $x" two years ago, a price for $y today doesn't tell me if pricing went up or down. The contractors have their estimates to me, labor and materials included, but I cannot tell if they are pocketing most of the savings as extra profit or there really wasn't any change. Accurate I'll get with my revised quotes from them, just trying to ballpark things so I have some basis for comparison. Or evidence for when the bank's loan officer tells me I should be able to do better yet the subs say "pretty much the same price" as then.

As a general rule, lumber goes up & down depending on demand & whatever excuse they can find to raise prices. I don't think there has been a lot of change in the last two years. Windows on the other hand typically go up every year by some amount, recession or no. Concrete has climbed in the past year around here (northeast). Many of my subs have been charging relatively low rates since the last recession, plus competition has been tough so there isn't a lot of room to cut. Typically any "savings" or discounts in recessions come out of the contractor's profit; few national suppliers actually lower their prices in tough times; what they may do is not raise them or offer better terms. Of course any contractors who offer health insurance are paying more for that. I truly doubt anyone is "pocketing" a lot of money right now. Those that I know are thankful for the work & are doing their best to keep their prices competitive & their employees working.

Thanks for the feedback.

FYI, so far I've seen about a 1% decrease on my ICF walls and concrete slabs, and a 10% increase on my geothermal system. Still shopping around though.