Construction prices increased by 3.8% in the third quarter year on year

The construction price index expresses the change in construction expenditures taking into consideration the price changes of three basic inputs: labour force, building machines, and building materials. The calculation of the construction price index covers four groups of buildings: detached houses, blocks of flats, industrial buildings, and office buildings. The repair and reconstruction work price index covers office buildings.

Ülo Paulus, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that the 4.4% increase in material prices, which was due to imported raw materials, was the biggest contributor to the rise in the construction price index in the third quarter year on year. “The increase in material prices mostly stabilised at the end of the quarter. There was some impact still on cellular plastic prices,” noted Paulus.

Compared with the third quarter of 2025, the costs of using building machines were up by 2.7% and payroll expenses grew by 2.5%.

Compared with the previous quarter, the rise in construction prices slowed down a little

Compared with the second quarter, the prices of building materials increased by 0.9%, mainly due to the slight rise in the prices of concrete and concrete products. “The costs of using building machines rose a little – by 0.3% – but the rise was not as fast as before. The main reasons could be the revision of prices due to competition between rental companies, and seasonally lower fuel costs,” explained Paulus. “Due to pressure from inflation and the personnel policies of smaller enterprises, the cost of labour force increased by 1.1% compared with the previous quarter,” he added.

The repair and reconstruction work price index for the third quarter rose by 0.3% compared with the second quarter and by 3.2% compared with the third quarter of 2025.

The construction price index expresses the change in the cost of construction in Estonia taking into consideration the price changes of basic inputs (materials, machinery and labour force). The index shows the change in construction prices in specific periods as well as the long-term trend. Construction price statistics are used by government agencies, trade associations, local governments, construction enterprises, insurance experts and court witnesses and also by Eurostat.

Data as at 21 October 2026 are published. The indicator values may change if there are any revisions made in the data sources after this date.

See also the dedicated section on prices. More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.

When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.

For further information:

Annaliisa Köss
Media Relations Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 5696 6484
press [at] stat.ee

Photo: Shutterstock