Construction materials go up 20%

SD. Hardware dealers and builders are raising the roof over the increases in price of construction materials, which have experienced serious increases of 10% to 20% in the last few days, they say.

The increases have been most felt in rebar, the main steel derivative, which shot up 30% on the international markets.

According to a trip around the different hardware stores, the owners spoke of increases in rebar of up to RD$5000 per bundle, which went from RD$37,000 to RD$42,000. (A bundle is generally 24 quintals of rebar). By quintal, the prices went from RD$1,600 to RD$2,050. The prices of sand also increased from RD$600 to RD$700 per m3, and crushed rock also went up in proportion and gravel went from RD$750 to RD$859 m3. Zinc roofing increased from RD$190 to RD$290 a sheet and nails went up from RD$20 to RD$24 a pound, according to one hardware store.

Domingo Diaz, the president of the Hardware Store Association, complained that the increased have produced reductions in sales in the sector of about 35%. He asked that the manufacturers of the products that "please, let us live this year". He alerted the population that at the present time there is talk of a possible increase in the price of cement, which he says is simply not justified.

These rumors and the very real price increases have lowered sales between 30% and 35% from the beginning of the year, and that means that if sales fall in this proportion, it means a lot of money, and that if the trend continues, it will paralyze constructions and hurt our businesses".

While Diaz complains about the manufacturers, the consumers are making their complaints directly to the hardware dealers. "They are abusing us because they charge you a lot and don"t even give you the amount you buy", commented a man called Roberto and he got some sand from a Hardware Store in Los Rios.

Mary Luz Caceres, from the Quisqueya Hardware Store, for her part, complained of the low sales and argued for more price controls by the authorities, who she said "are very careful to collect the taxes".

Another hardware store owner that did not want to reveal his identity, complained of the monopoly that exists in paint, which he says are sold in dollars or the equivalent, and are constantly going up according to the exchange rate. Edward Liriano, from the Liriano Hardware Store in Villa Mella, showed reporters the consequences of the increase in prices, pointing out to the empty store.

Source: Diario Libre