"Anytime you have more competition, it drives prices down," Coburn said. "You can't do but so much with the cost of materials, but firms have cut their margins or found a better mousetrap, and that reflects in pricing." That could mean using new technology that would make their bids cheaper or saving on payments to subcontractors, he said.
Coburn said the falling cost of petroleum, which not only fuels large construction vehicles but is also a key ingredient in asphalt, has helped lower prices. Less competition from China and India for concrete and other materials has helped, too."