How to structure this contract
- Split by equipment type. Conveyors, forklifts, overhead cranes, and racking each have their own cost driver.
- Index each type to its own series. Each equipment category maps to a distinct, real BLS series.
- Weight to the actual equipment mix. Adjust starting weights to the contract's real bill of materials.
- Flag proxy series explicitly. Name any series that is a general proxy, not equipment-specific.
Split by equipment type
A warehouse fit-out contract usually bundles several different kinds of equipment: conveyor systems, forklifts, overhead lifting equipment, and structural racking. Each has its own cost driver. Price each separately rather than blending them into one number.
| Equipment | Benchmark | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyor and conveying systems | PCU333922333922 | |
| Forklifts and industrial trucks | PCU333924333924 (Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Mfg) | |
| Overhead cranes and hoists | PCU333923333923 (Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Mfg) | Same series used for port cranes in the maritime guide, a general lifting-equipment index, not warehouse-specific |
| Structural steel and racking | PCU331110331110 | |
| Automation and control systems | PCU334511334511 (proxy) | Closest available proxy, not a dedicated warehouse-automation index |
A worked composite for a fit-out contract
| Component | Starting weight |
|---|---|
| Conveyor systems | 30% |
| Forklift fleet | 20% |
| Overhead cranes and hoists | 15% |
| Structural steel and racking | 25% |
| Automation and controls | 10% |
These are illustrative starting weights. Adjust to the contract's actual equipment mix before signing.
A worked example
A $3,000,000 warehouse fit-out, weighted per the table above, sees conveyor pricing rise 8% and steel rise 5% over the review period, with the rest flat. Conveyor systems contribute 30% × 8% = 2.4 percentage points, structural steel contributes 25% × 5% = 1.25 points, for a combined adjustment of about 3.65% of contract value, roughly $109,500. A single blended "warehouse equipment" index would not show which component actually drove that number.
The overhead crane index is a proxy, say so
PCU333923333923 covers overhead lifting equipment broadly, used across warehouses, factories, and shipyards. It is real and usable, but it is not built specifically for warehouse cranes. Naming that clearly in the contract, the same way the maritime guide does for port cranes, avoids a dispute later over whether the index actually matches the equipment bought.
Live index data
- US PPI: Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing: current value, year-over-year change, and a free calculator
- US PPI: Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing: current value, year-over-year change, and a free calculator
- US PPI: Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing: current value, year-over-year change, and a free calculator