Most price drivers are rising. Not all of them.
We break every service down into its price drivers, with the change and the source. For each category, this tells you whether to resist a price increase or to renegotiate the price.
- Fuels, producer prices: +48.6%
- Diesel price: +38.7%
- Copper and semi-finished copper products, producer prices: +31.4%
- Letter postage, standard letter: +21.1%
- Chemical products, wholesale selling prices: +16.4%
- Natural gas, producer prices: +15.0%
- Metals, producer prices: +14.0%
- Agreed wage in commercial cleaning, wage group 1: +1.8 to +13.3%
- Computers and peripheral equipment, wholesale selling prices: +12.1%
- Basic chemicals, producer prices: +11.3%
- Electricity, producer prices: +8.2%
- Construction prices, electrical installations in new buildings: +7.2%
- Wood and products of wood and cork, producer prices: +7.1%
- Construction prices, maintenance of residential buildings: +6.0%
- Construction prices, heating installations in new buildings: +5.2%
- Statutory minimum wage: +5.0%
- DPD emergency fuel surcharge: +4.08%
- Agreed wage in security guarding, Berlin and Brandenburg, pay group 2: +3.9%
- Agreed wage in security guarding, Berlin and Brandenburg, pay group 1: +3.6%
- Clothing, producer prices: +3.1%
- Agreed wage in the electrical trade, Berlin-Brandenburg: +3.06%
- Agreed wage in the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning trade, North Rhine-Westphalia: +2.55%
- Textile services collective agreement: +2.5%
- Textiles, producer prices: +2.2%
- Paper and paper products, producer prices: +1.6%
- CO2 price under the Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (Fuel Emissions Trading Act): 0%
- Minimum wage under the collective labour agreement (GAV) for routine cleaning, German-speaking Switzerland: 0%
A clear recommendation for every category
Twelve cost groups, 31 categories, every figure with a source. Select your industry, and the cost groups that matter most to you move to the top.
rising +2% or higher
stable under ±2%
falling −2% or lower
no figure no reliable public figure
Construction, technical services and fit-out
Maintenance and repairs, shopfitting and furnishings, construction and refurbishment17 rising, 2 with no figure3 × defendMaintenance and repairs
DefendResist the increaseThe 2027 pay steps are 2.55 to 3.06%. They justify an increase only in the wage component; materials should be linked to an index.
Electrical wages: Agreed wage in the electrical trade, Berlin-Brandenburg
Benchmark wage €20.10 from 1 January 2027, €20.70 from 2028 adopted
rising
+3.06%Source 1
Plumbing and HVAC wages: Agreed wage in the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning trade, North Rhine-Westphalia
from 1 March 2027 adopted
rising
+2.55%Source 2
Materials, metal: Metals, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+14.0%Source 3
Materials, copper: Copper and semi-finished copper products, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+31.4%Source 3
Travel to site: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
Refrigeration: Refrigerants (F-gases)
In 2027 the permitted quantities of HFCs will be halved; how much this will push up prices remains open adopted
no figure
no reliable public figureSource 6
Shopfitting and furnishings
DefendResist the increaseAll nine documented drivers are rising, but to different degrees. Ask for the price to be broken down by trade.
Wood: Wood and products of wood and cork, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+7.1%Source 3
Metal: Metals, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+14.0%Source 3
Copper, cables, lighting: Copper and semi-finished copper products, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+31.4%Source 3
Paints, adhesives, plastics: Basic chemicals, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+11.3%Source 3
Electrical installation: Construction prices, electrical installations in new buildings
August 2026 compared with August 2025 statistics
rising
+7.2%Source 7
Assembly: Agreed wage in the electrical trade, Berlin-Brandenburg
Benchmark wage €20.10 from 1 January 2027, €20.70 from 2028 adopted
rising
+3.06%Source 1
Unskilled labour: Statutory minimum wage
€14.60 per hour from 1 January 2027 instead of €13.90 adopted
rising
+5.0%Source 8
Energy in production: Electricity, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+8.2%Source 3
Transport: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
Planning and project management: Planning and project management
varies by project
no figure
no reliable public figure
Construction and refurbishment
DefendResist the increaseAll three documented drivers are rising. Accept increases only for the share of costs affected.
Maintenance: Construction prices, maintenance of residential buildings
August 2026 compared with August 2025 statistics
rising
+6.0%Source 7
Electrical installations: Construction prices, electrical installations in new buildings
August 2026 compared with August 2025 statistics
rising
+7.2%Source 7
Heating installations: Construction prices, heating installations in new buildings
August 2026 compared with August 2025 statistics
rising
+5.2%Source 7
Facilities and site services
Commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning in Switzerland, waste disposal, energy7 rising, 3 stable, 1 with no figure3 × defend1 × renegotiateCommercial cleaning
DefendResist the increaseThe 2027 pay agreement is still open. Agree to an increase only after the settlement, and only for the wage component.
Labour: Agreed wage in commercial cleaning, wage group 1
2027 still open: €15.27 from May (employers’ offer) to €17.00 (IG BAU’s demand), currently €15.00 pending
rising (pending)
+1.8 to +13.3%Source 9
Cleaning agents: Chemical products, wholesale selling prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+16.4%Source 10
Travel to site: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
Commercial cleaning, Switzerland
RenegotiateReduce the priceThe minimum wage under the collective labour agreement (GAV) stays the same in 2027. It does not justify an increase for 2027.
Labour: Minimum wage under the collective labour agreement (GAV) for routine cleaning, German-speaking Switzerland
2027: CHF 21.40, as in 2026; from 2028: CHF 21.95 adopted
stable
Waste disposal
DefendResist the increaseDiesel and the minimum wage are rising, the CO2 price is not. It does not justify a higher CO2 surcharge for 2027.
Collection: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
Labour: Statutory minimum wage
€14.60 per hour from 1 January 2027 instead of €13.90 adopted
rising
+5.0%Source 8
Incineration: CO2 price under the Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (Fuel Emissions Trading Act)
2027 corridor of €55 to €65 per tonne, as in 2026; the procedure in the Bundesrat is still pending passed by the Bundestag
stable
Recyclables: Payment for waste paper
Market reports are only available by subscription market data
no figure
no reliable public figureSource 13
Energy
DefendResist the increaseTwo of the three documented drivers are rising. Accept increases only for the share of costs affected.
Electricity: Electricity, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+8.2%Source 3
Natural gas: Natural gas, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+15.0%Source 3
CO2 price: CO2 price under the Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (Fuel Emissions Trading Act)
2027 corridor of €55 to €65 per tonne, as in 2026; the procedure in the Bundesrat is still pending passed by the Bundestag
stable
IT and telecommunications
Hardware, software, cloud and licences1 rising, 1 with no figure1 × defend1 × renegotiateHardware
DefendResist the increaseThe documented driver is rising (+12.1%). Accept an increase only for its share of costs.
Devices and peripherals: Computers and peripheral equipment, wholesale selling prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+12.1%Source 10
Software, cloud and licences
RenegotiateReduce the priceWithout a reliable public figure, there is no documented cost pressure. Check which licences you pay for but do not use.
Prices and licences: Prices for software, cloud and licences
varies by provider and contract
no figure
no reliable public figure
Logistics, warehousing and freight
Courier, express and parcel, transport and freight, warehousing and fulfilment7 rising, 1 stable, 1 with no figure3 × defendCourier, express and parcel
DefendResist the increaseSurcharges are rising, and the DHL adjustment comes without a figure. Ask for a breakdown into personnel, energy and infrastructure.
Fuel surcharge: DPD emergency fuel surcharge
November 2026: 4.08% on the parcel price and surcharges, reset every month since May 2026 in force
rising
+4.08%Source 14
Parcel prices 2027: DHL Paket for business customers
Price adjustment on 1 January 2027; each customer is told the amount individually announced
no figure
no reliable public figureSource 15
Letter postage: Letter postage, standard letter
€1.15 instead of €0.95 from 2027, subject to approval by the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) announced
rising
+21.1%Source 15
Delivery: Statutory minimum wage
€14.60 per hour from 1 January 2027 instead of €13.90 adopted
rising
+5.0%Source 8
Fuel: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
Transport and freight
DefendResist the increaseDiesel is rising, the CO2 price is not. Diesel surcharges need a formula that also brings them down again.
Fuel: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
CO2 price: CO2 price under the Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (Fuel Emissions Trading Act)
2027 corridor of €55 to €65 per tonne, as in 2026; the procedure in the Bundesrat is still pending passed by the Bundestag
stable
Warehousing and fulfilment
DefendResist the increaseBoth documented drivers are rising. Accept increases only for the share of costs affected.
Marketing service providers
Print and promotional materials, letter post and mailings, agencies and CRM2 rising, 1 stable, 2 with no figure1 × defend2 × renegotiatePrint and promotional materials
RenegotiateReduce the pricePaper is barely rising, electricity significantly. Ask for increases to be broken down into paper and energy.
Letter post and mailings
DefendResist the increasePostage rises significantly in 2027. Check which mailings fall into a different postage class.
Postage: Letter postage, standard letter
€1.15 instead of €0.95 from 2027, subject to approval by the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) announced
rising
+21.1%Source 15
Agencies and CRM
RenegotiateReduce the priceWithout a reliable public figure, there is no documented cost pressure. Check which services you pay for but do not use.
Agency fees: Fees charged by agencies
varies by service and contract
no figure
no reliable public figure
CRM and marketing software: Prices for software, cloud and licences
varies by provider and contract
no figure
no reliable public figure
Packaging and consumables
Cardboard packaging, paper, labels, films and plastic packaging, pallets and wooden packaging4 rising, 1 stable2 × defend1 × renegotiateCardboard packaging, paper, labels
RenegotiateReduce the pricePaper and board are barely rising. An increase must show materials and freight separately.
Films and plastic packaging
DefendResist the increaseBoth documented drivers are rising. Accept increases only for the share of costs affected.
Pallets and wooden packaging
DefendResist the increaseThe documented driver is rising (+7.1%). Accept an increase only for its share of costs.
Wood: Wood and products of wood and cork, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+7.1%Source 3
Workwear and occupational safety
Rental workwear, purchased workwear and PPE7 rising2 × defendRental workwear
DefendResist the increaseWages and energy are rising at very different rates. Check the wage and energy components separately.
Labour: Textile services collective agreement
+2.5% (at least €70) since 1 September 2026, terminable with effect from 28 February 2027 at the earliest in force
rising
+2.5%Source 16
Energy, natural gas: Natural gas, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+15.0%Source 3
Energy, electricity: Electricity, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+8.2%Source 3
Laundry chemicals: Basic chemicals, producer prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+11.3%Source 3
Textiles: Textiles, producer prices
May 2026 compared with May 2025 statistics
rising
+2.2%Source 17
Purchased workwear and PPE
DefendResist the increaseBoth documented drivers are rising. Accept increases only for the share of costs affected.
Fleet and mobility
Fuel and fuel cards, leasing and servicing1 rising, 1 stable, 1 with no figure1 × defend1 × renegotiateFuel and fuel cards
DefendResist the increaseDiesel is more expensive, and the full energy tax returns in 2027. Check statements against the agreed reference price.
Diesel: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
CO2 price: CO2 price under the Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (Fuel Emissions Trading Act)
2027 corridor of €55 to €65 per tonne, as in 2026; the procedure in the Bundesrat is still pending passed by the Bundestag
stable
Leasing and servicing
RenegotiateReduce the priceWithout a reliable public figure, there is no documented cost pressure. Compare residual values for the same term and mileage.
Residual values and rates: Residual values and lease rates
varies by vehicle, term and mileage
no figure
no reliable public figure
Staffing services
Temporary staffing, recruitment and training1 rising, 1 with no figure1 × defend1 × renegotiateTemporary staffing
DefendResist the increaseThe minimum wage is rising by 5.0%. It justifies an increase only where wages are at the minimum level.
Wage floor: Statutory minimum wage
€14.60 per hour from 1 January 2027 instead of €13.90 adopted
rising
+5.0%Source 8
Recruitment and training
RenegotiateReduce the priceWithout a reliable public figure, there is no documented cost pressure. Ask for evidence for every increase.
Fees: Fees for recruitment and training
varies by assignment
no figure
no reliable public figure
Insurance and professional services
Insurance, consulting and administration2 with no figure2 × renegotiateInsurance
RenegotiateReduce the priceWithout a reliable public figure, there is no documented cost pressure. Ask for evidence for every increase.
Premiums: Premiums for business insurance
varies by risk and claims history
no figure
no reliable public figure
Consulting and administration
RenegotiateReduce the priceWithout a reliable public figure, there is no documented cost pressure. Ask for evidence for every increase.
Fees: Fees for consulting and administration
varies by assignment
no figure
no reliable public figure
Building security
Security services, alarm and fire protection systems5 rising, 1 with no figure2 × defendSecurity services
DefendResist the increaseIn Berlin and Brandenburg, agreed wages rise by 3.6 to 3.9% in 2027. They justify an increase only in the wage component.
Labour, group 1: Agreed wage in security guarding, Berlin and Brandenburg, pay group 1
€15.70 from 1 January 2027 instead of €15.15, generally binding adopted
rising
+3.6%Source 18
Labour, group 2: Agreed wage in security guarding, Berlin and Brandenburg, pay group 2
€16.15 from 1 January 2027, e.g. site security with a certificate of competence adopted
rising
+3.9%Source 18
Wage floor: Statutory minimum wage
€14.60 per hour from 1 January 2027 instead of €13.90 adopted
rising
+5.0%Source 8
Other federal states: Agreed wage in security guarding, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein
The collective agreements expire on 31 December 2026; wages for 2027 are still open pending
no figure
no reliable public figureSource 19
Alarm and fire protection systems
DefendResist the increaseBoth documented drivers are rising. Accept increases only for the share of costs affected.
Servicing: Agreed wage in the electrical trade, Berlin-Brandenburg
Benchmark wage €20.10 from 1 January 2027, €20.70 from 2028 adopted
rising
+3.06%Source 1
Travel to site: Diesel price
€2.235 per litre on average in Q3 2026, compared with an average of €1.611 in 2025 market data
If the temporary cut in energy tax ends on 31 December 2026 as planned, a further 14.04 cents per litre will be added.rising
Operating supplies and office
Paper and office supplies, hygiene and cleaning products, office furniture4 rising, 1 stable2 × defend1 × renegotiatePaper and office supplies
RenegotiateReduce the pricePaper is barely rising. A supplier that raises prices uniformly across the whole range is charging too much for paper.
Hygiene and cleaning products
DefendResist the increaseThe documented driver is rising (+16.4%). Accept an increase only for its share of costs.
Office supplies and consumables guideRecalculate the increase
Chemicals: Chemical products, wholesale selling prices
September 2026 compared with September 2025 statistics
rising
+16.4%Source 10
Office furniture
DefendResist the increaseBoth documented drivers are rising. Accept increases only for the share of costs affected.
Five of these drivers are listed with all their values in the Terms Index: minimum wage, commercial cleaning, security guarding, diesel and cleaning in Switzerland.
The recommendation follows fixed rules
So that you can check every recommendation yourself.
- Direction
- A driver is rising if its value increases by 2% or more, and falling at −2% or lower. In between, it is stable. Where a pay agreement is still open, the upper limit counts until the settlement is reached.
- Recommendation
- If most of the documented drivers in a category are rising, the recommendation is to defend: accept increases only for the share of costs affected. Otherwise, it is to renegotiate: reduce the price and cut services that are not used. In a tie, the first driver, which is the largest cost block, decides.
- Assessments
- Which drivers belong to a category, which of them is the largest cost block and how much a cost group matters in your industry are Konditionswerk assessments. All values are public and linked.
- No supplier prices
- We show wages, indices and raw material prices, not the prices of individual suppliers. This protects both you and us under competition law.
- Updates
- October 2026 edition, next update November 2026. We review every cost group monthly. All values as a JSON file
Sources
- IG Metall: Tarifergebnis Elektrohandwerk Berlin-Brandenburg (pay settlement for the electrical trade in Berlin-Brandenburg), 25 August 2026
- IG Metall: Tarifergebnis SHK-Handwerk Nordrhein-Westfalen (pay settlement for the plumbing, heating and air conditioning trade in North Rhine-Westphalia), 13 February 2026
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis): producer prices in September 2026, press release of 20 October 2026
- ADAC: Kraftstoffpreisentwicklung (fuel price trends)
- EY: Tankrabatt 2.0 (fuel tax cut), May to June 2026
- Umweltbundesamt (German Environment Agency): EU Regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases, updated 5 October 2026
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis): construction prices in August 2026, press release of 9 October 2026
- Fünfte Mindestlohnanpassungsverordnung (Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance)
- IG BAU on the second pay round, 22 October 2026
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis): wholesale selling prices in September 2026, press release of 14 October 2026
- Collective labour agreement (GAV) for the cleaning industry, 2026 to 2029
- German Bundestag: hearing and decision on the Third Act amending the Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (Fuel Emissions Trading Act), 15 October 2026
- EUWID: Altpapier Deutschland (waste paper, Germany), market reports (subscription required)
- DPD Deutschland: Emergency Fuel Surcharge, accessed 23 October 2026
- Deutsche Post: letter postage and products from 1 January 2027, press release of 20 October 2026
- IG Metall and intex: Tarifsammlung Textile Dienste 2025 bis 2027 (textile services collective agreements, 2025 to 2027), as of 1 December 2025
- Gesamtverband textil+mode: Konjunkturbericht Juli 2026 (economic report), with data from the Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis)
- Entgelttarifvertrag Sicherheitsdienstleistungen Berlin und Brandenburg (pay agreement for security services in Berlin and Brandenburg), declared generally binding on 26 May 2026 with effect from 1 January 2026
- BDSW (German security industry association): Entgeltübersicht Sicherheitsdienste (pay overview for security services), as of 1 March 2026
Is your supplier asking for more? We check the figures.
In the free pilot review, we put your contracts side by side with the drivers: documented findings in euros, supplier by supplier.
Prefer to talk directly?
Sebastian Dahm
Co-CEO, Product, Sales and Market Data
Rinascai GmbH, Zurich. Reply within one business day.