A remodeling labor shortage continues to impact housing projects by increasing prices and delaying timetables, a new survey from the National Association of Home Builders shows. Remodeling jobs that involve carpenters, framing crews, bricklayers, and electricians are seeing some of the largest shortages.
“The labor shortage continues to be one of the top concerns for remodelers across the country,” says Tim Ellis, the NAHB’s Remodelers chair. “An ongoing challenge for remodeling is keeping their prices competitive while dealing with the increasing costs of labor.”
Remodelers said that the labor shortages are having a widespread impact on their business. Seventy percent to half of the remodelers surveyed by the NAHB reported that the top effects of the labor shortage have been higher wages and subcontractor bids; higher prices for customers; difficulty completing projects on time; and they’ve even had to turn down some projects because of it.
According to the NAHB’s survey, remodelers reported “serious shortages” or “some shortages” of labor for the following jobs:
- 84% carpenters – finished
- 85% carpenters – rough
- 81% framing crews
- 71% bricklayers/masons
- 58% electricians