Labor Shortage Causing Industry-Wide Construction Delays

Stressed worker

 

Homebuilders this year have booked their strongest sales since the recession. While this is a positive sign for the overall economy, the increased demand brings delays as the industry struggles to find enough construction workers to deliver projects on time.

According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. residential construction spending in August 2015 climbed above $36 billion, the highest monthly total since October 2007. Yet there were 676,500 fewer workers in residential construction nationwide to handle the work this time around. While the growth indicates a continued positive upswing in the economy, it leaves many homebuilders striving to meet the rising demand and complete homes on an efficient timeline.

In September, 74 homebuilders were surveyed by industry tracker John Burns Real Estate Consulting Inc. All 74 reported slowdowns as long as two months as they waited for carpenters, drywall workers, foundation pourers and other specialists. According to a survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, more than 80 percent of construction companies are experiencing delays as they search for qualified workers.

Unfortunately, The Jones Company is no stranger to these delays, and we are experiencing the same issues as most in this industry. As a company, we are dedicated to providing the most positive experience possible for our clients. From helping you decide the right floor plan to hand selecting the ideal home features, we want you to feel like you have a partner and a friend to walk you through the process. The most important part of your journey as a homeowner is the actual build out. The building of your dream home turns what was once a figment of your imagination into a very tangible reality.

As the industry continues to experience delays during this time, we want our clients to know we value this stage as much as they do and will continue to work diligently with qualified builders and community leaders to lessen the inconvenience. It is of great importance that we work as quickly as possible without cutting any corners and risking the integrity of your future home. We pride ourselves on delivering a quality product and communicating with our homeowners every step of the way. We understand that as we press through these industry-wide delays accessibility is vital to our clients, and we are available to answer questions, address concerns and walk through timelines with you to ensure you are informed about how these delays affect your own home building process.

For further information or reference on this industry wide issue please visit:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/labor-shortage-pinches-home-builders-1444688976

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/washingtonbureau/2015/09/construction-worker-shortage-raising-costs-of-new.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-17/labor-shortage-sparks-production-delays-for-u-s-homebuilders

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2015/08/26/construction-worker-shortage/32430517/