NAHB members report big labor issues

While home builders are battling high material costs, supply chain issues, and a lack of available lots, they are also being challenged by a rising labor shortage, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Additional data collected from the October survey for the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Market Index revealed that more than 55% of single-family home builders are facing a shortage of labor. This includes 16 building trades listed in the survey.

About 86% of home builders said they are having trouble finding framing crew personnel and rough carpenters while 85% responded that finding finish carpenters is a problem. 

Additionally, 77% reported issues finding plumbers and masons.

The third quarter 2021 NAHB/Royal Building Products Remodeling Market Index (RMI) found even bigger labor issues with 89% of respondents saying framing crews are an issue, 94% having problems finding finish carpenters, and 93% experiencing a shortage of rough carpenters.

Subcontractors are even more widespread, the NAHB said. 

At least 90% of single-family builders reported a shortage of subcontractors in each of the three categories of carpenters, and 80% to 85% reported a shortage of subcontractors in six other trades. 

When it comes to remodelers, 90% reported a shortage of subcontractors among carpenters, as well as concrete workers, and more than 80% of remodelers reported a shortage of subcontractors in 11 of the 16 trades.