Carpenters are in short supply
Rough carpentry subcontractors lead the pack among positions in short supply, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
Based on responses from July 2018 NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), 90% of single-family builders reported a shortage of subcontractors able to handle rough carpentry work.
The NAHB said this is the first time that any type of labor or subcontractor category has reached the 90% mark in regard to a shortage. Labor data has been collected by the NAHB since the early 1990s.
Among the labor categories surveyed by the HMI, 89% of builders reported a shortage of framing crew subcontractors with 84% reporting a lack of finish carpenters subs.
One explanation provided by the NAHB is that the severe shortage of subcontractors is being caused by workers who were laid off and started their own business during the housing downturn have returned to work for larger companies.
When measuring labor positions directly employed by builders, 83% said they experienced a shortage of rough carpenters, 81% reported framing crew shortages, and 78% reported a lack of finish carpenters.
Overall, the NAHB said the shortage in the 9 labor occupations it measures – including electricians, painters, roofers, masons, plumbers, carpenters, and landscapers – has grown from 21% in 2012, to 56% in 2016, 63% in 2017, and now sits at 67% in 2018.
Based on responses from July 2018 NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), 90% of single-family builders reported a shortage of subcontractors able to handle rough carpentry work.
The NAHB said this is the first time that any type of labor or subcontractor category has reached the 90% mark in regard to a shortage. Labor data has been collected by the NAHB since the early 1990s.
Among the labor categories surveyed by the HMI, 89% of builders reported a shortage of framing crew subcontractors with 84% reporting a lack of finish carpenters subs.
One explanation provided by the NAHB is that the severe shortage of subcontractors is being caused by workers who were laid off and started their own business during the housing downturn have returned to work for larger companies.
When measuring labor positions directly employed by builders, 83% said they experienced a shortage of rough carpenters, 81% reported framing crew shortages, and 78% reported a lack of finish carpenters.
Overall, the NAHB said the shortage in the 9 labor occupations it measures – including electricians, painters, roofers, masons, plumbers, carpenters, and landscapers – has grown from 21% in 2012, to 56% in 2016, 63% in 2017, and now sits at 67% in 2018.