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Worker Shortage Makes Patience Important

21 Mar 2022 12:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


Not a week goes by when I do not receive calls from contractors near and far looking for employees. 

Not a week goes by when I do not receive calls from homeowners, indicating they have executed a contract for a home project; however, they are seeking another contractor who can get them on “the schedule” sooner than later. 

Construction in Yavapai County is ranked as the fifth-largest industry and the third top growing industry. Our industry is not alone in seeking employees. Every business, from banks to newspapers, to radio stations, health care, police and fire, cities and towns, grocery stores — and the list goes on — is in desperate need of good, hard-working employees. 

The industry that I love most is struggling. Construction is short of labor, so consequently projects are scheduled three, four, five and even six months out. 

I am writing our column this week to the homeowner. Please understand that the labor shortage has affected our residential and commercial construction and probably will for some time. Just ask any of our construction companies from plumbers to drywall installers to electricians to landscapers to tile and flooring; they all say they cannot find the manpower to handle the surge of homes, remodeling projects landscaping installations, weed removal, paver installations, deck repairs, painting, window replacements, etc. 

Believe me, Yavapai County is not special. This is a problem felt across the U.S. More and more of our industry partners are seeing more delays as they wait for crews to get to jobs. We do not have enough workers to get the job done. 

I have mentioned in previous articles that the current labor shortage is likely to worsen because many of our current skilled workers in the trades are in their 50s and they are getting ready to retire and go fishing. Arizona is seeing declines of 20 percent or more in the workforce, according to data from the Associated General Contractors of America. This shortage raises builders’ costs and slows down construction, which is difficult for homeowners to understand, and according to a local fence manufacturer and a landscaper, “It’s getting to the point where you’re really limited in what you can deliver.” 

With fewer workers, contractors are becoming wary of signing new work contracts, especially with the workforce issues creating an uncertainly with completion dates and/or a start date, both of which are moving targets. 

With the promise of new construction jobs continuing to grow, homeowners please understand that with the labor shortage it is tough for our local contractors to keep up with all the demands on them. So if I can say one thing, please be patient. I’m afraid it’s going to get worse before it gets better. 

Our local jurisdictions are on track to record a high number of permits due to the accelerated permit activity, and of course delays are occurring in issuing permits and homeowners and builders are experiencing delays in starting projects. 

As you can see, construction delays are plaguing everyone in the industry section. So again, please be patient. 

Because construction practically came to a halt during and after the height of the downturn, the lack of qualified workers wasn’t noticeable at first. But now that we’re back to building at top capacity, project delays are a serious issue in construction business. Not only do they directly impact current work from the construction companies, but they indirectly affect future projects as everything gets pushed. Material suppliers are overbooked and can’t manufacture and deliver product fast enough. Our contractors are scrambling to catch up without sacrificing quality. Please be patient. 

It is important to understand the construction workforce issues and understand that our industry is working as hard as it can to take care of your project and to deliver a good quality project. 

Contractors would love to swoop in and save the day; however, they can’t. They simply don’t have the manpower. 

Construction workers have become an increasingly rare and precious commodity. The shortage of workers is dramatically slowing down projects, so again I repeat, homeowners please be patient. 

I want to close by saying being patient is often easier said than done. Getting through the day can be hard enough knowing you are desperately waiting for that landscaping project which now has been delayed “again” and then it is finally scheduled and then the contractors workers do not show up or called in sick, or the material delivery did not arrive. So guess what — you receive a call saying “I am sorry we cannot start your job today.” Believe me, these contractors do not want to call you and tell you your project is delayed. Being patient is hard, but remember being patient makes people feel good and paves the way for good relationships. 


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