Fourteen percent of general contractors, remodelers and design-build firms reported a moderate to severe flooring laborer shortage in the third quarter of 2016, compared with 11 percent in the same period of 2015 and 13 percent in the first quarter of 2016, according to the Q3 2016 Houzz Renovation Barometer.
The lack of flooring labor was most pronounced in the West, where 18 percent of GCs, remodelers and design-build firms reported shortages, compared with the Midwest, 16 percent; Northeast, 11 percent; and South, 9 percent.
The scarcest skilled trade nationwide in third quarter of 2016 was finish carpenter, with 42 percent of GCs, remodelers and design-build firms reporting shortages. However, the amount is a decrease from the first quarter of 2016 and third quarter of 2015, which both equaled 45 percent.
As a result, worker cost has increased, while worker reliability and skill level has decreased, according Houzz, with the impact more noticeable with subcontractors versus employees.
