This is one of the reasons why more people need to go to Trade School instead of spending a fortune on college... just to end up unemployed.  

There has be a shortage of "quality" trades people for a very long time.

Fortunately, I've found a few good ones and when I am missing one I ask my connections and can usually fill in the blank.

Networking is your friend for repair people!

As long as people insist on having licensed contractors do handiman work there will always be a shortage, since the Good licenced contractors generally refuse to do this kind of small project work.

Yes I have noticed it and furthermore, I have been turned down for work because they are too busy or the job is too small. What people forget is that work is sometimes seasonal & runs in cycles. I don't forget however

Not really. We've used most of them for years and they seem to get us to the top of their list fast  becasue we give them a lot of business.  I think it also depends on how HOT the market is in each area for the country.

That's probably because it's the busiest time of the year and anyone good is pretty much booked.  It's been insanely busy for us.

Also, the other factor is that many homeowners started their projects later this year and this may have been partially due to later housing market/closings (in our area things seem to be delayed and then closings delayed more due to more delays from banks than last year).

The problem in Oklahoma City is that REALTORS® love to talk and they share their general contractors often on Facebook. I guard my zealously.

Perhaps they are all becoming real estate agents?

I think good tradesmen are hard to find everywhere. It makes me crazy that no one returns calls from plumbers to electricians. Don't even get me started on painters!

You need to develop relationships with reliable contractors.

we don't seem to have a shortage.... there are many new tradesman getting off the blocks.... builders are building and they're making the tradesmen sharpen their pencils.... there is competition there!!!

We have plenty of tradesmen in our area . . .  the key to getting a reliable trades person is using them on a regular basis and make sure they are paid after they finish their service. . .  immediately. Also usually the trades person can you refer to another trades person, and if you have a good reputation on quick payment the other trades persons will accomodate you, knowing when they do a good job they will get paid right a way.

I haven't had to delay a closing in order to have time to get the repairs done.

In Arizona, it's a problem. It's a problem because we have the construction industry in full gear building more homes in the last 6 months than we have seen in the last 10 years. Builders are competing for skilled construction workers of which we are short. The time to build to market is longer than expected.

However, this does not affect independent contractors and handyman, because they are not in the 'construction' industry, but rather in the renovations' business which is alive and well in my county.

I have to keep finding new people, because once I start giving them business, then referring them, they don't want to take care of me anymore.  I need to stop referring them out.  

When my son's duplex needed some extensive repairs I had a terrible time finding someone who could do it now - not this winter. 

After a few years of famine, the construction market is in "feast" mode and the crews are working hard, trying to juggle jobs to keep everything going. 

Yes, at least for the good ones with wonderful reputations.  So Valorie and I have decided to form a team with them.  We're going to market their services, in exchange for receiving their services on a priority basis.  I've spent a lot of time recently researching and learning California's laws for General Contractors and Handymen, and  working on the website and matching marketing materials.  I hope to launch the first website in two weeks - www.MissionViejoHandyman.com.  And if the Handyman learns the homeowner is requesting their services to prepare the home for sale, prior to talking with Real Estate Agents, the Handyman receives a bonus if Valorie gets the listing.  Mission Viejo is a whole city though ... the following website will be hyperlocal, just Turtle Rock, using www.TurtleRockHandyman.com.  I've got lots of good marketing ideas that compliment this strategy.

I'm not having trouble finding them . . . I am having trouble with their quotes.  OFF THE CHAIN!!  I want to rip out my back deck, which is wood.  I want a brick patio.  $1,800.  Sounds reasonable, right?  Well, that was just to rip out the deck boards, and NOT hauling them off site.  The deck is about 10 x 30. 

No.  Plenty of tradesmen, the only real delays are appraisers and some inspectors.  In Cali, we do credits for repairs to be completed after COE.  Eliminates the extension of closing issue you have.

Available or not, they always seem to be lax in responding, even in slower times. Go figure!

Always and has been for a very long time.

There are plenty of trades people, it's finding quality and ethical that is in short supply

So far so good, but some areas are experiencing difficulty!

Yes we are.  I believe that Technical Colleges are not being pursued as much as they use to be for those who want to learn a trade versus going to a university.   Where are we going to be when we no longer have anyone who have learned these skills?

There are plenty of tradesmen around here, but not as many qualified and good tradesmen.

no, pretty much can get repairs made in a week here.

They are all so busy in the summer.

The Builders in our area are all busy and all the good tradesmen are busy working for them.  It's scary to think that you have to choose from the less skilled workers to fix your home?

There is a crew that will bend over backward for my clients, and so far no delays in getting stuff done.

I'm not seeing that in my area. 

My area has plenty

Hi Lynnea,

If you're having trouble finding tradesmen, you might want to try HomeAdvisor.com.  I found a very good plumber and electrician on the website.

Lynnea,

I have not heard of any issues here in town.  A

Yes, all local contractors are booked solid. Finding skilled trademan is a challenge.  Local new housing industry pays more $ and offer more steady work.

To some degree, but I also see that part of the problem is many people either can't, or don't want to spend money on home repairs.

There have been a few challenges with getting repairs done, or even evaluations from some vendors - the good ones are busy - but no closing delays

Fortunately I have a list of qualified tradesmen that I can refer to clients after the close.  I do advise any client to personally call and hire anyone they would have working on the home as I won't take liability for calling or hiring anyone to do anything on a home that belongs to someone else.  That way they can use the credit I've negotiated for them to hire the best person for the job to do the work the right way.

Unless the repairs were something critical such as but not limited to mold, non-working major systems, active leaks, etc. I would always recommend monetary credit for many reasons and never hold up the sale unless there's no other way.

Yes, I do see the lack of new qualified trades-persons coming into the business.  

I think it depends on where you live and work.

Lynnea Miller Not so much a shortage as homes are aging and contractors are busy.  They come for estimates but don't get back to you, or I have personally experienced ridiculous estimates because they don't really want the job.   They're busy enough.

We have a shortage of everyone here in Kelowna. But it has never delayed a closing we work around it. I have been waiting for a few months for a tradesmen to come look at my own place. I have also been waiting for 5 months a landscaper to look at one of my rental properties. He said he would be there in Sept.

I haven't experinced this problem.  I have a list of contractors that I contact everytime I need repairs done to a house. You past clients are also excellent sourse to look for a contractor.  I suggest you create a list of contractors, send them thank you cards everytime they do a job for your client and a gift certificate once a year.  I send mine at Christmans, but you can do fourth of July, veterans day, labor day or any other convenient to you. 

Yes yes and yes.  It is absurd.  Most will not even do you the courtesy of a call back to say they are not accepting work.  Extensions are being seen particularly on VA and FHA mandated repairs where the appraisers have to come back for the 2nd look (on THEIR schedules).  The lenders seem to have ZERO sway over the appraisers anymore because of the RE implosion of 2008 and beyond and the government mandated "fixes" for that of arms's length eveything.  Ok, I am going to walk the dogs now and make myself a great day!

While I haven't had a closing delayed due to a shortage of capable tradesmen, I have noticed in my personal life that it's difficult to find a craftsmen in a pinch. It's a shame that society looks down on someone with some dirt under their nails and a blue collar. Well, until something  needs to be built, breaks, leaks, sparks or simply won't start etc.

Most people encourage their kids to go to college and choose a "clean" career where they can wear suits and use their smarts to earn tons of money.

No but I have had to scramble some times

In general, definitely yes, but, fortunately, we have been loyal to a number of folks over the years who always seem to manage to squeeze our clients in, be it weekends or nights.   We TRY our best to get sellers to understand some repairs need to be done before going on the market for this very reason;  we cannot afford to wait until we are under contract to get some things done.  So far, no delayed settlements over repairs and hoping it continues that way. 

"Available" is the key work here.  I refer a lot of work and I am having difficulty getting an electrician to find the time to do a job at my personal residence.  So YES, that is the case here in Ocean County NJ.  

I have a list of my go to people and have not had a problem.

This is my point exactly in the featured question above yours?   As a seller's agent we need to walk side by side, and make sure journeyman licenesed contractors, rather than general contractors do the jobe no matter how big, not matter how small... YOu still need to complete it, as if, closing depended upon it...because often it does.

Quality and reliable tradesmen are difficult to find.    I agree with Carol Williams.  Our school system, and our society, puts such a big demand on college education, that many other skilled positions are being neglected.  It's unfortunate, as these are professions that are a necessity in our society.

The challenge here in SWFL is to find a contractor, including a handman,  who can do good work in several areas. Also, since demand exceeds supply, completion dates tend to slip.

yes, yes and yes. there is a real shortage of reputable hardwood men, plumbers and electricians here in my area.

No I have a trusted team of vendors that I can get scheduled to fit the option periods/closings I have.  I have used most of them for years and totally trust them. That being said, I have never tried to short change these people.  I don't argue about their prices.  I trust them with keys to my house when something is wrong here. And I know if there is every a problem with one of their repairs, they will make it right.  I can make one call and things are set up and done.  I hate it when clients won't use them and end up paying 3 times the cost and have to wait to get the repairs made. 

     Not a problem here... at least for now.

Not at all. I have a large database of vendors if my client ask for my recommendations. 

I am very fortunate that I have access to several vendors plus two general contractors to make things happen quickly.

Not as many blue collar people out there anymore.

Not especially... I have my "personal" list of people I like to refer and because I am a good source of ongoing referrals, they do everything they can to put me to the top of their list to respond when one of my clients needs something.

A good tradesmen is often difficult to find --- having the right resources is a good -- very good -- thing.  

It is not different than normal.

Lynnea Miller - it's the season for them - and they are busy. So it seems we will have to settle for whatever we have.

Yes and about a week longer than normal.  I am in the middle of one right now that we had to extend 2 weeks because of a window order being delayed.  It happens and can be very frustrating!

Yes, all the great tradesmen work for builders. It's the others that are available...

In new new home building the subcontractors are very busy and overworked and stressed. I can usually get a contractor in a week or two's time for my personal stuff.

Interesting comments because no one is talking about the work men's comp that wipes out our tradesmen. If they get successful, they get a claim from their worker and their WC rates go thru the roof, literally. I have fixed many a contractor's back physically to hear the stories. If we want reasonable trades, we need to support lowering their skyrocketing WC rates. Some contractors have to reopen their companies only to get new quotes on rates. I have such sympathy for them because the contractors longevity and success can be helpful to all of us. 

No

no