Hey Bob - we are definitely seeing it here, in my backyard in fact. We have a development going in on the open space behind our home and its amazing how many homes are being built in town at this time. We've been watching the progress and so far things are booking right along with the construction but I know a few other developments that are on hold due to labor issues. Great post!

-Dee

Bob, so it is a manufacturing shortage? or labor shortage? or both? I have been concerned about this as well for our new construction, as many of the capable people found other jobs or moved and are not coming back to our area.

Sharon

Bob, and Frank & Sharon:  Well of COURSE there's a labor shortage.  And guess who you can blame for that.  So many of the folks who are willing to do that really tough construction work... pouring slabs to hanging drywall to painting the interior and exterior... so many of them have been chased out of the state.

It's the same "labor shortage" that has been happening farmers, too... all through the south.  Farmer's crops rotting... just hanging there... because there's nobody to harvest them.  They have all been scared off... and, can you blame them.  The Republican governors and state legislatures asked for it... and now they're getting it put right to them.  They deserve it, too.

Luckily, some of the more moderate Republican governors have told their state legislators to "back off" with the crazy laws they've been passing... so the "illegals" (I hate that word... it's so demeaning) will come back to their states and do the work nobody else will.

Bob - As a builder just north of you in Tampa, we're definitely experiencing the same.  Not positive it's a national issue yet, but certainly a problem in Florida.  The construction labor force has left for other areas of the country or other industries.  I'd expect it to stabilize but don't expect any Extreme Home timeframes in the near future.

New construction is picking up nicely here in Kentucky too, as I've been telling everyone for a few months. But I don't see a labor shortage here, yet. It's nice that the laid-off new construction workers (including my husband) can go back to work. 

Thanks Bob, its been a while since we have had any labor shortages around here, maybe I should get all of my construction projects finished before the labor starts getting expensive here.

new construction is a good thing

It seems hard to imagine. I know several contractors that are just chomping at the bit, so hard hit by the downturn in new construction and remodeling. I can't imagine it is that they have left the state (as someone said ealier) where would they go? So many states are in the same boat. 

We have noticed a steady incline in work latley and it is largley contributed to new houses being built.  This is pretty exciting because if general contractors are bulding again then it opens up a steady line of work for sub contractors.  Lets hope this is a sign of a stronger economy and a Brighter future!!!

I've heard of the labor shortage here in certain areas of CA as well.  For once, I believe a shortage is a good, positive thing.  I'm glad to see FL is recovering.

The nature of markes right? To much and then not enough.

Melissa:  Most states are not in the "same boat" that I am speaking of.  I was kind of beating around the bush in my comment, but I might as well get specific. 

The exceedingly restrictive laws that some states passed to keep Mexican "illegals" out of their state... well, those same laws chased out a huge source of laborers from those same states.

Very, very hard working people.  Honest, dependable, family-oriented.  They had been the backbone of the construction industry's labor force for many, many states, and for many, many years.  Then... all of a sudden... the radicals in the state houses saw what Arizona did with their 1070 law... and passed laws that either met those restrictions... or even exceeded them.

That left many states with crops that rotted waiting to be harvested, foundations waiting to be built for new homes, roadways and other concrete work that went unstarted as the big construction machines sat idle.  That huge, cheap labor force panicked, and left those particular states.

Other states, ones that had the wisdom to NOT pass those kinds of excessive laws... benefited from the large labor pool that resulted.

Make hay while the sun shines?  How about "harvest the crops before they rot?"

In Texas... in most parts of the state... once permits are submitted and approved... most first and second home-buyer homes are typically built in 90 to 105 days... three to three-and-one-half months.  And built very well, I might add.  In this type of "stage building"... there is usually one type of "trade" or another in each home every day.  Sometimes including week-ends.

Bob:

I hope the people who are out of work are able to find a job in Florida.  I will have to check to see if construction in California is also having this problem.

What next? We finally have construction and real Estate inching back and then labor shortages? ACK!!!

I just closed on a new build in Flagstaff that was delayed weeks because of a similar issue. You'd think with so many people looking for work this wouldn't be such an issue

BOB & others:  Several times I included in my above comments on this post that a big part of the labor shortage was the absence of immigrant workers... who had been chased out of the states that were affected by the crazy anti-"illegal alien" laws they had passed.

Finally... just today I saw an post that confirms what I said.  Alabama Immigration Law Causes Labor Shortage, Forces Importation Of Immigrants.  I would love to hear your response to this.