The High Price of Building this Year
Article published in Northampton Living
(August 2021)
The high costs facing everyone right now when seeking home repair and renovations is not limited to the carpentry business alone. Every trade this year seems to be hampered by a shortage or inflated price in one form or another. There is wire and conduit shortages for electrical work, pipe and fitting shortages for plumbing, equipment shortages for heating and air conditioning and, of course, record high prices for lumber across the board. When this is added to exceptionally high demand, it may seem impossible to find a contractor who can fit you in for your home improvement project.
On a national level, the prices are beginning to drop but the trickle-down effect will not hit the end user for a couple of weeks yet. These lower prices are not going to make the availability of the contractor any better. Here are a few things you can do to get your project on the scheduler of a home improvement professional.
1. Order products through a local supplier who will have a contractor that they use specifically for the installation of their products. Kitchen designers and tile companies usually have people who will install their products at a level of quality that they expect. Ask these contractors or vendors who they would recommend. Ask if they would be willing to put in a call of reference to get your project on their schedule.
2. If your project involves electrical or plumbing work and you can get them to start on your project ask them who they would recommend and perhaps if they would make a call to a contractor, they know that might be able to help you out.
3. Ask your social media friends for recommendations. Most contractors who do good work and are regularly busy do not spend lots of time advertising. The word of mouth from someone who has used the same contractor many times and can put in a good word for you goes a long way.
I personally wish I could fit every project into my schedule that comes across the desk, but the reality is that, in this market, screening customers keeps us focused on clients that will become lasting customers in the future. When we get referrals from our trusted colleagues, we make it a priority to keep the professional relations we have established by looking into the suggested customer. If you are happy with the quality of the work you receive from one contractor for work they have done in your home, it is safe to assume that their recommendations will come with a similar level of quality and workmanship. The final piece I would offer as advice is to be patient and wait for the high demand to subside.
If your project can wait for things to sway back towards the normal it is wise to do so. If your project is critical and must happen as soon as possible then give me a call and I will try to guide you in the best direction I can. If I can get it on the schedule, I will do so or if I can point you in the direction of another contractor, I think might help I will do what I can.
It’s All In The Details…