It’s no secret that construction is facing a significant labor shortage. Sure, the uncertainty in the industry brought on by COVID-19 didn’t help, but labor shortages are nothing new.

Steep inflation has exacerbated what was already a volatile market for construction materials, complicating specialty contractors’ efforts to navigate the post-pandemic environment.

Aaron Witt has always loved bulldozers — he even had his sixth birthday party at the local Caterpillar dealership.

Construction starts are once again increasing after a slowdown in the fourth quarter of 2021. But labor shortages continue, and after a brief decline, materials prices are again climbing, caused partially by the war in Ukraine.

Looking to 2020, the anticipated theme of the global economy is uncertainty, as countries around the world wait for clarity over future trading arrangements. Construction activity will slow as long as these geopolitical discussions linger. 

Enough isn’t said about general contractors on rocky, out-of-control projects who take the lead in solving problems they didn’t create.

The pace and complexity of projects combined with a labor shortage challenge specialty contractors

The West is outperforming other regions, mostly due to its low unemployment and steady increases in population.

Recruitment bonuses are no longer solely the domain of executive and professional-level positions at construction firms.

You can’t compete with the labor shortage. It has too much control over your progress.