It’s Not Just You, It’s a National Problem
If you’ve waited weeks for a quote or saw a repair estimate jump, you are not alone. This guide explains why it’s happening and what you can do next. No spin. Just facts, context, and simple steps you can use.
A Perfect Storm in the Skilled Trades
Think of the workforce like a leaky bucket. Experienced workers are retiring and leaking out. New workers are not filling the bucket fast enough. Demand, meanwhile, keeps pouring in.
Remodeling demand is still massive, staying above 600 billion and about 50 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. That pressure meets a fragmented industry with fewer skilled workers to do the jobs.
On the supply side, the gap is real. The industry has roughly 382,000 open jobs in an average month and needs about 500,000 new workers to keep up. Source: IAQ.Works Report
Immigrant labor is also a key part of the workforce in many trades. When those pipelines tighten, capacity drops and backlogs grow. Source: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
What the Shortage Means for Your Wallet and Your Wait Time
Why is my project quote so high?
With fewer skilled people available, labor costs rise.
Companies also pay more for overtime and recruiting. Those costs roll into your estimate.
Why will it take six months to start my project?
Crews are booked out. Backlogs are now normal in many markets, even for basic home repairs. Source: Texas A&M University.
Why are contractors so busy when demand feels flat?
Even if requests cool a bit in your area, the work still stacks up because there are not enough trained hands to clear the queue. The national market is large, and many jobs are time-sensitive.
What is the cost of home repairs in 2025 doing?
Prices reflect tight labor plus materials and insurance pressures. That combination keeps bids elevated compared with prior years.
National Solutions Being Explored
At the policy level, experts point to a mix of approaches:
- Expand labor force participation.
- Align skills training with demand.
- Reduce barriers to work and entrepreneurship.
- Consider targeted immigration changes.
Technology helps firms do more with the teams they have. Field-service tools, smart scheduling, and connected home devices improve first-visit fix rates and reduce wasted trips. Source: Zuper
How It Varies By Region
Your experience is local. Growth markets with lots of new construction often face the longest waits. Older regions focused on replacement and repair see steady demand for roofing, windows, HVAC, and weather-related fixes. JCHS also notes rising needs for energy upgrades and disaster resilience, which concentrate work in storm- and wildfire-prone areas. Source: JCHS. Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
How You Can Be a Smarter Homeowner in 2025
- Plan ahead like a pro. Treat major projects like moves or school enrollments. Start scoping 6 to 12 months before you want work to begin. You will get better dates and calmer decisions.
- Get apples-to-apples bids. Give each contractor the same written scope. Ask for line items on labor, materials, allowances, and schedule. This removes guesswork and keeps comparisons fair.
- Vet your vettors. Verify license, insurance, permits history, and three recent references for similar jobs. Call the references. Ask about schedule, change orders, and cleanup.
- Respect crew quality. A reliable team protects your home and your time. A lower bid from an overbooked or under-insured crew often costs more in delays and rework.
- Lock decisions early. Move fast on design choices and fixtures. Slow decisions cause schedule slips, which are costly when labor is scarce.
- Use tech to your advantage. Share photos and measurements before the site visit. Use video for quick clarifications. This shortens quoting cycles. Source for tech context: Zuper.co. Zuper
- Expect clear communication. Ask for a written schedule with milestones. Confirm how change orders will be handled and priced.
- Know what drives cost. Labor, materials, insurance, overtime, and recruiting all add up during a shortage. Understanding these inputs makes negotiation productive. Sources: Texas A&M University; JCHS. arch.tamu.eduHarvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
The home service labor shortage is real. The market is big, the bench is thin, and that affects quotes and timelines. Now you know why. You also know how to plan, compare, and choose with confidence. IAQ.works will keep explaining the moving parts and pointing you to practical steps that protect your home and your budget.
