05-06-2018, 08:53 AM
There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle. I have worked in construction for over 30 years, mostly remodeling existing houses, but some new residential construction. We were having a labor shortage back in the ‘90s. And the construction workforce has been aging. They used to figure framing was a young man’s job—not anymore. The last new construction job I did was in ‘97–in several weeks at the site, I only saw one man who appeared to be 30 or under. Of the guys I worked with most, I was the last one still working ten years ago. Importing Mexicans has been an answer to some of that, but not all. Most often they work in crew situations, where they can get by as long as they have one man who can speak English well enough to deal with the contractor or homeowner. They seem to dominate in framing and roofing where we live. But not all jobs require a crew.
And workforce is not the only problem. The size of an average house has doubled or more since the 1950s. Kitchens and baths have gotten larger and more elaborate—and they are the most expensive rooms in a house, mainly for cabinets, appliances, and plumbing fixtures.
There are also local regulations that are part of the problem—minimum lot sizes, minimum house sizes, restrictions on how a building is finished, even paint colors. Some of these come from local government, some from Homeowners Associations. Then there are the environmental regulations that have affected the cost and quality of lumber—ever since the ‘90s. They are now making 2x4s out of 9” diameter logs. And the lumber from immature trees is not as stable as the older stock—I have bought lumber that was straight and true when I picked it at the store, and 3 days later it is twisted and warped.. The cedar and redwood for sale today no longer have the rot resistance and insect resistance they were once known for—that came from harvesting old trees that had built up large amounts of tannins in the wood over years of growth, and we’re now using wood from young trees grown on tree farms.
More to say on this, but have to run for now. May be back later.
And workforce is not the only problem. The size of an average house has doubled or more since the 1950s. Kitchens and baths have gotten larger and more elaborate—and they are the most expensive rooms in a house, mainly for cabinets, appliances, and plumbing fixtures.
There are also local regulations that are part of the problem—minimum lot sizes, minimum house sizes, restrictions on how a building is finished, even paint colors. Some of these come from local government, some from Homeowners Associations. Then there are the environmental regulations that have affected the cost and quality of lumber—ever since the ‘90s. They are now making 2x4s out of 9” diameter logs. And the lumber from immature trees is not as stable as the older stock—I have bought lumber that was straight and true when I picked it at the store, and 3 days later it is twisted and warped.. The cedar and redwood for sale today no longer have the rot resistance and insect resistance they were once known for—that came from harvesting old trees that had built up large amounts of tannins in the wood over years of growth, and we’re now using wood from young trees grown on tree farms.
More to say on this, but have to run for now. May be back later.
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