Soaring demand for contractors causing delays, backlogs in WI
MILWAUKEE - Over the last year, many of our homes have also become our workplaces, schools and daycares. Those demands have many people looking to change a few things around their houses, like adding a home office. They’ll likely be waiting a while.
"There's more demand than ever before," said Jason Cyborowski, of J&J Contractors I in Wauwatosa. "Anywhere from four to five months is a realistic time frame [for a big project.]"
What’s leading to the longer lead times? High demand for contractors, plus a range of supply shortages and backlogs.
Cyborowski says their requests for interior work are through the roof.
"Last year was the best year we've ever had and this year is already on the books to be better than last year," said Cyborowski. "They’re doing basements, they’re doing additions."
Jason Cyborowski
NARI Milwaukee says its contractors are reporting increases upwards of 60 percent for home improvement and remodeling projects.
"Plan that it's going to be a good month before they can even come out and see you," said Diane Welhouse of NARI.
Contributing to delays is manufacturer backlog. Right now, ordering a new door can take four weeks. A new window can take ten weeks. Fixtures, cabinets, and vinyl siding might take three months.
"Plus, they've reduced the amount of choices to keep up with demand," said Welhouse. "If siding came in 15 colors at one point in time, they’ve narrowed that down to six."
Diane Welhouse
It doesn’t help that manufacturers also shut down to implement CDC guidelines, continue to close temporarily and are still operating with reduced workforces.
"It's not us, it's everybody we're buying from," said Cyborowski.
Prices are up, too. Over the last year, the price of lumber has more than doubled, to a record high.
"In the beginning, treated lumber was the toilet paper of the building industry," said Josh Brown of Bliffert Lumber and Hardware.
Since March, Brown says they’ve seen a rise in do-it-yourself customers. It’s been good for business, but Brown warns against taking on more than you can handle.
"You can put yourself in a tough situation there because you might have a project started, and then not be able to get a contractor on that for 3-4 months at that point," said Brown.
Josh Brown
Contractors may be busier than ever, but permit applications are actually down slightly in West Allis and in other communities. How can that be? While some households are saving money, others are struggling. People are likely also doing a lot of smaller projects, or work without permits.
"Things like re-roofing a house or re-siding, house painting, tiling, new cabinets, a lot of those different things don't require permits [in West Allis]," said Ed Lisinski, West Allis Director of Building Inspection and Neighborhood Services.
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Lisinski says to call your municipality to ask which permits it requires.
Before starting any major project, contractors ask for one thing.
"Whether it's a roofer, sider, window installer, kitchen remodeler, whoever it is, please be patient with them," said Cyborowski.
NARI Milwaukee says if a contractor claims they can start a big project within 30 days, that may be a red flag. Also, if a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. That’s true now, more than ever before.
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