However, I\u2019m also happy to tell you there\u2019s hope for the future.<\/p>
In this article I sought out leaders of progressive and fast-growing remodeling and building companies who are smarter than the pack. They\u2019re using practical, inspirational and common-sense ideas to stay ahead of the anorexically thin hiring market.<\/p>
I\u2019m going to share 10 practical ideas, many of which I learned by interviewing 3 bright people you\u2019ll \u2018meet\u2019 in this post, which can help you win the battle with the lack-of-labor in your market. \u00a0<\/p>
Let\u2019s dig into the ideas.<\/p>
Idea #1 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Start \u2018spreadin\u2019 the news\u2019, \u201cI\u2019m good, I\u2019m busy, I\u2019m hiring.\u201d <\/strong><\/h2>When you\u2019re at a networking event and someone asks you, \u201cHow are you today?\u201d Do you answer (like a Debbie or Donnie Downer), \u201cI\u2019m fine, or start complaining about how you\u2019re struggling to find good people?\u201d<\/p>
If so Chris Peterson (Co-Owner of Schloegel Design Remodel<\/a> in Kansas City Missouri) would tell you to get your act together. This \u2018fine or complaint-filled\u2019 downer language is not in his vocab.
![\"Chris](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Chris-Peterson-solves-construction-labor-problems.png\")
<\/a>
Here\u2019s what Chris would say, \u201cI\u2019m good. I\u2019m busy. I\u2019m hiring.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>Chris will tell (anyone whose listening) his business is open to bringing in fresh talent. If you don\u2019t think his networking mantra is working, he\u2019d tell you how today he gets random calls from prospective employees who were referred from people he barely remembers meeting.<\/p>
His positive nature (and repetitive message) has prospective employees seeking him out. Chris is \u2018spreadin\u2019 the news\u2019 he\u2019s busy and hiring. People are responding.<\/p>
Idea #2 to solve the construction labor crisis – Just make room <\/strong><\/h2>\u00a0<\/strong>According to Aaron Enfinger, General Manager of The Cleary Company<\/a> in Columbus Ohio, \u201cIf you wait until you need to hire, it\u2019s already too late.\u201d
![\"Aaron](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Aaron-Enfinger-with-Intern-at-Cleary-Company.png\")
<\/a><\/p>Aaron gave me some sage advice on this topic. He said, \u201cMike, you just need to make room when you find the right person.\u201d<\/p>
While in a \u2018perfect\u2019 financial and hiring world you and I would wait until we desperately need someone to make a hire, we\u2019ll be swimming upstream trying to find the perfect person (which likely doesn\u2019t exist anyway). This is a bigger problem IF we do it at the last minute when we\u2019re desperate to hire.<\/p>
As Johnnie Cochran wouldn\u2019t say, \u201cIf you find a potential employee who fits \u2026. you must not acquit.\u201d
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/JOIN-IBB.png\")
<\/a> <\/em><\/h4>Idea #3 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Don\u2019t hire employees\u2026empower a movement! <\/strong><\/h2>All you have to do is talk to Robyn Garton of Pink Belts Roofing and Construction<\/a> in Alberta, Canada one time on the phone and you\u2019ll feel her passion to bring labor equality for women in construction oozing through the phone lines.
![\"Robyn](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Robyn-Garton-Pink-Belts-Roofing-and-Construction-601x900.png\")
<\/a><\/p>You see, Robyn experienced first-hand discrimination as a woman in the male-dominated roofing world. As she would say, \u201cGirls are getting less hours. Girls are being paid less.\u201d<\/p>
Robyn is a one-woman demolition crew on a mission to blow up this nonsense. \u00a0<\/p>
You\u2019ll often find Robyn speaking at high schools, universities, conferences (or even at restaurant tables \u2013 more about this later) sharing her new business model. This model is built on embracing women who lead a \u2018cleaner\u2019 lifestyle (\u2018er they\u2019re not out partying all weekend, drinking their paycheck away and can\u2019t make it in on Monday morning). She\u2019s determined to not only hire women but help them grow a career in construction.<\/p>
However, there is even a bigger \u2018spin\u2019 Robyn puts on this career opportunity.<\/p>
You see Robyn hires and trains women (from any field) who have the desire to learn, but also a realistic understanding this industry is (as Robyn would say), \u201cA heads down, ass up industry.\u201d Robyn\u2019s company not only trains these women in the skills of construction, but also to become entrepreneurs.<\/p>
Her goal is simple. Train them in the skills. Then partner with these same women to be subcontractors to her general construction and remodeling business. How cool is that? She is growing her own subs!<\/strong><\/p>Now Robyn (somewhat like Lebron James, but she\u2019s not going to South Beach) is bringing her talents to the United States. She\u2019s been touring U.S. cities determining where to launch her women-empowered remodeling business concept.<\/p>
While on a recent trip to New Orleans her new-business model even made it hard for her to eat in peace. She got to talking to the wait staff about what she is doing. The next thing she knew it half the girls from the kitchen were lining up to see how they could join her team also.<\/p>
You see these ladies in the service industry could smell a BIG opportunity staring them in the face. Why stay in the low-paying, hard-working service industry when a future job growing an entrepreneurial construction business can be their future?<\/p>
How impressive is Robyn\u2019s mission? Pretty impressive in my book.<\/p>
<\/a><\/em><\/h4>Idea #4 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Use products and systems which reduce (or eliminate) field labor. <\/strong><\/h2>\u00a0<\/strong>If you bought a new washer at your local big-box store and the dude or dudess who came to install dumped out a bunch of parts across your family room floor and started \u2018putting the pieces\u2019 together, would you look at them like they were nuts? I certainly would.<\/p>I would expect my new washer was prebuilt and ready to install.<\/p>
However, when it comes to remodeling, or building a new home, the labor-intensive, site-installed, piece by piece installation process is the world you and I live in.
<\/a>Here\u2019s what Chris would say, \u201cI\u2019m good. I\u2019m busy. I\u2019m hiring.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>
Chris will tell (anyone whose listening) his business is open to bringing in fresh talent. If you don\u2019t think his networking mantra is working, he\u2019d tell you how today he gets random calls from prospective employees who were referred from people he barely remembers meeting.<\/p>
His positive nature (and repetitive message) has prospective employees seeking him out. Chris is \u2018spreadin\u2019 the news\u2019 he\u2019s busy and hiring. People are responding.<\/p>
Idea #2 to solve the construction labor crisis – Just make room <\/strong><\/h2>\u00a0<\/strong>According to Aaron Enfinger, General Manager of The Cleary Company<\/a> in Columbus Ohio, \u201cIf you wait until you need to hire, it\u2019s already too late.\u201d
<\/a><\/p>Aaron gave me some sage advice on this topic. He said, \u201cMike, you just need to make room when you find the right person.\u201d<\/p>
While in a \u2018perfect\u2019 financial and hiring world you and I would wait until we desperately need someone to make a hire, we\u2019ll be swimming upstream trying to find the perfect person (which likely doesn\u2019t exist anyway). This is a bigger problem IF we do it at the last minute when we\u2019re desperate to hire.<\/p>
As Johnnie Cochran wouldn\u2019t say, \u201cIf you find a potential employee who fits \u2026. you must not acquit.\u201d
<\/a> <\/em><\/h4>Idea #3 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Don\u2019t hire employees\u2026empower a movement! <\/strong><\/h2>All you have to do is talk to Robyn Garton of Pink Belts Roofing and Construction<\/a> in Alberta, Canada one time on the phone and you\u2019ll feel her passion to bring labor equality for women in construction oozing through the phone lines.
<\/a><\/p>You see, Robyn experienced first-hand discrimination as a woman in the male-dominated roofing world. As she would say, \u201cGirls are getting less hours. Girls are being paid less.\u201d<\/p>
Robyn is a one-woman demolition crew on a mission to blow up this nonsense. \u00a0<\/p>
You\u2019ll often find Robyn speaking at high schools, universities, conferences (or even at restaurant tables \u2013 more about this later) sharing her new business model. This model is built on embracing women who lead a \u2018cleaner\u2019 lifestyle (\u2018er they\u2019re not out partying all weekend, drinking their paycheck away and can\u2019t make it in on Monday morning). She\u2019s determined to not only hire women but help them grow a career in construction.<\/p>
However, there is even a bigger \u2018spin\u2019 Robyn puts on this career opportunity.<\/p>
You see Robyn hires and trains women (from any field) who have the desire to learn, but also a realistic understanding this industry is (as Robyn would say), \u201cA heads down, ass up industry.\u201d Robyn\u2019s company not only trains these women in the skills of construction, but also to become entrepreneurs.<\/p>
Her goal is simple. Train them in the skills. Then partner with these same women to be subcontractors to her general construction and remodeling business. How cool is that? She is growing her own subs!<\/strong><\/p>Now Robyn (somewhat like Lebron James, but she\u2019s not going to South Beach) is bringing her talents to the United States. She\u2019s been touring U.S. cities determining where to launch her women-empowered remodeling business concept.<\/p>
While on a recent trip to New Orleans her new-business model even made it hard for her to eat in peace. She got to talking to the wait staff about what she is doing. The next thing she knew it half the girls from the kitchen were lining up to see how they could join her team also.<\/p>
You see these ladies in the service industry could smell a BIG opportunity staring them in the face. Why stay in the low-paying, hard-working service industry when a future job growing an entrepreneurial construction business can be their future?<\/p>
How impressive is Robyn\u2019s mission? Pretty impressive in my book.<\/p>
<\/a><\/em><\/h4>Idea #4 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Use products and systems which reduce (or eliminate) field labor. <\/strong><\/h2>\u00a0<\/strong>If you bought a new washer at your local big-box store and the dude or dudess who came to install dumped out a bunch of parts across your family room floor and started \u2018putting the pieces\u2019 together, would you look at them like they were nuts? I certainly would.<\/p>I would expect my new washer was prebuilt and ready to install.<\/p>
However, when it comes to remodeling, or building a new home, the labor-intensive, site-installed, piece by piece installation process is the world you and I live in.
<\/a><\/p>Aaron gave me some sage advice on this topic. He said, \u201cMike, you just need to make room when you find the right person.\u201d<\/p>
While in a \u2018perfect\u2019 financial and hiring world you and I would wait until we desperately need someone to make a hire, we\u2019ll be swimming upstream trying to find the perfect person (which likely doesn\u2019t exist anyway). This is a bigger problem IF we do it at the last minute when we\u2019re desperate to hire.<\/p>
As Johnnie Cochran wouldn\u2019t say, \u201cIf you find a potential employee who fits \u2026. you must not acquit.\u201d
<\/a> <\/em><\/h4>Idea #3 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Don\u2019t hire employees\u2026empower a movement! <\/strong><\/h2>All you have to do is talk to Robyn Garton of Pink Belts Roofing and Construction<\/a> in Alberta, Canada one time on the phone and you\u2019ll feel her passion to bring labor equality for women in construction oozing through the phone lines.
<\/a><\/p>You see, Robyn experienced first-hand discrimination as a woman in the male-dominated roofing world. As she would say, \u201cGirls are getting less hours. Girls are being paid less.\u201d<\/p>
Robyn is a one-woman demolition crew on a mission to blow up this nonsense. \u00a0<\/p>
You\u2019ll often find Robyn speaking at high schools, universities, conferences (or even at restaurant tables \u2013 more about this later) sharing her new business model. This model is built on embracing women who lead a \u2018cleaner\u2019 lifestyle (\u2018er they\u2019re not out partying all weekend, drinking their paycheck away and can\u2019t make it in on Monday morning). She\u2019s determined to not only hire women but help them grow a career in construction.<\/p>
However, there is even a bigger \u2018spin\u2019 Robyn puts on this career opportunity.<\/p>
You see Robyn hires and trains women (from any field) who have the desire to learn, but also a realistic understanding this industry is (as Robyn would say), \u201cA heads down, ass up industry.\u201d Robyn\u2019s company not only trains these women in the skills of construction, but also to become entrepreneurs.<\/p>
Her goal is simple. Train them in the skills. Then partner with these same women to be subcontractors to her general construction and remodeling business. How cool is that? She is growing her own subs!<\/strong><\/p>Now Robyn (somewhat like Lebron James, but she\u2019s not going to South Beach) is bringing her talents to the United States. She\u2019s been touring U.S. cities determining where to launch her women-empowered remodeling business concept.<\/p>
While on a recent trip to New Orleans her new-business model even made it hard for her to eat in peace. She got to talking to the wait staff about what she is doing. The next thing she knew it half the girls from the kitchen were lining up to see how they could join her team also.<\/p>
You see these ladies in the service industry could smell a BIG opportunity staring them in the face. Why stay in the low-paying, hard-working service industry when a future job growing an entrepreneurial construction business can be their future?<\/p>
How impressive is Robyn\u2019s mission? Pretty impressive in my book.<\/p>
<\/a><\/em><\/h4>Idea #4 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Use products and systems which reduce (or eliminate) field labor. <\/strong><\/h2>\u00a0<\/strong>If you bought a new washer at your local big-box store and the dude or dudess who came to install dumped out a bunch of parts across your family room floor and started \u2018putting the pieces\u2019 together, would you look at them like they were nuts? I certainly would.<\/p>I would expect my new washer was prebuilt and ready to install.<\/p>
However, when it comes to remodeling, or building a new home, the labor-intensive, site-installed, piece by piece installation process is the world you and I live in.
All you have to do is talk to Robyn Garton of Pink Belts Roofing and Construction<\/a> in Alberta, Canada one time on the phone and you\u2019ll feel her passion to bring labor equality for women in construction oozing through the phone lines. You see, Robyn experienced first-hand discrimination as a woman in the male-dominated roofing world. As she would say, \u201cGirls are getting less hours. Girls are being paid less.\u201d<\/p> Robyn is a one-woman demolition crew on a mission to blow up this nonsense. \u00a0<\/p> You\u2019ll often find Robyn speaking at high schools, universities, conferences (or even at restaurant tables \u2013 more about this later) sharing her new business model. This model is built on embracing women who lead a \u2018cleaner\u2019 lifestyle (\u2018er they\u2019re not out partying all weekend, drinking their paycheck away and can\u2019t make it in on Monday morning). She\u2019s determined to not only hire women but help them grow a career in construction.<\/p> However, there is even a bigger \u2018spin\u2019 Robyn puts on this career opportunity.<\/p> You see Robyn hires and trains women (from any field) who have the desire to learn, but also a realistic understanding this industry is (as Robyn would say), \u201cA heads down, ass up industry.\u201d Robyn\u2019s company not only trains these women in the skills of construction, but also to become entrepreneurs.<\/p> Her goal is simple. Train them in the skills. Then partner with these same women to be subcontractors to her general construction and remodeling business. How cool is that? She is growing her own subs!<\/strong><\/p> Now Robyn (somewhat like Lebron James, but she\u2019s not going to South Beach) is bringing her talents to the United States. She\u2019s been touring U.S. cities determining where to launch her women-empowered remodeling business concept.<\/p> While on a recent trip to New Orleans her new-business model even made it hard for her to eat in peace. She got to talking to the wait staff about what she is doing. The next thing she knew it half the girls from the kitchen were lining up to see how they could join her team also.<\/p> You see these ladies in the service industry could smell a BIG opportunity staring them in the face. Why stay in the low-paying, hard-working service industry when a future job growing an entrepreneurial construction business can be their future?<\/p> How impressive is Robyn\u2019s mission? Pretty impressive in my book.<\/p> \u00a0<\/strong>If you bought a new washer at your local big-box store and the dude or dudess who came to install dumped out a bunch of parts across your family room floor and started \u2018putting the pieces\u2019 together, would you look at them like they were nuts? I certainly would.<\/p> I would expect my new washer was prebuilt and ready to install.<\/p> However, when it comes to remodeling, or building a new home, the labor-intensive, site-installed, piece by piece installation process is the world you and I live in.<\/a><\/p><\/a><\/em><\/h4>Idea #4 to solve the construction labor crisis \u2013 Use products and systems which reduce (or eliminate) field labor. <\/strong><\/h2>