At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there are still shortages everywhere you look in the building industry. This has resulted in price increases and delays. Lumber prices shot up in the second half of 2020 and show no signs of returning to normal in the foreseeable future. Composite decking manufacturers have reduced their color choices in order to optimize their manufacturing process to meet the increased demand. We are seeing lead times for windows double or triple compared to what we previously saw as normal.
What can be done about this situation? At Archadeck we have refined our processes to identify and focus on long-lead-time orders as soon as a contract is signed. This ensures that much of the added manufacturing time overlaps with the time when we are drawing up plans and obtaining permits. We also are seeing the benefit of the strong relationships we have built with our suppliers over the past 10 years. These ongoing relationships result in Archadeck getting a high level of service and priority with our distributors.
We also consistently hear from our prospective customers that they struggle to get someone out to quote their job. This is a by-product of the fact that everyone is busier now than they have ever been (us included). A smaller operator will only come out if he isn’t booked up, and then only if your job falls in his sweet spot of what he likes to build. At Archadeck we provide a free design consultation to anyone who asks for one. This could be a phone consultation to decide if you need us or want us to come to your home. Or it could be an on-site design consultation to discuss your options (including the cost of your proposed project). We also deal with the labor shortage like we always have, by paying our good carpenters and tradesmen what they are worth. The result has been very little turnover in the past 5 years, and that hasn’t changed in this current environment.
With higher costs, longer lead times and a labor shortage, you might be tempted to put your project off. We can’t say when (or if) things will return to the way they were before Covid. With the proposed infrastructure spending plans it doesn’t seem likely that things are going to change anytime soon.
Of course, we would love for you to go ahead with your dream project so that you can start enjoying it now! Call us for a free design consultation.
Mike, Marshall and Tucker Reu of Archadeck of Central SC.
