Is any other construction worker feeling the squeeze from the lack of work (Orlando: new home)

[mom4]

We have been framing new homes for the past 18 years. Work has come to a complete HAULT!!! We had to lay off all our employees but 2. The builders are saying that it is going to get better by spring but who can wait. We have had our project pushed back until April. Savings can only last so long. My husband has been doing remodels and additions for the time being but how long can it last. WHERE IS ALL THE BUILDING!!! Is it any better in other areas of florida?

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by mom4

We have been framing new homes for the past 18 years. Work has come to a complete HAULT!!! We had to lay off all our employees but 2. The builders are saying that it is going to get better by spring but who can wait. We have had our project pushed back until April. Savings can only last so long. My husband has been doing remodels and additions for the time being but how long can it last. WHERE IS ALL THE BUILDING!!! Is it any better in other areas of florida?

Wasn't aware it had gotten that bad around the Orlando area, but from what I understand, Gainesville and Ocala should still be pretty good in that respect, but maybe that's turned a bit sour as well....

[mom4]

From what I understand, most of the builders have been slow in building new homes all over the US. Some of the guys my husband started out with 18 years ago have left the Orlando area until it picks up again. I dont know where they went if it is slow all over.

[JohnandCheryl]

Relocate to Atlanta.The market is strong in the outlying areas.

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by mom4

From what I understand, most of the builders have been slow in building new homes all over the US. Some of the guys my husband started out with 18 years ago have left the Orlando area until it picks up again. I dont know where they went if it is slow all over.

Plenty to do in Mississippi and Louisianna still I'd imagine...

[Prichard]

Look to work in renovations

I am aware that construction work for the big developers has come to a hault. However, due to the rise in taxes, many people are staying put and pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into renovating their existing homes. I suspect that this will continue until they change the tax laws to where people can freely move around again without getting slammed with a tax bill 4x the one they presently have.

In my neighborhood (purchased older house there for $300K 4 years ago) there are several renovations in process where the owners are spending in excess of $250K. These renovations require extensive demolition and reframing of the entire interior. So, I wouldn't move just yet. People in Florida still want to live in nice houses and will pay for it, even if they aren't moving to new ones. There's still gold in Florida - just need to know where to look.

[greggs]

im thinking of moving to orlando to get into the building trade [kitchen fitting]
do u think its worth it

[Prichard]

Greggs, I'd hold out for maybe a year. It is true that there are contractors who aren't getting work from the big builders, and a number of the ones with good reputations will get much of the renovation jobs. I'd consider this to be a tough market to break into, if you are moving to Orlando just to find work in the construction industry. One exception - commercial, industrial and warehouse construction is going strong. But, kitchen fitting sounds specific to residential which is (other than renovations) slow right now.

[greggs]

thanks for your reply

[greggs]

thinking of moving to orlando on a more perminant basis but all iv read is puting me and my family off even more now noing about the constrution trade
being so slow