Remodeling a newly purchased townhouse--is demand for contractors up or down now? (prices, construction)

[NeedsinfoMN]

We bought a winter home in Florida 6 months ago that is in need of some major remodeling--kitchen gut, bath gut, wallpaper & popcorn ceiling removal throughout, new flooring everywhere etc. This is forty years old and hasn't been touched since it was built. We're trying to calculate if now is the time to start a big project or if we should sit tight a bit and wait it out.

I keep reading such contradictory things about remodeling now with the pandemic.


On the one hand, I read that because of sheltering in place for months many people are now realizing they need /want to improve and change things around in their houses. So, there is lots of pent-up demand for remodeling, and contractors and skilled craftsmen are busy. The demand is such that they will definitely hold and maybe increase their prices.


OTOH, I read that with high unemployment numbers, the stimulus payments ending soon, a coming recession, and people not wanting to risk letting workers in their homes because of COVID that contractors and subs are going to witness a big slowdown soon. They may have projects they are now working on and finishing up, but these were pre-planned prior to the pandemic. Later this summer is when they'll start facing the reality that remodeling demand has dried up, and there is not much work available. They may have to cut their prices just to obtain work.


What are you seeing where you are? If you are a homeowner, what are you discovering as you contact pros? If you are a pro, what do you see happening now?

[BoBromhal]

go to the forum in the city you purchased and ask there. Generally, I've seen "trades" as essential business. But I have no idea how it's working - or how busy they are - in your new location.

[himain]

Here in Denver, my carpet guy was 2 weeks out. My handyman is a week out. A remodeling company was 3 weeks out just to give me an estimate. This was in May btw

[Hemlock140]

With the stay-home orders many more people around here are having work done. Just in the 3 blocks around our house right now you can see two homes getting additions, one getting extensive front landscaping, one being painted (outside) and one being roofed. We just went halves on a new fence with our neighbor a few weeks ago. In March we had our roof and gutters cleaned, and some of the neighbors asked for appointments and were told they were backed up with work for 8 weeks.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by NeedsinfoMN

Remodeling a newly purchased townhouse-- is demand for contractors up or down now?

The real deal licensed guys with good insurance, bonding, reserves etc etc
AND positive reports from former clients --- these guys are ALWAYS busy.
We're you curious about the other sort of "contractors" too?

[sonnymarkjiz]

I would say it's up. In NOVA, people who are working from home perm are getting remodels done left and right now. So I say try to book as soon as you can.

[Dogmama50]

Good contractors are pretty much always busy, be careful who you hire.

[k7baixo]

I suspect a lot of people have looked at their surroundings and implemented projects since being at home. I personally know two friends who had major landscaping projects performed in the last two months.

[Hal Roach]

Break the job I to distinct smaller jobs, and save $$$$. You don't want to pay an electrician to do drywall, for example.

[blahblahyoutoo]

upppp.. have you been to a lowes or HD lately?
I'm DIY'ing and the home improvement stores are full of DIY'ers and contractors. I see dumpsters all around the 'hood. new construction is still being put up.