While the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was a time that many industries would soon like to forget, demand for plumbers and other local contractors reached all-time highs.
Homeowners, finding themselves with more time indoors, embarked on renovation projects and essential maintenance tasks, elevating the need for skilled tradespeople. This surge in demand came at a time when various building trades were already contending with labor shortages. The result was a strong upward pressure on wages for those skilled trade workers who remained in the labor force.
Demand for Plumbers in Context
Demand for plumbers has subsided following a historic spike during COVID-19
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of Google Trends data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
According to internet search data from Google, demand for local contractors rose sharply in 2020, peaked in early 2021, and began to decline as rising interest rates curtailed construction projects. Despite this, current levels of online searches for local contractors still remain above pre-pandemic levels.
The demand for plumbing contractors in particular is about twice as high as that of the next closest building trade—a fact due to plumbing’s critical role not only in new construction but also in small remodels, ongoing maintenance, and emergency repairs. Additionally, as water…
