NewbornXenomorphs t1_j4sf1fc wrote
Reply to comment by Groady_Wang in Property owners of NJ, what has your experience been like finding and working with contractors recently? Is the nationwide labor shortage noticeable labor in your area? by [deleted]
If you don’t mind, could you elaborate on the kid of work you had done?
In the houses within our cash budget, we’ve typically found homes that look like they haven’t been updated since the 70s. We like the open style home where you can see the kitchen, dining room and living room in the same space. So it would take a lot of removing walls in addition to updating counters and maybe even moving around appliances. Also retiling bathrooms and maybe replacing tubs.
We could however apply for a loan to cover the the amount we’d have to pay after a cash down payment. I know interest rates are crazy but it might be worth the costs to find the perfect house and not deal with workers who may overcharge or totally screw us.
dickprompt t1_j4sjd0d wrote
Not sure what it’s like now but I redid my whole house during the pandemic. Labor wasn’t an issue, the lead times on the materials were the biggest setbacks. Our kitchen cabinets took over 6 months to come in.
papelpicadoarcoiris t1_j4sjgcz wrote
Not the original commenter, but my dad is a contractor in central Jersey and I do all of his contracts and invoicing. He’s been booked solid throughout COVID and his only issues have been increased cost and availability of materials. I know for some bathroom and exterior jobs he’s had to wait longer than usual for supplies to come in; same goes for appliances. He’s been able to keep his help and subcontracting positions filled, too. He ends up encountering some of those “ghosted” customers/homeowners so I think the bigger issue in that regard is trusting your contractor and getting multiple bids. Good luck in your house hunt! I recently moved back to the area after nearly a decade in the PNW…there’s nowhere like central Jersey!
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