Why Is It So Hard to Find Contractors in 2025?

If you’ve ever tried to schedule a plumber, electrician, or handyman for your rental property, you know the struggle is real. Skilled trades are in short supply, and demand has never been higher. Landlords looking for reliable help often face long wait times, inflated bids, or contractors who simply don’t call back.

The reality? The US is in the middle of a historic contractor shortage, and it’s not going away anytime soon. So what’s behind this crunch, and what can you do about it?

What’s causing the contractor shortage in 2025?

Industry data shows the U.S. is short 430,000 contractors today, and more than a million more will be needed over the next two years. That gap impacts every homeowner, but landlords in particular feel it most, because they need reliable help quickly to protect tenant safety, keep properties habitable, and prepare homes for the rental market.

Belong’s nationwide vendor network was built to solve exactly this problem, connecting homeowners instantly with more than 10,000 vetted professionals. But to understand why that network is so valuable, it’s worth looking at the four big reasons skilled labor is harder to find than ever.

1. Why are new housing and renovations outpacing supply?

The U.S. housing market is booming. With limited inventory available, builders are rushing to construct new homes, while many current homeowners are investing in major upgrades to make their existing spaces more comfortable.

For contractors, steady, long-term work on new housing projects or high-margin renovations often looks better than small, one-off rental repairs. Add in the time wasted chasing leads on sites like HomeAdvisor and Angi, and it’s no wonder many tradespeople avoid episodic jobs from landlords.

What this means for landlords: Expect longer wait times if you’re trying to book contractors on your own. Competing with large projects makes it difficult to secure skilled labor quickly, especially for smaller jobs like fixing leaks or patching drywall.

2. Why do older rental homes need more attention?

The average U.S. home is getting older, and in California, the median home age is 45 years, with Los Angeles homes averaging 57 years. Properties of this vintage almost always need more work: from plumbing upgrades to electrical rewiring and roofing fixes.

When these homes enter the rental market after long-term owner occupancy, they often require multiple repairs at once. That sudden demand only piles more pressure on a contractor workforce that’s already stretched thin.

What this means for landlords: If your rental property is older, anticipate higher demand for skilled trades and plan preventive maintenance early. Waiting until after move-in risks stacking urgent repair requests when contractors are already booked months out.

3. How did the “Great Resignation” shrink the workforce?

Over the past few years, millions of U.S. workers have quit their jobs, rethinking their priorities and seeking more meaningful work. That cultural shift, amplified by the pandemic, has hit the trades too. Experienced professionals retired early, younger workers pursued other careers, and fewer apprentices entered the pipeline.

This labor shortfall means even fewer skilled contractors are available to meet growing demand. As Nobel laureate Paul Krugman put it, many workers are now “rethinking their lives,” leaving traditional industries short-staffed.

What this means for landlords: The shortage is structural, not temporary. Even if demand cools, rebuilding the workforce will take years. That makes it harder for independent landlords to find consistent, reliable help, especially on short notice.

4. Why do licensing requirements make replenishing the workforce slow?

Becoming a licensed contractor isn’t easy, and that’s a good thing for safety and quality. But it also means new workers can’t quickly fill the gap.

For example, to get a C-9 Drywall Contractor’s License in California, applicants need at least four years of journeyman-level experience and must pass a two-part state exam. Similar requirements apply to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trades.

This high barrier ensures skilled, qualified professionals, but it also means the contractor shortage will be with us for years, even if more people start training today.

What this means for landlords: Availability will remain tight. Without a trusted network, you may end up waiting weeks or even months for something as simple as a drywall patch or outlet repair.

How Belong Solves the Contractor Crunch for Homeowners

Trying to compete with big developers and high-paying renovation projects for contractor time is a losing battle for most landlords. That’s why Belong built a vendor network designed to give homeowners access to quality professionals, without the stress of calling around or waiting for weeks.

Belong connects you to a 10,000+ strong team of vetted contractors, tradespeople, and handymen across every major trade, available at the tap of a button through the Belong app. Residents submit requests, our AI system triages them, and trusted pros are dispatched immediately, whether it’s a leaky faucet, a faulty furnace, or a full renovation.

By partnering with Belong, you’re not just getting access to contractors. You’re getting:

• Peace of mind knowing your home is cared for by licensed, insured professionals.
  
  
• Faster response times than trying to book contractors independently.
  
  
• Transparent pricing and optional financing to protect your cash flow.
  
  
• Tenant satisfaction through proactive, professional service that keeps homes safe and habitable.
  
  

Bottom line: If you’ve got the house, Belong has the contractors. From small fixes to major upgrades, we put the right people on the job so your property, and your investment, is always protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is there such a contractor shortage in 2025?

A mix of booming housing demand, an aging housing stock, the “Great Resignation,” and long licensing timelines have created a perfect storm.

2. How does this shortage affect landlords?

It’s harder to book reliable contractors for small jobs. Wait times are longer, and competition from large projects means landlords often get pushed to the back of the line.

3. Will the shortage get better soon?

Not quickly. Licensing and training requirements mean it could take years to replenish the workforce, even if more people enter the trades now.

4. How can Belong help me with contractor access?

Belong offers access to a vetted network of 10,000+ contractors. With our concierge and app system, you get reliable professionals dispatched quickly, without chasing quotes or waiting months.