Economic Slow Down?

PolishedConcret

I am curious how others in the flooring market are responding to the current economic slow down and stall of some construction across the nation. Any ideas on where to look for new leads and opportunities?

rusty baker

I live in a mostly rural area. This slowdown started 2 years ago. Not much I can do but get by on less. I did raise my prices some to offset increased fuel and supply cost.

Floordude

All he;; finally broke out here. It was a small job here and there, but filled the schedule. Now it is the big jobs again, and lots of calls for commercial dog eat dog work.

__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com

kirbymurphy

I'm cautiously optimistic. I was selling new homes and mortgages in 05 and noticed an extreme lack of qualified buyers then. Things were booming because the lenders were greedy and made the loans anyway. We all know what happened after that. Point is, economics were BAD back then, but went unnoticed or unmentioned in the news. Now it seems the press can't print enough doom and gloom.

In the past month I'm seeing more people that seem to be in better financial positions. Why, I don't know. I'm still seeing many under-employed and unqualified shoppers, but the more well-to-do seem to be opening their checkbooks.

I noticed on CNBC that 5 of the 6 national home builders are in the green with stock prices. That tells me that their highly skilled (I hope) economic analysts are telling them to gear up for the recovery. DR Horton, Toll, KB and the others need a longer lead time than us small fry, but just the fact that their stocks look better makes me feel better.

I have sideline business of equipment leasing and I'm getting more calls about dump trucks and yellow iron, so that tells me more commercial biz is up for bid.

Either way, my fingers are crossed and I toss in a prayer or two every day.

Floordude

I have not relied on new construction to barely get by, for 10 years.

My market is high end remodels and make overs. The new home market cannot afford my services, unless it is an inspection. Then only a handful of builders that will actually agree to the price of an inspection.

__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com