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Kitchen and bath firms turn away work as skilled labor shortages spread
NKBA found the share of firms reporting staffing shortages fell to 40% in 2026, but nearly half still can’t take on projects due to a shortage of installers and carpenters.
HousingWire reports that the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 Skilled Labor Workforce Study finds skilled labor challenges are affecting a record share of kitchen and bath firms in the U.S. and Canada.
The study, based on a survey of more than 500 professionals, says shortages eased somewhat from 2024, with the share of businesses reporting significant or moderate skilled labor shortages dropping to 40% in 2026 from 58% two years earlier.
However, nearly half of respondents said they were turning away work because they could not find enough skilled installers and carpenters. HousingWire notes the talent pipeline remains the key weak point, with a limited applicant pool and inadequate technical skills cited as top barriers to recruitment.
The findings also suggest capacity constraints for remodelers and builders, as labor gaps have already restricted their ability to take on new projects, potentially slowing pipelines and lengthening cycle times when skilled trades are in short supply. HousingWire adds that many expect the constraint to persist, raising the risk of backlog issues and increased competition among firms for limited crews.