Builders continue to worry about labor

If the housing industry continues on the current recovery track, it might become more difficult to find labor, and that could drive up costs.

Builders speaking on a panel of the Lee Building Industry Association in Fort Myers recently voiced concerns about the fact that many skilled tradesmen left Southwest Florida during the real estate bust.

Gary Aubuchon, president of Aubuchon Homes in Cape Coral, illustrated the point by asking how many subcontractors were present at the meeting. Out of a crowd of about 130 people, only one half dozen subs raised their hands.

While it's not a problem yet, builders are worried that they won't be able to raise prices on new homes enough to compensate for increased labor costs.