Why Is It Difficult To Get Contractors?

Someone asked me, and we've often asked ourselves this as well, why is it so hard to find contractors to help get work done on the house?  We've experienced difficulty with the trenching services, the plumbers, the electricians, as well as others.  So why is this?

As it turns out, we pay or are willing to pay, the same as amount as what these guys are getting through their commercial building customers.  The difference is that their commercial building customers are a source for repeat business, whereas we are not.  Therefore, if they aren't busy, they'll do work for us, but otherwise, we're going to keep getting pushed to the back of the queue as far as when they can work.

So it stands to reason that we've had trouble.  In comparing notes with other people I know in the area, who are also building (or have built) their own homes, it has been the same experience for them.  The best luck they've had is to pay for day labor and supervise closely.