Austin’s KXAN is reporting tonight that an acute shortage of cranes and crane operators is complicating high-rise construction in Austin. We’ve heard numerous reports from developers that a scarcity of construction labor — and skilled general contractors and sub-contractors — is leading to escalating constructions costs, and higher condo prices in the end.
According to the story:
“There’s no available operators in Austin right now,” said construction worker Sam Buchanan. “They’re all working.” With a nationwide shortage, construction managers are paying more to keep cranes moving in Texas.
Over the last two decades, only a handful of tall buildings have been built downtown. As a result, local construction companies are only staffed to build a couple of major projects at one time. With more than 20 projects currently under construction or being planned, it is getting very difficult to find labor and equipment to build new projects. The result is simple: construction prices are going up and condo prices will likely follow.
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