Home Builders Can Continue Working, But Prepare for Delays

While other businesses close, those considered essential by local governments can continue, including a majority of builders. Not only are builders essential, but some say they are also well positioned to minimize the risk of infection with their protective gear, ability to spread out around the project, and smaller teams, thanks to the labor shortage. They are also taking social distancing seriously and continuing stay-at-home policies when workers are sick. But as they wake up and arrive on site, it is not always business as usual: Material shortages and other delays are beginning to slow projects down.

Homebuilders and remodelers aren’t being closed down by the coronavirus restrictions, but builders say they are trying to keep their workers safe and their projects on track.

“As you know, residential is considered essential infrastructure per the Dallas County order,” said Phil Crone, executive officer with the Dallas Builders Association. “We’ve instructed our members to strictly adhere to social distancing.”

Matt Mitchell of James Andrews Custom Homes said his construction crews are working to halt the spread of infection.

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