Sunshine expected to brighten outlook for trade

From: Builderscrack.co.nz

Date: 10th November 2010

Sunshine and claim approvals expected to brighten outlook for tradesmen

The latest Builderscrack.co.nz Tradesman Services Index, published today, showed that the average size of jobs completed by tradespeople rose by 5% in October to reach 81, building on increases in September (3%) and August (4%). It is now 6% above the level it was in October 2009. The index is based on the cost of trade jobs completed through Builderscrack.co.nz.

The results vary significantly around the country. We have started to see growth come through in Canterbury, with a 12% rise in values from last year, while Auckland is up 6%. However, the Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Nelson region have remained under pressure, with declines of 7%, 2% and 5% respectively. “We started to see the impact of repair work in Canterbury come through in the numbers, and Auckland remains relatively positive” said Builderscrack.co.nz director Keith Roberts. “Summer has taken a while to arrive in some areas, which has dampened demand that we usually see at this time of year for building decks and outdoor living areas. The tradespeople we speak to expect things to pick up when the sun comes out”.

Further growth is expected from the Canterbury region as the rate of earthquake claims approvals picks up. “There are a large a number of jobs organized and ready to go, but waiting for the tick of approval from the EQC and insurers” said Christchurch based director Jeremy Wyn-Harris.

“Tradespeople are still very actively chasing work in all parts of NZ, with 92% large and small jobs posted on Builderscrack.co.nz receiving interest from at several tradespeople people within 3 hours. However, the rates trades people can request are slowly recovering from the depths of the crisis” said Roberts.

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