Asking oneself every day, “What is it I am grateful for?” goes a long way to a positive outlook for sure.
Tom: Hello Sandy! Like the John Lennon song, “Another year over, a new begun a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Let us hope it’s a good one. . .”
Sandy: Back at ya, Tom! Wow, 2021 sure was a weird, zany, bizarre year full of new ways to conduct business and, at the same time, there is a lot to be thankful for.
Tom: We should talk about this past year as it relates to this wonderful, crazy construction industry we are part of – what we are grateful for, what changed and what we must look forward to.
Sandy: Excellent idea. So much has changed this year. As I like to say, there is always, always, always something to be thankful for. I am so grateful for the construction industry.
Tom: So many of our local construction companies are family-run businesses and they genuinely care about their employees and treat them with the respect and understanding, just like they would do for their own families.
Sandy: I feel that every community person should not take staff/workers for granted with everything that every business has been through during the pandemic. Every employee needs to be given appreciation and respect every day. Every employee and business is so important and everyone should be grateful to have a community of such industrious, professional and knowledgeable individuals working so hard.
Tom: Simply put, without our community workforce we would be unable to provide services to our citizens. Every employee is out there braving the elements (and I do not mean weather elements) and not only getting the job done, but ensuring that every customer is taken care of.
Sandy, in addition to the workforce, what are some thoughts on your grateful list?
Sandy: Oh my, that is one exceptionally lengthy list! Next to every single employee everywhere, my list starts with our local farmers markets and goes all the way to peanut butter, with a little “Alexa, please play Christmas Music” and lots of gratefulness for YCCA thrown in the mix.
Tom: Quite the range there, Sandy.
Sandy: LOL. I really think being grateful is the ultimate boost for feeling happy and fulfilled in life and gratitude matters because it is such a crucial aspect of looking at life positively.
Tom: Asking oneself every day, “What is it I am grateful for?” goes a long way to a positive outlook for sure. I suspect many of our readers feel the same.
Sandy: I am a lucky lady. To be able to help so many people when they call YCCA for help is truly a blessing.
Tom:I suspect you have gotten more calls this year and last, given the craziness of our industry.
Sandy: Well, I do not know about more calls, but the subject of the calls is different. Finding contractors to taking on projects of varying sizes is more difficult than in the past.
Tom: Got that. The labor shortage is only the tip of that iceberg. A lot of contractors are having difficulty finding help and that weighs in on where to focus your company’s attention.
Sandy: Demand is high, which leads to higher costs for products as well. Although, that has not really slowed down the desire for people to want to improve their homes or build new ones.
Tom: Have you seen a rise in folks turning to unlicensed people?
Sandy: Yes. And I say I get it, but it is such a bad move. I know costs are rising and people are saying they can get the work done cheaper.
Tom: I get it, too. But, boy, oh boy, can that backfire. Projects not being completed, no warranty security, there is that tip of the iceberg again. I agree it is a bad move to use unlicensed entities.
Sandy: Absolutely. I recall a book on management titled, “If You Haven’t Got the Time to Do It Right, When Will You Find the Time to Do It Again?” People need to be cautious as always. Do not be tempted to take what seems like the easy way out.
Tom: That might be the best take-away from this conversation!
Sandy: Maybe. What are some of the other changes you have seen?
Tom: Well, contracts have changed. Because contractors have zero control over the delivery and availability and cost of a lot of items that go into a home, contracts are now reflecting and specifying those items to make clients aware and to limit liability.
Sandy: I understand that for certain. I have also heard that ordering items like cabinets and widows earlier than normal is causing deposits to be higher.
Tom: That is another change. Consumers need to have those early down payments documented. The professional contractors out there know this and build it into their contract specifics.
Sandy: Our industry cannot perform its tasks on Zoom, so personal contact is essential. The protocols taken by contractors have changed. Masks and sanitizing are new features in our wheelhouse. We must remember you cannot install countertops virtually.
Tom: LOL. That is so true. So now I want to evaluate your clairvoyance skills. What do you see on the horizon for 2022?
Sandy: My crystal ball is always a bit fuzzy, and it is always turning, swirling and thinking! I would base my comments on those who do these predictions for a living. I am hearing from economists that the supply chain will catch up. I think this new COVID variant omicron and our leaders’ responses to that may have a real impact on whether that happens. What are some of your thoughts?
Tom: Great point. I think the changes in how detailed contracts have become will remain. And that is a good thing. I think inflation will continue to inch upward even though it is an election year.
Sandy: And Tom, I bet we see 40-year mortgages at some point in time. I am not even sure what “normal” is anymore. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it.
Tom: I keep hearing about the new normal. I hope that is not going to be a reality. Fear seems to have become more of a driving factor and that is not good. I believe that is more divisive than productive.
Sandy: There are so many topics, political points of view and social baggage that divide us nowadays. I am saddened by that. We need to find more ways to compliment and enjoy people for who we are. Being respectful and being grateful. Now those are changes I can really get behind!
Tom: Amen.
Tom and Sandy: Together, we say Happy New Year and let us all be grateful for life in general. Let us be grateful for work, let us be grateful for friends and family, let us be grateful for love and laughter, and let us be grateful for every random thing possible!
Thanks for stopping in to read At Home with Tom and Sandy. You are in good company, and we love sharing our talk with you. QCBN
By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis
Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com
Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040
Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.