Finding workers for your construction projects is tough right now. Like, really tough. If you're dealing with construction staffing headaches in Florida, you're definitely not alone. But here's some good news: there are smart ways to find the right people and keep your projects moving.
Let's be real about what's happening. The construction industry needs to hire about 439,000 more workers just to keep up with demand. That's a lot of open jobs. And in Florida, where building is booming, finding good workers is even harder. Get this—78% of construction companies say they're struggling to fill their open spots.
But don't worry. You've got options. The right tools and strategies can make hiring way easier. Let's talk about ten things that actually work.
What You're Up Against Right Now
Before we get into solutions, let's talk about why hiring is so hard these days.
First, the workforce is getting older. By 2030, the average construction worker will be 46 years old. Meanwhile, younger people aren't jumping into construction jobs like they used to.
Second, the work itself is changing. Today's job sites need people who know both old-school skills (like framing and plumbing) and new tech stuff (like building software and drone work).
Why the Old Way of Hiring Doesn't Work Anymore
Remember when you could just post a job and wait for applications to roll in? Those days are pretty much over.
Here's why: there just aren't enough people looking. Right now, there are about 382,000 construction job openings every single month across the country. The good workers? They've got companies fighting over them.
1. Team Up With a Construction Staffing Solution
This one's a game-changer. A staffing agency that knows construction can completely transform how you hire. These companies keep a list of workers who are already checked out and ready to go.
Think about what they handle for you:
- Background checks
- Making sure certifications are up to date
- All the payroll stuff
- Workers' comp insurance
- Benefits
Instead of spending weeks looking at resumes, you call them and boom—workers show up in a few days. Sometimes even the same day if you're in a bind.
Working with the right partner means you get more than just warm bodies on site—you get access to benefits that speed up your entire project timeline.
How to Pick a Good Staffing Partner
Not every agency gets construction. You want someone who:
- Has placed workers in jobs like yours before
- Has an office near you (local matters)
- Can do both short-term and temp-to-hire
- Sends people with current safety cards
- Has happy customers you can talk to
Understanding how construction temp agencies actually find and vet their workers helps you know what questions to ask when choosing a partner.
Companies like Tower Eight Staffing know Florida construction inside and out. They understand the difference between someone who just showed up and someone who actually knows the job.
2. Get Your Team to Bring in Friends
Your workers know other workers. It's that simple. Set up a program where you pay your employees for bringing in good people.
Here's what works:
- Give real rewards (cash is best)
- Pay them after the new person sticks around for a while
- Make it super easy to refer someone
- Thank people publicly when they bring in a great hire
- Keep track of who brings in the best workers
People who come in through a friend usually work out better. They already know what your company is like because their buddy told them.
3. Show Up to Job Fairs
Meeting people face-to-face still matters. At a job fair, you can talk to tons of potential workers in one day.
Make It Count
Bring this stuff:
- Nice-looking booth setup
- Clear info about what jobs you've got
- Photos of cool projects you've done
- Easy ways for people to apply (maybe a QR code)
- Plenty of business cards
Don't just grab resumes and leave. Actually talk to people. Ask them about their experience. Find out what they want in their next job. These conversations stick in people's minds when they're picking between offers.
4. Write Better Job Posts
Most people start their job search online. Your job posts need to grab attention.
Forget boring posts that just say "need construction worker." Here's what works better:
- Say exactly what the job is
- List what certifications you need up front
- Tell them the pay range (yeah, really—people want to know)
- Explain what makes your company cool
- Add pictures of your work and your team
- Say where the job is and how long it'll last
Post it everywhere: Indeed, LinkedIn, local sites, and construction-specific boards. Don't skip Facebook groups where local tradespeople hang out—tons of workers check those.
5. Pay What People Are Actually Worth
You can't lowball wages anymore. Construction pay keeps going up, and workers know what they should make.
Look up what other companies pay for the same jobs in your area. Then ask yourself: can you match that or do better? Here's the thing—being short on workers usually costs you more than paying good wages.
It's Not Just About Money
Sure, pay matters a lot. But other stuff counts too:
- Flexible schedules when you can swing it
- Paid days off
- Health insurance choices
- Retirement savings plans
- Bonuses when projects go well
- Money for tools
- Help paying for training and certifications
These extras help you get workers who are thinking about building a career, not just grabbing any job.
6. Train People Yourself
Can't find workers with the exact skills you need? Train them. Yeah, it takes longer up front. But you're building a group of people who know exactly how you do things.
Work with local trade schools. Offer apprenticeships where people learn and earn at the same time. Lots of young folks want construction jobs but don't know how to break in. You could be their way in.
Help Your Current Team Level Up
Don't forget about the people you already have. When you train them for bigger jobs, two things happen. Your team gets better opportunities (so they stick around), and you fill those hard-to-hire supervisor spots.
7. Use Tech to Speed Things Up
Hiring doesn't have to take forever. There's software that can cut your hiring time in half.
Look for tools that:
- Check resumes for the certifications you need
- Set up interviews without a million emails
- Keep candidate info for next time you're hiring
- Show you which job boards work best
- Send updates to people automatically
Speed matters here. The best workers find new jobs within days of looking. If your hiring process drags on for weeks, they'll be gone.
When you combine smart technology with expert staffing support from a construction agency, you create a system that consistently delivers quality workers when you need them.
8. Call Up Your Best Former Workers
Some great potential hires already worked for you before. Reach out to people who left on good terms and let them know you've got openings.
Bringing back former workers has perks:
- They already know how you do things
- Getting them started again is quick
- They know your company vibe
- You already saw them work
Keep a list of good former employees. Stay in touch even after they leave. Send them updates now and then. Let them know they can always come back.
9. Talk About Safety and Culture
Good construction workers care about safety. It's literally about staying alive. When you're recruiting, lead with your safety record.
Share your safety numbers:
- How many days since the last accident
- Hours of safety training you provide each year
- How much you spend on safety gear
- Your safety awards and recognition
Make People Feel Good About Working There
"Company culture" might sound fancy, but it matters in construction too. Workers want respect. They want to be heard. They want to feel valued.
Small stuff makes a big difference:
- Regular meetings where everyone can speak up
- Saying thanks when someone does great work
- Treating everyone fairly
- Clear ways to move up
- Being there for people when life gets hard
Word spreads fast. When you treat workers well, they tell their friends. That makes your next hiring push way easier.
10. Plan Ahead Instead of Panicking
Stop putting out fires and start preventing them. Look at your upcoming projects and figure out how many workers you'll need in three to six months.
Make a calendar that shows:
- When projects start and end
- Your busiest times
- When you'll need special skills
- How your area's busy season works
When you know you'll need more people ahead of time, you can find them before you're desperate. This also helps you use a construction staffing solution smarter—bring in temporary help for specific busy periods.
Build Relationships Before You Need Them
Get to know staffing agencies and trade schools now, not when you're scrambling. When a huge project comes in and you need to double your crew fast, these connections save you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Staffing
How long does construction staffing take when you use an agency?
Most agencies can get you workers in 24 to 72 hours for common jobs like general labor, carpentry, or electrical work. For specialized roles or when you need a bunch of people at once, it might take one to two weeks. It depends on what skills you need, what certifications are required, and who's available in your area right now.
What's the difference between temporary and temp-to-hire construction staffing?
Temporary staffing is for short-term needs—like a specific project or your busy season. The agency pays the workers, not you. Temp-to-hire lets you test people out before making them permanent employees. You see how they actually work before you commit. Lots of contractors use temp-to-hire for skilled positions like foremen or specialty trades.
How much does using a construction staffing solution cost?
Agencies usually charge 40-75% more than what the worker makes. So if a carpenter gets $25 an hour, you'd pay the agency maybe $35-44 an hour. That covers the worker's pay, taxes, insurance, benefits, and the agency's cut. Sounds pricey, right? But it's often cheaper than doing all the recruiting, paperwork, and payroll management yourself.
What certifications should construction workers have?
At minimum, most positions need a valid driver's license and OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 training. Specialized jobs need more—crane operators need NCCCO certification, welders need AWS certification, electricians need state licenses. Always double-check that certifications haven't expired. Old credentials can get you in trouble with safety inspections and insurance.
How can I stop losing so many workers?
The best way to keep workers is pretty simple: treat them right. Pay them well, give them steady hours, show them how they can grow with your company, say thanks when they do good work, and actually listen when they talk. People leave when they feel underpaid, disrespected, or stuck. Check in with your team regularly so you can fix problems before people start job hunting.
Does Tower Eight Staffing work in my part of Florida?
Tower Eight Staffing covers construction projects all over Florida. They know Florida's construction market and what the state requires. Whether you're doing residential builds or huge commercial projects, they can help. Just reach out and tell them where your project is and what you need.
How do I handle busy and slow seasons?
Keep a core group of year-round employees. Then bring in temporary workers when things get crazy. Try to use the same reliable temps season after season—they learn your standards. Some contractors also cross-train people in different skills, making them useful even when work slows down. A good construction staffing agency can adjust your worker numbers up and down as you need them.
How do I know if an agency sends good workers?
Start by being super clear about what you need. Good agencies will ask lots of questions about the skills and experience you're looking for. Ask for references from other construction companies. When workers show up, watch how they handle safety, tools, and the actual work in the first day or two. Tell your agency contact what you think—they want to send you the right people and will make changes based on what you say.
Setting Up Your Team for the Long Run
Here's the truth: construction staffing problems aren't going anywhere soon. Experts say the worker shortage will last at least until 2030 as older workers retire.
But that doesn't mean you're stuck. The ideas we just covered give you lots of ways to find and keep good workers. Mix and match based on what you need. Maybe you use a staffing agency when things get crazy while building up your employee referral program for permanent hires.
The important thing? Just start. Pick one or two things from this list and try them. See what works. Construction staffing gets easier when you have a plan instead of just reacting to problems.
Tower Eight Staffing gets what Florida contractors are dealing with. Whether you need a few workers for a quick project or want help building a complete staffing plan, they've got flexible solutions that fit your business. They focus on quality workers, reliability, and getting people to you fast. So you can stop stressing about finding workers and get back to building great stuff.
Ready to fix your construction staffing problems for good?
Reach out to Tower Eight Staffing today and talk about how their construction staffing solution can keep your projects fully staffed and running on schedule.