Immediate Release
8 February 2010
Renovation volumes up, but bargain prices keep pressure on tradespeople
The latest Builderscrack.co.nz Tradesman Job Size Index, published today, showed that the average size of jobs completed
by tradespeople fell for the second month in January, as fewer larger jobs were completed, and competition remained
strong for smaller jobs keeping prices competitive. After showing tentative signs of recovery in November last year,
over December and January the index retreated back to levels seen in July last year. Household confidence remains
fragile when it comes to home renovation and improvements.
The index is based on the cost of trade jobs completed through Builderscrack.co.nz. “While the volume of jobs completed
sky rocketed as the weather improved in January, the value of the jobs declined. An increasing number of larger jobs
were cancelled, with customers citing that their circumstances had changed,” said Builderscrack.co.nz director Keith
Roberts. “The market remains very competitive. We have over 2,500 tradespeople on Builderscrack.co.nz now, with the
number joining accelerating over the last two months, which was surprising given it was a holiday period. Homeowners
posting jobs over Christmas and New Years were also getting interest from 3 or more tradespeople within hours,
suggesting there were a number of tradesmen who didn’t have much of a break”.
About Builderscrack.co.nz
Builderscrack.co.nz is the leading website in New Zealand where homeowners can find good tradesmen and tradeswomen, get
multiple competitive quotes quickly and easily, and review tradesperson performance.
About the Builderscrack.co.nz Trade Job Services Index
The Builderscrack.co.nz Trade Job Services Index is based on the average value of jobs completed through
Builderscrack.co.nz. The metric measures variation since November 2008.
Builderscrack.co.nz Trade Index values:
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
100 78 80 70 80 70 68 64 71 77 75 76 85 74 70
ends