Hiring for the Busy Season: Finding Good Workers in a Labor Shortage
What contractors need to know to get the right people, right now.
If you’ve been in construction for more than about five minutes, you already know the deal—when the weather turns nice, the work piles up. Jobs need to get done fast, but there’s one big problem: finding good help.
It’s tough out there. Everywhere you turn, folks are saying the same thing: “Nobody wants to work anymore.” But the truth is, people do want to work. You just have to know how to find them—and how to make sure they stick around.
Start Hiring Early—Way Before You’re Slamming Busy
You don’t want to be out there scrambling for workers the same week a big concrete pour is scheduled. If your busy season typically kicks off in the spring, your recruiting should start in late winter.
Get job listings out. Talk to your crew about who they know. Post on social media. Put a sign out front. Hang flyers at supply stores. Call the local trade schools. Whatever it takes.
Treat hiring like a jobsite—plan ahead and get the groundwork done before the real action starts.
What Actually Attracts Good Workers? (Hint: It Ain’t Just Money)
Sure, wages matter. If you’re offering $14/hr and your competitor down the road is starting folks at $18, guess where people are going?
But competitive pay is just the beginning. Here’s what else matters to workers, especially the younger generation:
- Respect. Don’t talk down to your people. Don’t yell unless someone’s about to get crushed.
- Clear expectations. If they know what you want and how to succeed, they’ll try to meet the mark.
- Steady hours. People want to work, but they also need to know when they’re off.
- Opportunity. Show them there’s a path forward—better pay, more responsibility, maybe even a full-time gig.
Training Seasonal Workers Fast (Without Losing Your Mind)
Hiring someone is one thing. Getting them up to speed before they do more harm than good? That’s another story.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Pair newbies with veterans. Put your best, most patient workers with new hires.
- Keep instructions simple. Don’t dump a ton of info all at once. Start with the basics.
- Use checklists. Break tasks down step-by-step.
- Have them shadow for a day or two. Even if you’re slammed, letting them watch can prevent costly mistakes.
If you’ve got standard tasks like setting up safety barriers, cleaning tools, or hauling materials, make cheat sheets or short phone videos to help them learn.
Wages vs. Incentives: What Keeps Workers Around?
Sometimes it’s not just the hourly rate that keeps people coming back. A few things that can make a difference:
- Bonuses for sticking it out. “Work the full season and get a $500 bonus” can be pretty motivating.
- Pay for performance. Hit production targets? Hit a higher pay tier.
- Free gear. A new pair of work boots or company swag never hurts.
- Food. Bringing in breakfast tacos or pizza now and then can boost morale more than you’d think.
Bottom line: Give people a reason to care. If they feel like they’re part of something—not just hired hands—they’ll stick around.
Use the Off-Season to Build a Talent Pipeline
Here’s the pro move: build relationships before you need them.
- Keep a file of good seasonal workers. Call them first next year.
- Offer off-season gigs. Equipment maintenance, cleanup work, snow removal—keep folks busy and loyal.
- Get known in the community. Sponsor a little league team. Visit trade schools. Post behind-the-scenes content online.
Final Thoughts
Hiring during the busy season is always going to be a challenge, especially when labor is tight. But if you treat people right, plan ahead, and get creative with training and incentives, you’ll have a better shot at building the kind of crew that doesn’t just get the job done—but gets it done right.
And if you’re using ProfitDig to bid your jobs and manage your costs, then you already know—it’s easier to take care of your workers when your numbers are solid. Happy crews. Profitable jobs. That’s how we roll.
Need to get your bids dialed in fast so you can focus on hiring?
Check out ProfitDig—the easiest construction bidding and job costing software around.