Work? no, this is not the perfect way to be spending my time right now, but it s what needs to happen. reporter: that s because he says he can t find anyone to hire. it s as bad as i could imagine it being right now. reporter: it s part of an industry-wide problem, the june jobs report revealed there are 238,000 fewer jobs in construction than in february of last year. the pandemic has really tossed in a lot of volatility to the supply demand labor relationship. we project that we ll need 430,000 workers this year and potentially another million or more over the next two years. reporter: demand for residential home construction boomed during the pandemic. the phone is ringing off the hook. i am expanding as quickly as i k but right now that s governed by the amount of skilled technicians i can bring on. reporter: despite the average hourly pay being nearly double a restaurant or retail position, construction companies continue