The $230 billion kitchen and bath construction and remodeling sector faces persistent skilled labor shortages, with nearly half of firms turning away work due to a lack of installers and carpenters. While severe shortages have eased, staffing challenges are now impacting a record share of businesses, highlighting a long-standing pipeline problem.
The persistent shortage of skilled labor in the kitchen and bath sector directly impacts builders and remodelers by limiting their ability to take on new projects, potentially increasing labor costs, and extending project timelines, thereby affecting margins and revenue.
The $230 billion kitchen and bath construction and remodeling sector is grappling with a persistent shortage of skilled labor, which is hindering business capacity and growth, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 Skilled Labor Workforce Study. The report, which surveyed over 500 kitchen and bath professionals in the U.S. and Canada, indicates that while the most acute labor shortages have slightly decreased since 2024, staffing challenges are now affecting a wider range of firms, with installers and carpenters remaining the most in-demand roles.
While the percentage of businesses reporting significant or moderate skilled labor shortages dropped to 40% in 2026 from 58% in 2024, the overall number of companies facing some level of staffing issues has reached an all-time high, suggesting the problem is becoming more pervasive. This trend mirrors broader issues in the residential building sector, which has struggled to replace retiring tradespeople amid growing demand for high-end kitchen and bath projects.
These labor gaps are directly impacting business capacity and revenue, with nearly half of respondents indicating that they have had to turn away new projects. This constraint can lead to project delays, extended cycle times, and increased backlog risk, forcing general contractors and custom builders to compete for limited skilled crews, potentially driving up labor costs or leading to lost business. The study identified a limited applicant pool and inadequate technical skills as primary recruitment barriers, emphasizing the need for early exposure to the trades, ideally starting in middle or high school, with over two-thirds of employers highlighting the importance of hands-on learning.
Bill Darcy, global president and CEO of NKBA I KBIS, acknowledged the challenge, stating, "The skilled labor shortage is a massive challenge for our industry, and our members recognize the critical role we must play in developing the next generation of talent." He noted that many businesses want to engage with students but lack the resources for program development, suggesting that ready-made programs and training materials could facilitate greater business involvement.
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