Navigating a new normal

By Emma Peterson. 

How contractors and manufactures can handle long-term uncertainty and instability.    

For the last few years, it seems like we are in a cycle of uncertainty and instability, whether that be on the geopolitical stage or local. And as 2026 continues in this trend, it is seeming like abnormality might actually be the new normal. To learn about how you can navigate this, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Eric Voyer from The Farnsworth Group for an episode of Contractor Outlook™. 

Eric opened with some statistics, sharing, “We were talking to people in October and November of last year and we were all hopeful to be up 1-2% at this point. And now we’re here and that’s not happening. We have a labor shortage, four out of ten contractors are reporting challenges finding labor, and supply chain instability. At this point there’s kind of a begrudging acceptance of the unpredictability.”  

And that acceptance, however begrudging, is key, because once you accept the abnormality of this new normal, you can start navigating it. Eric explained: 

Time saving and pricing segmentation are key. For manufacturers, they need to make sure they are listening to their target market and making what they need, rather than just making what we’ve always made... As for contractors, offering options and showing your skill is key. You’re rarely alone in this business, somebody else is probably bidding for the same project and they might have a lower price. What you need to highlight is the value you bring, the workmanship and the customer service. 

By going back to these core aspects of business – thinking about your market and your differentiators, both manufacturers and contractors can set themselves up to weather the storm of uncertainty.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the newscast to learn more.