How Builders Can Overcome Rising Labor Costs and Why Faster Installation Matters More Than Ever

Labor shortages are changing construction fast

Across the construction industry, skilled labor is becoming harder to find and more expensive to keep. According to a 2025 study by the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the skilled labor shortage costs the home building industry over $10.8 billion annually and adds nearly two months to average project timelines. With an aging workforce, fewer young tradespeople entering the field, and limited access to new labor sources, project schedules are under more strain than ever.

For builders, remodelers, and developers, this means one thing: time is money. Delays caused by labor shortages can directly impact budgets and profitability.

The hidden cost of slower, labor-intensive installations

Traditional shower systems are among the most labor-intensive parts of a bathroom build. Between waterproofing membranes, mud beds, slopes, drains, and tile work, a single shower can take days and often requires experienced installers to get it right.

When skilled help is hard to find, these steps become expensive risks. Leaks, call-backs, and failed inspections aren’t just frustrating; they’re costly.

That’s why many professionals are rethinking where they can save the most labor hours without compromising quality or durability.

Tile Redi™: a smarter way to build in a tight labor market

Tile Redi one-piece shower pans are factory-sloped, factory-waterproofed, and ready to install in minutes. There’s no mud bed, no membrane, and no multi-day cure time. Just set the pan in place, connect the drain, and you’re ready for tile.

Each shower base arrives as a single molded piece with an integrated curb, splash walls, and pre-pitched floor, eliminating the complex steps that typically require a skilled tile setter or waterproofing expert.

For installers, that means less time on hands and knees, fewer hours mixing and hauling materials, and a faster, cleaner jobsite.

• Install in as little as 30 minutes
• Eliminate leak risk
• Reduce labor costs and strain without reducing quality

For builders juggling project deadlines and tight crews, that’s a major advantage. Whether you’re managing multifamily projects, hotel renovations, or new home builds, Tile Redi reduces dependency on highly specialized labor, helping you stay on schedule even when crews are stretched thin.

When every hour counts, factory-built wins

When labor costs rise, the solution isn’t cutting corners. It’s cutting complexity. Prefabricated, ready-to-tile shower pans like Tile Redi shift much of the precision work to the factory, so installation in the field becomes faster, simpler, and more consistent. 

That translates to:

• Shorter project timelines

• Fewer subcontractors needed

• Lower risk of water damage or rework

• Predictable quality across every unit

In other words, you can complete more rooms with fewer installers and do it right the first time.

The future of building is Redi

As labor challenges continue to evolve, forward-thinking contractors and developers are turning to smarter, more efficient building products that reduce reliance on specialized trades.

Tile Redi isn’t just a shower pan; it’s a productivity solution designed for the realities of today’s construction environment.

In a market where every hour and every dollar counts, the fastest way to build smarter is to start Redi.