We recently sent a survey to our readers to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting contractors. The responses varied with a total of 487 completed surveys.

When going through all of your comments, it was quite disheartening to learn about how difficult times are right now.

One of our respondents wrote, “At this point we have laid off 27 plumbers and apprentices and parked 12 service trucks out of our fleet of 25 trucks. We have also laid off three office staff and the rest of the staff have taken pay cuts.”

Many others expressed similar experiences with comments like: “Very little business conducted.” “Everyone has been impacted greatly.” “In business 38 years; never had a day without work until now.”

Those that are still working are trying to keep their employees and customers as safe as possible. Businesses are rearranging their workplaces, buying up as much personal protection equipment as possible, and postponing projects.

As difficult as events are at the moment, it is amazing to see how everyone in our industry has been trying their hardest to “flatten the curve.” Many even said that they are screening customers before they enter the jobsite to make sure that their employees are safe.

Since the survey, governments have been offering more support for businesses. From the responses we saw in the survey, there was a lot of confusion on whether or not it would help. And some aren’t exactly thrilled by the support being offered. “Anything the government is going to give me they will want back, so don’t give me anything,” said one respondent.

Others appreciate the help. “It will be a help; not sure if the 30 percent reduction in revenue will be offset by the subsidy enough to prevent any lay-offs,” said one.

Hopefully, everyone will be able to pull through these tough times. It looks like it could be upwards of a year until things return to normal. Our industry needs to work together.