Grant Adams, a framing subcontractor in Charlotte, recalls one worker who constantly had to miss work because of court dates or classes for drunk-driving offenses. They were not skilled like they said they were. Workers are in such demand that some contractors drive to competitors' job sites, handing out business cards and luring workers away with offers of better pay. If a worker doesn't like his foreman or doesn't feel like working that day, he knows there is a willing employer in the next subdivision. Hispanic workers have helped fill the void.
Many builders say Hispanic employees work hard and learn fast.
Language sometimes creates problems, but often someone in a crew knows enough English to get by. Many are living here legally. Donald Young, the former officer in charge of the Immigration and Naturalization Service's Charlotte office, estimates that about half of those working on Hispanic construction crews are illegal. But he says the agency doesn't go after them unless they are suspected of other crimes. Supervisors much younger For larger home builders, sometimes the only thing harder than finding a qualified carpenter is finding an experienced superintendent to watch over construction.