Early results from MULTIFAMILY Design+Construction's inaugural Kitchen + Bath survey of multifamily developers, architects, contractors, and other specifiers make it clear that supply chain problems are impacting apartment, condo, and townhome projects.
To take the survey – with a chance to win one of 10 $50 debit cards – go to MFDC K+B Survey. To be qualified to participate, your company must be actively involved in multifamily design, development, or construction, and you must give your name, company name, and email at the end of the survey.
HOW COVID, UKRAINE WAR ARE IMPACTING SPECIFIERS
We asked: "What K+B amenities have you had DIFFICULTY SOURCING due to the Covid pandemic or Ukraine war? What are you doing about this?"
Appliances came up more often than any other product category. "We've been purchasing them early and storing in our own warehouses or changing our spec to purchase models that are in stock/available," said one respondent.
"It's been difficult getting appliance packages with the same manufacturer," said another respondent. "We're needing to mix manufacturers and appliances."
Yet another said, of appliances, "We're ordering early and being more flexible, less committed on specific brands or models."
"We had to take early delivery of the appliances (way ahead of schedule), because otherwise they'd be given to another project," said a respondent. "As a result, we had to find storage for the appliances."
Stackable washer/dryer combos were In short supply, according to one respondent.
THE GREAT REFRIGERATOR VANISHING ACT OF 2022
Refrigerators were the main culprit, according to early survey respondents. One respondent was very specific: "French door refrigerators."
But most would have been happy with any ol' fridge. "We're finding whatever spec is available," said a respondent. "Need to order well in advance and be flexible," advised another.
But the list of shortages was not limited to kitchen appliances. Tile products were a problem for one respondent: "We are having to respecify to domestic manufacturers."
Cabinets were also cited by several repondents. "Unfortunately, playing the waiting game," said a cabinetless respondent.
Another pleaded, "Trying to get locally sourced cabinets, made in the USA." Yet another said, "Diversifying [cabinet] suppliers."
WIDE RANGE OF K+B PRODUCTS STILL MISSING
Other amenities lost in the black hole of the supply chain:
- Vented fans with LED lights
- Porcelain tile
- Faucets
- Stone
- Electrical fixtures
- Plumbing fixtures
- Shower surrounds
- Fiberglass shower units
- Quartz countertops
- Solid surface materials for compartments
- Lighting
- Flooring
The last word on "solving" the K+B amenity shortage problem: "Order way in advance," advised one respondent.
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER FOR $50 GIFT CARD
The survey will close Friday, Oct 7, 2022 at 11:59pm CT, so take the survey now to be eligible for one of 10 $50 gift cards.
(Note: If you've already completed the survey there is no need to repeat it: You are entered in the drawing.)
To take the survey – with a chance to win one of 10 $50 debit cards – go to MFDC K+B Survey. To be qualified to participate, your company must be actively involved in multifamily design, development, or construction, and you must give your name, company name, and email at the end of the survey.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 100 Apartment and Condominium Construction Firms for 2023
Clark Group, Suffolk Construction, Summit Contracting Group, and McShane Companies top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest apartment building and condominium general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 70 Apartment and Condominium Engineering Firms for 2023
Kimley-Horn, WSP, Tetra Tech, and Thornton Tomasetti head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest apartment building and condominium engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 160 Apartment and Condominium Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, Humphreys and Partners, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, and AO top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest apartment building and condominium architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 40 Student Housing Construction Firms for 2023
Findorff, Juneau Construction, JE Dunn Construction, and Weitz Company top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest student housing facility general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 30 Student Housing Engineering Firms for 2023
Kimley-Horn, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, KPFF Consulting Engineers, and Olsson head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest student housing facility engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 90 Student Housing Architecture Firms for 2023
Niles Bolton Associates, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, BKV Group, and Humphreys and Partners Architects top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest student housing facility architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
MFPRO+ News | Dec 18, 2023
Berkeley, Calif., raises building height limits in downtown area
Facing a severe housing shortage, the City of Berkeley, Calif., increased the height limits on residential buildings to 12 stories in the area close to the University of California campus.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Dec 13, 2023
Mind the Gap
Incorporating temporary expansion joints on larger construction projects can help avoid serious consequences. Here's why and how.
Giants 400 | Dec 12, 2023
Top 35 Military Facility Construction Firms for 2023
Hensel Phelps, DPR Construction, Walsh Group, and Whiting-Turner top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest military facility general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 12, 2023
Top 50 Military Facility Engineering Firms for 2023
Jacobs, Burns & McDonnell, WSP, and AECOM head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest military facility engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
