Is multifamily construction dead? Especially in the Southeast?
Or, generally: “How’s the market?” Everyone at least asks us this.
Truth is, we recruiters have one very limited perspective that can really only answer that question regarding a few different geographies in a very niche space. Additionally, we are both the first and last to get the news.
We are the FIRST to get the news in the sense that we can tell you the ACTUAL TRENDS, most likely before the data confirms it. If there was hiring in a certain sector, we’re going to feel it before projects start.
BUT, we are the last to get the news in the sense that on a micro level, each developer knows what is going to work for them. Then the architects know. Then the GCs know. Finally, we hear: “We’re not going to be as focused on multifamily hiring like last year.”
So, take what we say with a grain of salt.
In terms of what we’re continuing to see in multifamily construction, here it is:
-Affordable housing builds never stopped.
-The demand for traveling Multifamily Supers is still fairly good, but the pay is not as aggressive. That is: pay has gone up, but stabilized. Companies are not throwing money around the same way to get a starter.
-The “luxury” apartments with fantastic amenities – not much there. (A LOT came available especially in 2025, so we’ll see what happens).
-Exciting projects have been pushed back, pushed back.
What candidates want to know: the pay has not climbed so quickly as years before. Companies might be asking more of you, too (more travel, longer hours, less exciting projects, etc.)
What hiring teams want to know: finding a solid candidate (PM, Super, or Estimator) in the multifamily space doing the work you want them to do in the geographies you want them to do it for numbers that make sense – weactually think this is a bit harder than it was a couple years ago.
TLDR: multifamily is not dead, it’s just different.