if demand drops it will not be an issue, simply because...

if demand drops it will not be an issue, simply because desperation will mean individuals would for once be eager to get 'work/jobs' which, in turn, will mean they'll have to start undercutting. Seriously, how much wage will they need to sacrifice to pass on some real savings to the buyers? The fact that they are starting from such an elevated base means that they can accommodate rather large falls in income before they'll ever consider getting a different job where they'll earn less than $25 an hour.

Supply and demand - ultimately the consumer sets the price, and to date, has been responsible for driving up demand beyond common sense and morality. And who could blame tradesmen for taking advantage of the situation and milking as much out of the industry as they can? The reason why any of us try to obtain as much as we can possibly can 'now' is that instinctively we never know what's around the economic corner - so it's make hay while the sun shines. Has the sun been extinguished for tradesmen, leaving them in darkness for a decade long winter? Thankfully foreign investors will continue to take up the slack - yay. Gotta love our politicians!