The housing/building market is in a slump just about everywhere.

This is the time of year everybody needs work done by contractors. Winter takes its toll and things need fixed. I hate to say it, but you should have contacted someone months ago. That way you would have been on the schedule for your build.

I was in the reconstructive masonry biz for some years. This was always the busiest time of year, due to winter taking its toll on chimneys making them fall apart. It was always fun for the boss to try to schedule work and not run into spreading the company to thin. Keep trying; someone needs to put food on their table.