Survey paints ugly picture for builders

A survey conducted by an executive search firm headquartered in Sarasota shows that the ghosts of the housing crash are still haunting U.S. homebuilders.

The most recent State of the Industry Building Materials Report, which polled more than 30,000 building industry professionals, revealed that many of the respondents are underwhelmed by the performance of their firms in 2011. A majority of the respondents said revenues were up from 2010 but below what they expected.

Housing starts have been shaky, so banks are practicing policies of scarce lending. Less credit means less opportunity for growth.