The respondents in the 2005 study are offering fewer benefits than the 2002 respondents. The reasons can be varied but perhaps the biggest reason is the increased payroll costs, i.e., insurance. As one respondent stated, "Health care is going through the roof."
Another reason? Contractors aren't charging enough for their service. One respondent summed up how contractors can afford to pay qualified technicians. "Our industry doesn't pay enough to our good people because we don't charge enough."