STILL STRUGGLING: Gracemere-based builder Stephen O'Shea. Kelly Butterworth

WHILE Master Builders are spruiking great statistics for Central Queensland and experts are saying there are good times ahead, the region's local builders are yet to see the sun shining.

Stephen O'Shea from O'Shea Homes said while he is "sort of busy" for the next three months, business is undeniably slow.

"I've got a couple of houses in front of me... and I have got two more quotes in front of me," Mr O'Shea said.

"I am not finding it (the industry) that good."

With one house to build in Gracemere, one in Zilzie and a quote for one in Parkhurst, Mr O'Shea said it was impossible to pick which area was doing well at the moment.

"I'm based at Gracemere and this one (house) at Gracemere is the first one I've had out here for ages - probably more than a year or so," he said.

"A couple of years ago the phone never stopped... and now the phone doesn't ring much at all to be honest."

Mr O'Shea said he is running on a skeleton staff and is definitely hoping things pick up sooner rather than later.

"The last six months have not been great, but now we have got a couple of houses to do, but the sooner it picks up the better," he said.

"It's pretty sad around town - a lot of people are struggling.

"We need the mines to kick in."