Why did the rates for handymen just go up in Arizona?

You know the good ol' handyman, the guy who is unlicensed but knows how to fix stuff and is allowed to sell his services for small jobs. He just raised his rates to almost double! And I called and called and he's not picking up and his wife finally picks up and he's too busy and can't come fix the holes in my drywall or my rusted gutters for at least 6 weeks. And she tells me he doubled his rates because suddenly all his competition is gone from the Home Depot parking lot.

So I call some of his references and this guy does lousy work and his customers are angry and he has to go back to do things over again, and some customers swear to me if they see him again they will shoot on sight, or beat him with a ball bat, but nobody else is available.

And now my gardener calls and tells me his price has gone up because he lost some workers and his competition disappeared and he has to pay more to hire guys who will stick around. So I run an ad for a lawn care person and a bunch of laid off white engineers and architects respond, because they can't find any work and I don't want to risk them having a heart attack on my property.

How have things changed in YOUR Arizona neighborhood? Is your lawn overgrown and your house needing repair?