Understanding the Impact of Tariffs in the Remodeling Industry
It seems everywhere you turn, people are talking about tariffs this or tariffs that. There is so much noise that it can be difficult for people to tell what is real and what is nonsense. This is especially true when it comes to Tariffs in the remodeling industry and the broader home improvement sector. If you are considering a home renovation project, it is natural to wonder how tariffs are affecting the remodeling industry and what impact they could have on you, the homeowner.
Let the experts at BST Design & Build help you cut through the noise. We are here to lay out the truth behind the hype.
The Real Effects of Tariffs in the Remodeling Industry
What Are Tariffs
Firstly, let’s get to the point and clearly lay out what tariffs are. Simply put, a tariff is a tax imposed by a country on another country’s imported goods. For example, say you want to upgrade your kitchen’s cabinets, but the lumber needed to complete this project comes from Canada. There is a tariff on importing that lumber into the United States, which will affect the cost you will pay for that lumber. The higher the tariff, the more money your kitchen remodeling project will cost you.
Many materials and products can cross borders multiple times during the manufacturing process. A tariff is imposed each time a product crosses a border. This keeps increasing the costs of these materials or goods.
Who Bears The Costs Of Increased Tariffs
While some of the costs of increased tariffs do hit the companies themselves, the majority of tariff costs go to YOU, the consumer. The purpose of any business is to make a profit. So when these companies see the prices of their goods and services increase, they pass the costs onto their customers.
Tariffs’ Effects on Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Materials
In today’s global economy, many of the products and goods we use come to us from different countries. Since many of the materials used in kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects come from different countries, it makes sense that costs and material availability are being affected by the ongoing trade wars and disagreements.
Different materials and goods are being affected differently, and the tariffs can directly impact the decisions you make when it comes to selecting the building materials and products for your home remodeling project.
Steel:
If you’ve been paying any attention to tariffs, you have probably heard people express their concerns over the tariffs on steel. As of early June, the tariff rate on steel imported into the United States was set to 50%. This is a major concern for many businesses and homeowners in the United States. Steel is a key component in many building and construction materials. For the home remodeling industry, steel can be found in some plumbing materials, appliances, and different types of fixtures.
Aluminum:
Like steel, aluminum is a popular metal used in construction. Aluminum is often more expensive than steel, and with its 50% tariff, aluminum has become an unaffordable option for some homeowners looking to begin a remodeling project.
Lumber:
Lumber, particularly softwood lumber, plays an important role in construction and remodeling. A good deal of the softwood lumber used in the United States actually comes from Canada. Which is why so many construction and home remodeling companies have been watching the back-and-forth tariff rates between the United States and Canada closely.
Appliances:
As of June 2025, many popular appliances manufactured outside of the United States have been subjected to 50% or higher tariffs. These appliances include: refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers. These high tariffs are related to the steel or aluminum used in most of these appliances.
Marble:
Marble, used for home furnishings like countertops, has also been affected by tariffs. The good news, that so far, the tariffs on marble have generally been lower than those on metals like steel and aluminum. The tariff rates for marble so far in 2025 have ranged between 10% to 34%, depending on the country the marble is imported from.
Copper:
Copper is a valuable metal and is often used in plumbing systems and other household fixtures. While copper isn’t always the cheapest option, it does have the benefit of being one of the few metals used in home remodeling not currently being affected by tariffs. Making it an increasingly more affordable option for many homeowners.
Material and Product Availability Issues Caused By Tariffs
While the increased costs caused by tariffs are naturally a top concern for everyone considering a home remodeling project, cost is just one part of the overall problem. Another issue you should be aware of is the availability of these building materials. There have been some major disruptions in the supply chain directly caused by some of the recent tariffs.
For example, if a company is being hit with a 50 to 100% tariff, that means they have to increase the price they sell their materials for by 50 to 100%. Consumers aren’t going to be willing to pay such prices. So, it becomes unfeasible for businesses to ship their products to the United States.
This, of course, leads to supply shortages for certain materials. When this happens, the demand for these materials increases. Thus, driving up the prices of these materials made or supplied in the United States. It quickly becomes a frustrating cycle, costing consumers more and more money.
All of these issues leave homeowners with two options. One, shell out more money than they had planned for their remodeling project. Two, prepare themselves for long wait times as it’s taking longer for materials to be imported into the United States. This second option can often lead to home remodeling projects taking longer than one might expect or desire.
How to Lessen the Impact Of Tariffs On Your Home Remodeling Project
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners are making with their home remodeling projects currently is trying to handle things on their own. Your best bet when it comes to navigating tariffs and their impact on your home remodeling project is to partner with a knowledgeable expert. BST Design and Build has a team of skilled home remodeling experts who have been paying close attention to the ongoing tariff issues.
Our team will be able to advise you on your best options and help you make the right decisions for your project. We will do everything we can to help you achieve the home of your dreams without compromising or breaking the bank.
