💰How Tariffs Could Impact Your Home Improvement Budget (and What to Do About It)

This Week’s Handy Homeowner Newsletter 🏡💡

This week, we're diving into smart ways to save money, stay on top of maintenance, and answer one of your top homeowner questions.

The Maintenance Minute: A quick checklist to keep your home in tip-top shape, including tasks like flushing your water heater, cleaning hood range filters, and checking for moisture around your windows.

Tariff Talk: Curious how tariffs could affect your next home improvement project? We break down the costs, materials, and what you can do to save money.

Q&A Spotlight: “How much more expensive will my project be because of tariffs?” We’ve got the answer, along with tips to budget smarter.

Let’s get started and tackle this week like the pros we are! 🛠️💪

Maintenance Minute

Where Small Fixes Make a Big Difference!
This Weeks 5 Minute Focus

• Flush Your Water Heater: Extend your water heater’s life and improve efficiency by draining out built-up sediment. See the YouTube video below👇🏼

• Clean Hood Range Filters: Degrease those range hood filters to keep your kitchen fresh and your ventilation working like a charm.

• Run Ice Through Garbage Disposal: Sharpen the blades and clear out gunk by running a handful of ice cubes through the garbage disposal.

• Rotate Your Mattress: Keep your mattress in top shape by rotating it to ensure even wear and a better night’s sleep.

• Check Windows for Moisture or Ice Build-Up: Spot moisture or frost on windows? Lower the humidity in your home to prevent mold and improve energy efficiency.

Pro Tip: Add a few drops of lemon juice to the ice before running it through your garbage disposal—it helps deodorize while sharpening the blades!

What’s a Tariff, and Why Should You Care?

If you've been to the hardware store lately and felt like your wallet took a direct hit, you're not alone. Prices on everything from lumber to appliances seem to be creeping up, and there’s a reason behind it: tariffs.

While most people hear about tariffs in the news and think it's just political chatter, these trade policies can have a very real impact on your home improvement budget.

Let’s break it down and, more importantly, talk about what you can do to keep your costs under control.

A tariff is basically a tax on imported goods. When the government places a tariff on materials like steel, aluminum, or lumber, the companies importing those products have to pay more. And guess what? They pass that cost down to consumers—meaning you. That means everything from the nails in your deck to the cabinets in your kitchen could see a price hike.

Where You’ll Feel the Pinch

Certain materials used in home improvement are particularly vulnerable to tariff increases. Here’s where you might see an impact:

• Lumber & Plywood – If you’re planning a deck, fence, or home addition, brace yourself. Lumber tariffs can cause prices to surge, as we saw a couple of years ago when a mix of tariffs and supply chain issues sent costs skyrocketing.

• Steel & Aluminum – Thinking about a new roof, appliances, or metal fixtures? Tariffs on steel and aluminum can drive up costs on everything from garage doors to refrigerators.

• Flooring & Tile – Many flooring materials and ceramic tiles are imported. If tariffs increase on these products, your dream kitchen backsplash might cost more than expected.

• Electrical Components & Smart Home Tech – Many electronics and electrical components used in home automation and renovation come from overseas, and tariffs can drive up those costs, too.

How to Keep Your Home Improvement Costs Under Control

The good news? You’re not powerless here. There are smart ways to work around tariff-driven price hikes and still get your home improvement projects done on budget.

1. Buy in Bulk When Prices Are Low

If you have a big project coming up, consider buying materials ahead of time before prices rise further. Lumber, screws, nails, and even certain appliances can be stored until you’re ready to use them.

2. Shop Local & Look for Domestic Alternatives

Sometimes, buying materials that are made in the U.S. can save you from tariff-related price hikes. Check with local suppliers for materials that aren’t imported and compare costs.

3. Consider Alternative Materials

If hardwood flooring is getting too expensive, explore engineered wood or luxury vinyl plank options. Composite decking can be a good substitute if lumber costs are high.

4. Time Your Projects Wisely

If you can, hold off on big projects until prices stabilize. Some tariffs are temporary or can be adjusted based on trade agreements, so it might be worth waiting if your budget is tight.

5. Look for Sales & Overstock Deals

Big-box stores often discount last year’s models of appliances and fixtures. Check for clearance sales, or consider warehouse stores that sell overstock building materials.

Final Thoughts

While tariffs might seem like a far-off issue, they directly impact the cost of homeownership and DIY projects. The key is to stay informed and shop smart.

By planning ahead, considering alternative materials, and keeping an eye on price trends, you can keep your home improvement costs in check—no matter what’s happening on the global stage.

Check out this article. How Tariffs Impact The Home Building Industry.

So, before you start your next big project, do a little research, shop smart, and don’t let tariffs throw a wrench in your plans (or at least, not an overpriced wrench).

Q&A- How Much More Expensive Will My Home Improvement Project Be Because of Tariffs?

The short answer: It depends on what you're buying, but expect price increases anywhere from 10% to 40% on key materials.

The cost impact of tariffs varies based on the specific materials used in your project. Here’s a rough breakdown of how tariffs have affected home improvement costs in recent years:

Why Are Prices Going Up?

Tariffs are essentially import taxes placed on goods coming into the U.S. If those goods include materials like steel, aluminum, or wood, manufacturers and suppliers have to pay more—and they pass that cost down to you, the consumer.

For example, the U.S. has imposed tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, which significantly increased the cost of building materials for decks, framing, and renovations. Meanwhile, tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum have impacted the price of appliances, roofing materials, and even electrical wiring. Additionally, while tariffs on Mexican steel were lifted in 2019, there have been recent discussions about reinstating them, which could impact the cost of metal-heavy home improvements.

How to Minimize the Impact on Your Project

1. Buy in Bulk Before Prices Rise – If you know you’ll need lumber, flooring, or metal fixtures, purchasing ahead of time can save you money.

2. Consider Domestic Materials – While tariffs increase the cost of imports, U.S.-made products may be less affected (though they can still be impacted by general inflation).

3. Look for Alternative Materials – Instead of hardwood, try engineered wood. Instead of steel, look at composite or fiberglass alternatives.

4. Shop Sales & Overstock Deals – Many big-box stores discount excess stock, especially after major buying seasons.

5. Time Your Project Wisely – If tariffs are expected to change or drop, delaying a big project might help you avoid inflated prices.

Final Verdict

If your project heavily relies on imported materials, you could see a 20%-30% cost increase. However, with smart shopping, material alternatives, and strategic planning, you can minimize the impact and still complete your home improvement without breaking the bank.