hinking of renovating your home or finally finishing that basement? Maybe you’ve heard some talks about tariffs and wondered – will that make my project more expensive? With the fluctuating economic headlines every week, it would be easy to become overwhelmed. But as far as how tariffs would play into your home renovation or basement finishing plans, here’s a quick summary with some important takeaways.
Let’s take a closer look at what is happening and how this may affect your renovation budget.
What’s the Deal with the Tariffs?
In the last several years, largely starting with U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, there has been a back-and-forth trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada. After that, in retaliation, Canada set up a series of tariffs against U.S.-produced goods. The tensions have disappeared since then, but the effects are still being felt all around, especially in fields such as construction and renovation.
While many tariffs were lifted partially or completely, effects are still felt. According to the Government of Canada, other nearby U.S. items that would have been subject to their countermeasures included exports from steel to household appliances. Such tariffs raise the cost of getting imported materials and supplies into the economy, thereby directly affecting sectors such as home improvement that rely on them.
CFIB-the Canadian Federation of Independent Business revealed that some of these small businesses have had some shock from these changes and also have experienced some price spikes and delays in receiving goods. If you are working with contractors or doing it yourself with help from the local hardware store, chances are that these disruptions have found their way into your renovation timeline and budget.
These events come after the Mexican government forbade the importation of used clothing – a ban that has existed since the 1970s.
How Tariffs Could Affect Basement Finishing and Home Renovations
When planning a renovation, the decision regarding materials is important. Most finish basements are assembled from lumber, drywall, steel, insulation, fixtures, tools, and even cabinetry, often supplied by North American manufacturers. This is why some of the prices might increase due to tariffs on these goods or some other reason can make a project come down the road far exceeding most budgets.
A lot of raw and semi-processed materials are used in basement finishing: metal studs, insulation, electrical wiring, plumbing components, drywall. Each of these could be subject to higher costs if they are imported or, for that matter, if they are manufactured locally but utilize imported inputs.
Interestingly, while some Canadian suppliers benefited in the short run as a result of less competition from U.S. products, the input costs for those very suppliers began to climb. Those increases have to be passed down somewhere to the end buyer. The result? Homeowners may find their renovation quotes creeping up or, even worse, delays as contractors wait for more affordable or available materials.
Should You Hit Pause on Your Renovation?
The answer to this question is a short “no.” Tariffs may dictate on the cost of renovation items, but the market eventually makes provision for them. Suppliers will obtain alternate sources of supply, and in cases where it is highly rigid, many imports from the U.S. will be increasingly replaced by home-grown, Canadian-made products.
For example, if you’re going to finish an upstairs basement or undertake a bigger home improvement project, the point is to work closely with your contractor. Ask them from where their materials have come, whether they’ve found much difference in prices, and what they’ve come across in possible future supply problems. It might just be that sometimes the local suppliers or alternative materials are able to balance out the tariffs despite some increases in their prices.
Don’t forget to factor in the timing. As usual, the renovation tends to be pricier during the peak season and if the dates are flexible, it may be possible to save by landing jobs in the off-peak months. Combine this with local sourcing of the materials in question and you might escape most tariff-born price hikes.
Final Thoughts
The interaction of tariffs upon home remodeling and basement finishing is just an example among many in a much bigger picture. Tariffs can easily raise the cost of a few of the materials involved, but they need not really play a big role in delaying or stopping any project.
With some forethought on your side, open communication with your contractor, and just a bit of flexibility, you can preserve your budget. With the ever-changing landscape of the construction world, Canadian homeowners are now showing their dedication in figuring out a way to make their dream spaces a reality regardless of the existence of tariffs.
Will the tariffs affect your renovation or basement finishing? Maybe, but not to the extent you might think.
