In the world of home renovation and real estate, small shifts in policy can have big consequences. At Buffalo Brick & Mortar, we’re not just flipping houses — we’re navigating the broader economic landscape to keep our homes affordable and our business efficient. And right now, tariffs are back in the spotlight.
As of 2025, the U.S. has reintroduced or increased several tariffs that directly impact the construction and housing industry. Among them:
- 25% Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum – Driving up the costs of framing materials, structural reinforcements, fasteners, HVAC components, and appliances.
- Increased Tariffs on Canadian Softwood Lumber – A 14.5% tariff now applies, significantly raising the cost of framing, flooring, cabinetry, and trim.
- Across-the-Board Import Tariffs – A new 10% baseline tariff has been applied to most imported goods, affecting everything from nails to windows to bathroom vanities.
These changes don’t just affect builders and flippers. They impact every homeowner, every future buyer, and every person who hopes to renovate, maintain, or simply live comfortably in their home.
It’s easy to think tariffs are a problem for big construction companies. But the ripple effect is real — and fast.
- Planning to replace your furnace? Parts may now cost 20–30% more.
- Thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bathroom? Cabinet and countertop materials — many of which are imported — have seen major price hikes.
- Need a new refrigerator, stove, or washer? Most appliances are assembled in the U.S. but rely on foreign-made components, especially steel. Prices are rising — again.
And if you’re trying to save up for a repair, you may find that by the time you’re ready, the cost has already gone up — putting that fix just out of reach.
What was once a manageable maintenance budget can suddenly become a serious hardship. When your roof starts leaking, your water heater dies, or your porch starts to collapse — but now the cost to fix it is double what it used to be — the burden can quickly tip your home from asset to liability.
At Buffalo Brick & Mortar, we understand how stressful that can be. We’ve seen it time and time again — good people overwhelmed by unexpected costs in a home they thought they could handle. And now, with rising material and labor costs, those moments of pressure are arriving faster and hitting harder.
To avoid passing those cost increases onto buyers — and to keep our renovation pipeline moving — we’re taking a proactive approach:
- Bulk ordering materials now to beat future price hikes.
- Stockpiling key supplies like windows, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and appliances.
- Refining our project timelines to reduce downtime and avoid price fluctuation exposure.
But most importantly, we’re staying nimble — because we know the market doesn’t wait.
If you’re watching the cost of fixing your home spiral beyond your budget… if you’re tired of waiting to make repairs that keep getting more expensive… if your house is starting to feel like a ticking time bomb instead of a place of comfort — this might be the time to sell.
We’re not a big corporation, and we’re not trying to take your home out from under you. We’re here to offer a realistic solution, without judgment, when homeownership becomes more of a burden than a benefit.
We buy homes in any condition, with cash, and on your timeline. You walk away with money in your account and no more repairs to worry about — regardless of what the material prices look like next month.
Whether you’re a homeowner, a landlord, or just watching the market — tariffs are going to make everything more expensive in the home space. That includes renovations, appliances, repairs, and even emergency fixes. The best time to handle a costly repair was yesterday. The second-best time might be right now — before prices rise again.
If you’re stuck between a rock and a rotted foundation, we’re just a phone call away. Buffalo Brick & Mortar was built in this community, for this community — and we’ll be here to help no matter what’s going on in Washington or overseas.