Construction Material Price Increases As Of March 14, 2025
Construction Material Prices Rise Amid Tariff Uncertainty - What Redditors Have To Say
As of mid-March 2025, construction material prices are seeing uneven increases across various suppliers, with tariffs playing a significant role in the shifts. Some suppliers are preemptively raising prices in anticipation of new tariffs, while others are holding off until the full effects take place.
Key Materials Affected
Flooring: Shaw flooring, including carpet and hard surfaces, has increased by 14%, despite being manufactured in the U.S. Reddit user u/Theycallmegurb reported, “Shaw flooring is going up 14%—that’s carpet and hard surface. All made in the USA.”
Paint & Supplies: Regional paint manufacturers have raised prices across the board on paint, brushes, masking tape, and caulking. Some believe this is justified by market conditions, while others argue it's opportunistic. According to u/Historical_Method_41, “Corporations will use any and all excuses to feed their greed. The tariff talk is just another excuse.”
Appliances & Fixtures: Washing machine tariffs from 2018 set a precedent for price increases on appliances. Similar trends are now being observed with fixtures and tile. User u/FinnTheDogg shared, “Appliances, fixtures, and tile are the big ones.”
Lumber & Fasteners: Framing materials are seeing price hikes, and suppliers expect a sharp increase in fasteners and hangers as steel tariffs take effect. As u/mydogisalab warned, “Some framing material increases, but I was just speaking with my lumber rep yesterday & she is expecting drastic increases when the steel tariffs take hold in relation to fasteners, hangers, etc.”
Shower Doors & Glass: In the Portland, Oregon metro area, shower door glass prices have jumped by 15-20% in just the past month. However, some glass shops in other regions report no price increases yet. User u/MonsieurBon noted, “A specific door from the same place that I hoped to order earlier—I'm finally getting around to ordering, and it's about 20% more.”
Fencing: Cedar fencing suppliers are struggling with price volatility, only able to lock in pricing for a week due to uncertainty in Canadian lumber imports. According to u/Illustrious-Rate4428, “My fence supplier said he can only lock in prices for a week on cedar fencing as it’s coming from Canada and there’s too much uncertainty.”
Why Prices Are Rising Now
While tariffs are a major factor, some businesses are using the uncertainty as a reason to raise prices preemptively. Many in the industry are frustrated by this trend. User u/Historical_Method_41 questioned, “So why would prices rise today for a tariff placed on steel that hasn’t even been delivered to the manufacturer yet? Sounds like you don’t understand how futures work.”
Others argue that price hikes are a natural part of how businesses operate. As u/mydogisalab explained, “When crude oil increases in cost, gas prices rise even though the gas sitting under the station was refined with cheaper crude. When Canadian lumber increases, domestic suppliers will increase their prices as well. That’s just how it works.”
Looking Ahead
The consensus among industry professionals is that more price increases are on the horizon. Some expect tariffs to significantly impact steel-related products, while others suggest that general market uncertainty will drive costs up across the board. Contractors and suppliers alike are keeping a close eye on commodities and futures markets to navigate these changes.
Disclaimer: This article is based on anecdotal reports from Reddit's contractor community and should not be considered definitive market analysis. Readers are encouraged to verify pricing trends through multiple sources before making financial decisions.