A new bill introduced in the House by Rep. Nanette Barragán, the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act (H.R. 10416), would create a tariff exemption process for building materials. With building material costs rising, tariffs further strain builder margins and ultimately lead to higher prices for buyers. “This bill would help relieve tariff-driven cost pressures on building materials, provide businesses with greater certainty and support broader efforts to improve housing affordability,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens. The Housing Tariff Exclusion Act would establish a Commerce Department process to request an exception and grant refunds…
Read MoreTag: tariffs
Industry prepares for new tariffs on Canadian goods
Announced in mid-July, a new 50% tariff on Canadian goods, including lumber, will go into effect on Aug. 19, 2026. That is, unless the two countries strike a different deal in a week. As first reported by North Country Public Radio (NCPR) in Canton, New York, a community close to the Canadian Border is preparing for the effects. James Putman, owner of JP Building Supply, which provides local homebuilders and contractors with building materials and lumber, noted that even though his business was doing well, he imports about a third…
Read MoreWhat new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods mean for contractors
President Trump announced additional tariffs of 50% on a variety of Canadian goods. This move will likely broadly affect the residential construction industry’s bottom line, already facing higher construction material costs throughout 2026. Canadian goods affected in this deal are lumber, including plywood and engineered wood products, cermets, plastic, rubber, furniture, among other items. The administration announced that this move is to hold Canada accountable for its continued discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of U.S. commerce. It will go into effect beginning August 19, 2026. “While contractors remain…
Read More