Get Ahead of Price Hikes

If it feels like you’re getting hit with a new supplier price increase every week, you’re not imagining it. And while most of us hoped post-COVID volatility was behind us, a new wave of tariffs is changing that outlook.

If you’re bidding or halfway through a job, this matters. Here’s what you need to know and what to do now.

The Materials Most at Risk

• Steel prices are up 15% to 25% since January. Rebar, structural, and mill product costs are all affected. Tariffs on Chinese and Mexican imports are adding pressure.

• Aluminum: Curtainwall, storefront, and window systems are up 8% to 10%. Imported aluminum products are expected to rise further if tariffs expand.

• Canadian lumber is seeing 10% to 15% price hikes in anticipation of new tariffs. Suppliers are already raising prices before those go into effect.

• Contractors are reporting weekly increases in copper pricing, impacting wire, conduit, and plumbing rough-ins.

• Piping, ductwork, panels, and HVAC systems may follow as tariffs and metal-based cost shifts ripple through supply chains.

In plain terms? If you're a sub bidding jobs 60–90 days out, these moves can kill your margin fast. If you're a GC, your bids just got riskier. And if you're on the finance side, forecasting just got fuzzier.

What You Can Do

1. Lock in pricing when you can, don’t assume today’s number will hold. If you can pre-purchase or negotiate pricing early, do it.

2. Review your contracts for escalation clauses, force majeure language, and tariff-related protections.

3. Know where your key inputs are coming from. If you're relying on imports, you need a backup plan now.

4. Watch supplier terms Some suppliers are using SPA clauses or language that lets them change pricing at time of shipment, not when you ordered.

5. Shorten your bid validity windows. Reduce risk by limiting your quote windows.

6. Over communicate with your partners.

Want to stay ahead of material price swings? Sign up for our free materials price tracker. We’ll send regular updates on the materials you care about, so you can make timely, informed decisions before prices shift.