Earlier this month, Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, and 10%tariffs on Chinese imports. How does this affect the construction/plumbing industry? A lot, actually.

Several things that go into building, remodeling, etc are imported into the US, from plastic pvc pipes to electrical fixtures. If these tariffs get implemented, these products will go up in price. Here are a few things from each country that would be affected.

Canada:
sawmill & wood products
iron & steel products
aluminum
veneer, plywood, and engineered wood products
hardware
construction machinery

Mexico:
major & small appliances
AC/heat & refrigeration products
switchgear & switchboards
iron & steel
wiring devices
energy wires & cables
plate work & fabricated structural products
electrical lighting
hardware

China:
major & small appliances
electric lighting
AC/heat & refrigeration products
saw blades & handtools
hardware
construction machinery
wiring devices

Ultimately, these could cause huge price increases for building and remodeling projects. It also could lead homeowners to postpone repairs around the house, which could potentially worsen overtime leading to urgent, costly damages.

Before it could get worse, it is a good idea to schedule repairs and maintenance now, before the tariffs take full effect. Always work with reputable contractors that will provide clear pricing and alternative solutions that meet everyone's budget. Don't hesitate to call us today to schedule a visit or get a quote!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year so far and sticking to their New Year's resolutions! Each year trends and fads come and go. Here are some of my home trend predictions for 2025.

1.) Tile - I feel that this year, more people will want to use colorful patterned tile for their kitchen. People will move away from the boring white tile walls. They will experiment with hand-painted tile for a bold accent or even a textured, patterned subway tile to go with their paint.

2.) Say goodbye to grey kitchens! Grey kitchens have been plastered all over the country but I feel many people are moving towards color for their kitchens. Here are some of the colors I think will be on the walls and cabinets this year: terracotta, deep green, sandy beige, warm greige, and dusty pink.

3.) Flooring - Brunette flooring will be huge this year from espresso and cinnamon to  dark cafe. These can range from warm medium browns to nearly black shades. Darker floors create a cozy, more intimate vibe in the home.
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4.) Contrast Trim - For many years, inside trim is always white or whatever color that matches the walls. I think this will become a very popular trend this year where you choose another color to paint all your door/window/wall trim that either pops out or compliments your wall colors. It also makes it where you can still have white walls but with a bit of an accent color!

What new trends do you think will emerge this year and what trends do you think will fall off? Please let us know! As always, we are always here to help make your home dreams become a reality. Just give us a call or email us and we can start the planning!!