Remodel or Regret: Why Now Is the Smartest Time to Renovate Your Home - Short Version

You ever stand in a Home Depot, pick up a 2x4, and wonder if it’s made of gold? I did. Seven bucks for a single stud. That same piece of lumber was three bucks a few years ago. What changed? One word: tariffs—and they’re about to go up again.

If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, updating that old bathroom, or adding on to your house, let me give it to you straight: Now is the time. And here’s why.

Tariffs: The Hidden Tax That Hits Homeowners

A tariff is a tax on imported goods—lumber, steel, cabinetry, tile, appliances—you name it. And when those materials cost more, your renovation costs more.

Case in point: softwood lumber from Canada, which makes up a huge chunk of what we use in the U.S. Right now it’s taxed at about 14.5%. The feds are considering raising it to 34.5%. That alone could add thousands to your framing, decking, or cabinetry. And that’s just lumber.

Steel and aluminum? Tariffs are holding at 25% and 10% respectively. Need a new garage door? Aluminum windows? Stainless appliances? They’re all more expensive because of these policies.

And don’t get me started on Chinese imports. Cabinets, fixtures, flooring—they’re looking at tariffs as high as 54%. It’s not just a line item; it’s built into every bid, every invoice, every material you touch.

What Happens When You Wait?

You pay more. Simple as that.

We’ve already seen it. A kitchen remodel that cost $50,000 in 2018 can run $70,000+ today. Wait another year, and it might be $80,000.

Contractors are seeing supplier letters saying, “Prices are going up next month due to new tariffs.” Some are including price escalation clauses just to keep up. This isn’t a scare tactic—it’s the real world of construction in 2025.

It’s Not Just Tariffs

Inflation is still nibbling at everything—labor, fuel, delivery fees. Energy prices are volatile. And if interest rates bump up again, your financing costs follow.

But here’s the upside: you still have leverage right now. Contractors have some breathing room since the real estate buying frenzy cooled off. They’re not desperate, but they’re quoting jobs more competitively. That won’t last if another flood of homeowners rushes to beat the next price hike.

Remodeling Adds Real Value

If you’re going to spend money on your home, do it in the places that count:

• Kitchens: The heart of the house. They carry strong ROI and real lifestyle value. New appliances are more efficient. Cabinetry makes or breaks function. You’ll enjoy it daily and see the value if you ever sell.

• Bathrooms: No one ever says, “I wish we hadn’t made our bathroom nicer.” Updated fixtures, better lighting, modern tile—it’s all comfort and resale gold.

• Energy Upgrades: Solar panels, heat pump HVAC systems, better insulation. These are the gifts that keep on giving. There are federal tax credits, local rebates, and utility savings baked in.

Don’t forget the simple stuff with high return: new garage doors, curb appeal, modern lighting. Small updates often make a big impact.

Beware of Waiting for Prices to Drop

Could prices drop? Sure. Anything’s possible. But will they? Not likely. Tariffs rarely go away. Material costs settle but tend to trend up, not down. Even if you save $2k in materials by waiting, what if labor rates go up? What if you can’t get a contractor for six months?

Mid-Century Remodel

Cost of waiting = cost of lost opportunity. You miss out on enjoying your improved home. You delay energy savings. You risk paying more when the floodgates open again.

Hire Smart, Hire Ethical

The only thing worse than a pricey remodel is a bad one. Do your homework. Ask for licenses, insurance, references. Get a detailed, written bid. Avoid shady low-ballers and anyone who says “we don’t need permits.”

A good contractor—like us—will walk you through your options, show you where to save, and tell you where not to skimp. We’ll lock in material prices when possible and help you beat the rush.

Bottom Line

You’ve got a window of opportunity. Tariffs are going up. Material prices are climbing. But right now, you can still get ahead of it.

Acting now means:

• Locking in prices before they spike again

• Choosing from contractors while they’re available

• Taking advantage of current rebates and tax credits

• Enjoying your new space sooner

• Avoiding regret a year from now when it all costs more

So if you’ve been on the fence, consider this your friendly push. Your future self—standing in that new kitchen, soaking in that fresh-tiled tub, watching the meter spin backward thanks to your solar panels—will thank you.

Let’s talk. We’re Smollen The Builder Inc., and we’re ready to help you build smarter, better, and on time. No nonsense, just solid work.

Call us at 415.271.0568 or visit smollenthebuilder.com to schedule your free consultation.

Remodel or regret. The choice is yours.