Spring is a moment for many Canadian owners to finally start this renovation they hoped for. But this year, American president Donald Trump’s trade war could throw a key into certain renovation plans.
The fears of a recession and uncertainty concerning employment safety can weigh on Canadians who were providing residential renovation this year, as well as the costs of articles on the price and counter -level lists increase in price – not to mention the expectations that home insurance costs increase as repairs are more expensive.
Whether you tackle this major project now or wait, probably depends on your risk – and cost – tolerance.
“If you work in southern Ontario and you are connected to the automotive industry, you certainly do not think of making a renovation probably at this stage,” said Kevin Lee, CEO of the Home Builders Canadian Association.
However, he added that the conditions were ripe for someone who wanted to take the risk.
“Conversely, if you feel good enough and you feel safe enough, it is probably much easier to hire a renovator on these markets at the moment than it would normally be.”
Usually, spring is a period responsible for the year for renovators, and it can be difficult for owners to show someone right away. This year, Lee said that the owners could take advantage of the aisle on the market to their advantage.
“If you were thinking of a renovation, talk to a renovator. They are probably not so busy. They can probably happen to you more quickly.”
Lee told Global News that if the counterparts in the American construction industry were worried about Trump’s prices in Canada, renovators and Canadian construction companies were more worried about Canada’s counter-caricatures.
“We already have our phase one still in place. Some devices are tariffs from states,” he said.
What could cost more this year?
In March, Canada placed counter-triggers over 30 billion dollars of American goods in response to Trump’s 25% prices in Canada and its additional 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
THE First list of reprisals Includes a range of goods and materials that Canadians could use to renovate their homes this spring.
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This includes a wide range of ceramic, steel, aluminum and iron products.
Anyone who seeks to reshape the kitchen will have to take into account Canadian prices on stoves, ranges, grids, stoves, barbecues, brazers, gas rings, assiets and similar non-electric domestic devices and related iron or steel parts.
Even a simple painting of painting could cost more, with painting and related accessories on the list of counter-taarification goods in Canada. Other building materials such as wire, stems, tubes, plates, electrodes, hinges, supports, supports are also included.
Radiators for central heating and electric water heater in the United States will also end up costing more.
Trump’s own prices could have an impact
“Canada is a huge aluminum supplier in the United States, but a aluminum-covered window, which is a very common window type, could be manufactured (in the United States) that we bring back in Canada,” said Lee.
Canadian manufacturers of intermediate products depend on their business partners in the United States, he added.
“We have a good window manufacturing industry here, but we actually get most of our glass in the United States,” he said.
He added that for many Canadian markets, it is easier to obtain dry partitions from 100 km across the border, which sent it 3,000 km from across the country.
“In western Canada, there is a tendency to supplies more dry partitions from the United States (compared to Canadian dry partitions).”
What does it all mean for costs?
The Canada Insurance Office told Global News that they expect that home insurance costs increase because the cost of repairing and replacing components in a house will increase due to American rates.
“Home insurance can also be assigned due to the likely increase in the cost of the materials used to replace and repair houses,” a spokesperson for the Canada Insurance Office said in a statement.
The industries of the United States and Canadian construction, such as the automotive industries of the two countries, are very linked.
According to the Canadian House Manufacturers Association (CHBA), Canada imports around 3.5 billion dollars in glass and glass products, $ 3.1 billion in large household appliances, $ 2.2 billion in equipment and around $ 1 billion in ceramic tiles and United States products
While Canada exports more than $ 20 billion in steel and aluminum in the United States each year, it is also around $ 17 billion in steel and aluminum products.
Gilbert Moore is the CEO of Repairfind of the technological aggregator based in Vancouver, which connects the owners to entrepreneurs.
“Recent increases in the cost of the wire and certain electrical devices – increasing up to 25 to 30% – oblige entrepreneurs to adjust their initial estimates, potentially affecting their competitiveness,” he said.
“These price increases arise from disturbances and current prices of the supply chain, which continue to increase the costs of materials at all levels.”
Moore expects the overall cost of domestic renovations to increase between 15 and 25%.
“For small renovations, such as a bathroom, increases could be $ 2,500 to $ 5,000,” he said.