2025 Remodeling Costs in Portland: How Tariffs Will Impact Your Project Budget

Joseph Patrick
Published: May 13, 2025 | Updated: June 24, 2025
Costs Materials

Tariffs have created uncertainty this year, and we know you're wondering: "How will this affect my remodel costs?"

As a design-build firm, we see material prices daily. We talk with Portland homeowners every day about remodel budgets and what drives those costs up or down.

Here's what tariffs actually mean for your home remodeling project.

Key Takeaways: 

  • New tariffs in 2025 could increase home remodeling costs by 1-3.5% on average.

  • Products most affected by 2025 tariffs: appliances, electrical fixtures, and imported cabinets.

  • Some Portland homeowners may benefit from regional suppliers with lower tariff exposure.

  • Now may still be a smart time to remodel, depending on interest rates and supplier access.

 

Timeline infographic summarizing key 2025 U.S. tariff updates affecting home remodeling materials

We're not going to cover the legal battles over the tariffs - after all, we're not a news source, we're a home remodeling company. But, here are some of the recent updates that could impact your remodel: 

  • June 23rd - a 50% tariff on steel will impact home appliances. If remodeling a kitchen, consider keeping existing appliances, or finding products not impacted by tariffs. 
  •  For now, tariffs are not driving up inflation across the board, but some categories like "furniture and audio equipment" have gone up, according to The New York Times. So while remodeling your living space may not be significantly more expensive, furnishing the space with imported goods will be. 

Because we work with Pacific Northwest suppliers, many of our materials face fewer overseas tariffs—especially compared to national chain remodelers.

If you're concerned about the cost of your home remodel get a baseline with one of our cost calculators, or reach out to our team to learn more about how your specific project might be affected by these trade developments.


 

What Remodeling Materials are Affected by 2025 Tariffs?

The materials most impacted by tariffs are those imported from China, Canada, and Mexico, which have the highest tariffs placed on their goods, with the following products experiencing the largest price increases: 

  • Appliances - as mentioned above, the steel tariff will impact these products
  • Plumbing and electrical fixtures
  • Cabinet hardware (hinges, pulls)
  • Imported adhesives, sealants, fasteners
  • OSB and drywall

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we're not predicting price increases in: 

  • Framing lumber (Douglas Fir)
  • Concrete
  • Siding
  • American-made finishes and materials

The type of remodel you're considering, and the materials used for that project, will have the biggest impact on the final cost of your remodel. To explore this a bit further, we dove into three different projects to explain how tariffs will impact total project cost.

We put together a video walkthrough of all this information if you'd prefer to watch instead of read. Otherwise, scroll down for specific project examples.

 

 

 

How Much Will Tariffs Increase Remodeling Costs in Portland?

We've examined three recent projects to quantify the exact tariff impact. We looked at which products would likely be impacted by tariffs, and then did the math based on 10%, 25% and 50% tariffs to calculate how much more the project might cost. 

Case Study 1: Kitchen Remodel

This kitchen remodel included removing a wall, installing new flooring throughout, and completely remodeling the kitchen. 

Total project budget: $230,000

Tariff-sensitive items: $16,914 (7% of total budget)

Potential tariff impact:

  • 10% tariff: +$1,600 (0.7% of total budget)
  • 25% tariff: +$4,000 (1.7% of total budget)
  • 50% tariff: +$8,000 (3.5% of total budget)

Case Study 2: Basement Remodel

This basement remodel required digging out the space beneath the home to increase the ceiling height, pouring a new concrete foundation, and completely finishing the space. 

Total project budget: $326,000

Tariff-sensitive materials: $8,891 (2.7% of total budget)

Potential tariff impact:

  • 10% tariff: +$889 (0.3% of total budget)
  • 25% tariff: +$2,223 (0.7% of total budget)
  • 50% tariff: +$4,446 (1.4% of total budget)

Case Study 3: Main Floor Addition

The goal of this home addition was to increase the amount of livable space of the home, including an additional bathroom. The main cost of the project will be building materials like siding, windows, and concrete. 

Total project budget: $350,000

Tariff-sensitive materials: $16,000 (4.6% of total budget)

Potential tariff impact:

  • 10% tariff: +$1,600 (0.5% of total budget)
  • 25% tariff: +$4,000 (1.1% of total budget)
  • 50% tariff: +$8,000 (2.3% of total budget)

Should You Delay Your Remodel Because of Tariffs?

The honest answer: probably not. Here's why.

Tariffs aren't going away soon. Based on current policy, expect them to stay in place for at least the next three years. They could decrease, but they're just as likely to increase.

Waiting might cost you more. We're already seeing early signs of inflation. As tariffs work through the supply chain over the next 6-12 months, material costs will likely rise further.

Your family's needs matter most. A dysfunctional kitchen costs you daily frustration and potentially home value.

Expert Advice for Navigating Rising Material Costs in 2025

When deciding whether to delay your project, it's important to consider several additional factors beyond just the tariff impact:

1. The Cost of Waiting

Historically, construction costs have increased by 3-5% annually regardless of tariffs. Delaying your project by a year could mean facing higher labor costs and potential material price increases that exceed the tariff impact. In the Pacific Northwest specifically, our tight labor market continues to drive construction costs upward.

2. Interest Rate Considerations

If you're financing your remodel, current interest rates should factor into your decision. While rates have stabilized recently, they remain unpredictable. Securing financing now might be more advantageous than waiting for potential material savings that may never materialize.

3. Regional Supply Chain Advantages

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we benefit from strong domestic supply chains for key materials like Douglas Fir lumber, locally-produced concrete, and regional manufacturing. Many of our vendors have already diversified their supply chains in response to earlier tariff waves, providing some insulation from the most severe price impacts.

4. Balancing Budget and Timeline

For time-sensitive renovations (like preparing your home for a new family member or addressing structural issues), the value of completing your project on schedule likely outweighs the modest cost increases from tariffs. However, purely discretionary projects with flexible timelines might benefit from strategic scheduling.

5. Working with Experienced Professionals

Our analysis shows that the design phase provides the greatest opportunity to mitigate tariff impacts. Partnering with a design-build firm that understands both the aesthetic and cost implications of material selections can help you navigate these challenges without compromising your vision.

The bottom line: For most homeowners, the relatively minor impact of tariffs (typically 0.5-3.5% of total project cost) doesn't justify postponing necessary or desired renovations, especially when weighed against ongoing inflation, rising labor costs, and the tangible benefits of enjoying your improved living space sooner rather than later.

How Can You Mitigate the Impact of Tariffs on Your Remodeling Project?

As a design-build firm, our integrated approach means we can make smart design choices that help offset tariff impacts through every phase of your project:

  • Expert material selection - Years of experience in the home remodeling industry gives us comprehensive knowledge of which materials deliver the best value
  • Design flexibility - When tariffs affect a particular product, our designers can quickly pivot to comparable alternatives that aren't impacted
  • Streamlined process - By handling both design and construction, we eliminate the inefficiencies that often lead to costly changes

As a leading Design Build firm in Portland, Oregon we've helped thousands of homeowners remodel their homes.

If you have questions about how tariffs will impact your remodel, reach out to our team. We'd be happy to discuss your remodel and the implications tariffs have on your project's cost. 

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