If you’ve been thinking about replacing your roof, upgrading your siding, or tackling any major exterior renovation project in 2025 — you’re not imagining things. Prices have gone up. And it’s not just inflation or labor shortages driving the spike.
Behind the scenes, global trade tensions, shifting agreements like NAFTA renegotiations, and aggressive import taxes are sending shockwaves through the construction industry. For homeowners in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine, this means materials are harder to get — and significantly more expensive when you do find them.
Let’s break down what’s going on, what it means for your next home project, and how to protect your budget in the face of these changes.
The Hidden Cost Behind Every Nail and Shingle
Tariffs are taxes imposed on goods coming into the U.S. from other countries. In 2025, a sweeping set of tariffs — nicknamed the “Liberation Day” tariffs — was rolled out, applying a universal 10% fee on all imports and additional targeted hikes (up to 54%) on Chinese materials. Steel and aluminum now carry a flat 25% tariff, with no exemptions for countries like Canada or Mexico.
Why does that matter? Because the backbone of home construction — roofing nails, steel drippage, aluminum flashing, metal trim, and even the reinforcement materials behind siding — are primarily imported. Very few of these items are manufactured at scale in the U.S., which means local suppliers and distributors are eating those costs… and passing them on to you.
A project that might have cost $25,000 in 2023 could now run you $30,000 or more, especially if metal elements are involved.
What’s Being Hit the Hardest?
Let’s break it down by material:
- Steel and Aluminum: Used in drip edge, vents, fasteners, flashing, and metal roofing. Nearly all of this comes from China or Canada — both hit with high import fees. Some distributors are reporting 20–40% increases in these categories.
- Nails and Fasteners: A small item, but with huge volume. These are largely produced overseas and now come with tariff-driven upcharges.
- Siding Accessories & Trim: While CertainTeed and similar companies manufacture a lot domestically, they rely on foreign-sourced raw metal materials for things like corner pieces, mounting blocks, and soffit vents.
- Lumber: Less of a tariff issue, but Canada’s supply has slowed due to softwood lumber disputes and climate-related disruptions. That pushes prices up due to demand bottlenecks.
- Fiberglass Insulation: Not immune. Some ingredients are sourced internationally, and tariffs combined with labor issues are making this essential product harder (and pricier) to get.
How This Impacts Your Roofing or Siding Project
You might be wondering: Can’t contractors just eat the cost? Or shop around?
Unfortunately, no. Distributors are adjusting pricing in real time based on tariff fluctuations and raw material availability. Contractors like us at Conde Roofing & Construction have to adapt quickly to keep projects moving.
We’ve seen some suppliers adjust pricing overnight. That’s why it’s more important than ever for homeowners to review contracts carefully. Many reputable contractors now include escalation clauses or tariff stipulations — meaning if tariffs suddenly spike mid-project, they can adjust pricing accordingly to cover material increases.
It’s not about sneaking in hidden fees — it’s about protecting both you and the contractor from financial whiplash caused by a volatile supply chain.
Are Prices Going to Keep Rising?
That depends on the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations.
While there’s hope for revised agreements under NAFTA successors or new trade deals with Asia, there’s no immediate relief in sight. In fact, many in the construction industry are preparing for tariffs to stick around — or even intensify — as global supply chains remain politically tense.
According to recent roofing industry reports, metal roofing is already seeing a 10–15% year-over-year jump, and certain siding accessories could go even higher before the end of the year.
What Can Homeowners Do?
If you’re planning to repair your roofing or siding, here are three smart steps to take:
1. Start Sooner Rather Than Later
Material costs are unlikely to drop anytime soon. If you’ve been considering a roof or siding upgrade, getting started before the next price hike could save you thousands.
2. Ask About Domestic Alternatives
Some suppliers are pivoting to U.S.-based or tariff-free sources. CertainTeed, for instance, produces many of its vinyl and composite siding products across manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada. While you may still see slight increases, these options tend to be more stable than fully imported materials.
3. Review Your Contract Closely
Be sure your contractor has clear language around tariffs and material pricing. At Conde Roofing, we’re upfront about potential fluctuations and work with our clients to create flexible, fair contracts that protect everyone involved.
The Silver Lining: Better Communication and Transparency
As frustrating as these pricing shifts are, they’re also ushering in a new era of transparency in the home improvement world.
Homeowners are asking more questions — and contractors are stepping up to provide better answers. Clearer breakdowns of labor vs. material costs, faster communication when pricing changes, and more adaptable project plans are quickly becoming the norm, not the exception.
That’s a good thing.
Because when we say we’re building your roof or siding system to last, we don’t just mean the materials. We mean the trust between us, too.
Ready to Plan Your Roofing or Siding Repair?
Before costs go up again?
At Conde Roofing & Construction, we know that navigating pricing, supply chain changes, and tariffs can be overwhelming. That’s why we keep our process simple, our communication clear, and our quotes honest.
We serve homeowners across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine with top-tier roofing and siding solutions designed to weather any storm — economic or otherwise.📞 Call 603-838-7663
📍 Based in Merrimack, NH
💻 Visit our contact page to schedule your estimate today.
