How tariffs could impact home and garden projects this summer

Whether tariffs will make refreshing the backyard or building an addition to your home cost more remains unclear.

So far, supply has remained steady, according to Chris Seavey, manager of Aubuchon Ace Hardware in Old Town. However, Seavey said it’s too early to see what prices may look like in a few months.

“We haven’t seen any major jumps in prices, but you know the way things are going, that’s up in the air,” Seavey said.

Some businesses, like Sprague’s Nursery and Garden Center in Bangor, planned ahead for the tariffs.

General manager Melissa Higgins said the nursery bolstered the variety of plants it grows in house to keep volatility down.

“We’ve got 15 big greenhouses, and that has allowed us to really kind of keep most of our pricing the same this year,” Higgins said.

She added that Sprague’s sources most of its plants locally, eliminating many transport and tariffs costs other garden stores face.

To avoid tariffs, Higgins explained, many suppliers stocked their warehouses full of supplies. However, once those reserves dwindle, tariffs, if enacted, could raise prices.

“Most everybody had already had their inventory stocked for the season prior to any tariffs interacting,” Higgins said. “I would say for spring sales things look OK how that goes. Later on, we won’t really know.”

Uncertainty for when tariffs will begin and what products will be impacted leads Seavey to encourage planning, if not buying, ahead of a summer project.

“If it’s something important and you want to get it done early, might be a good time to come in and get it done before, if, and when anything happens to the supply and to the price,” Seavey said.

However, not everyone believes prices on supplies will be a problem.

Mark Gray, a fourth-generation millwright and owner of Owen Gray & Son in Brewer, believes the bulk of home renovation sticker shock will come from labor costs.

“Labor rates are up; trades are diminished. We don’t have enough tradesmen,” Gray said. 

He believes finding a craftsman that is available and in budget will be what causes many homeowners to skip out on renovations.

Taking the DIY approach offers a way to cut back labor costs. But before starting, Gray recommends taking stock of one’s own skill.

“Don’t go up past your comfort zone,” Gray said. “You might end up paying more to have a tradesman bring you back where you need to be.”

For those embarking on a do-it-yourself journey, Gray pointed to YouTube as a great place to start. However, when questions inevitably arise, he does recommend consulting a professional.

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