Tariffs Could Shake Building Industry: Homebuilders, Plumbing, Flooring Face Rising Costs

President Donald Trump is set to unveil a sweeping tariff plan — nicknamed “Liberation Day” — on Wednesday that could lift U.S. trade duties to levels not seen in decades, disrupting global supply chains and jolting financial markets already wary of geopolitical risk.

Ahead of the Trump administration’s April 2 reciprocal tariffs announcement, BofA Securities examines how building product companies could be impacted.

The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum products, including imports from Canada and Mexico. These tariffs took effect on March 4 but are paused until April 2 for goods and services that meet USMCA rules. Additionally, a 20% tariff applies to Chinese imports.

In a report on Tuesday, a BofA analyst says China tariffs are a headwind to Masco Corporation MAS and Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. FBIN, but positive for Whirlpool Corp WHR, due to less exposure versus its peers.

Mohawk Industries Inc MHK would benefit from tariffs on Europe (ceramics) and Vietnam (luxury vinyl tile or LVT). The tariffs for Mexico are a headwind for Whirlpool and Mohawk.

Homebuilders could face headwinds from Canadian lumber tariffs. Manufacturers have announced price hikes to offset the “dynamic trade policy,” but the analyst sees a risk that volumes could weaken in a difficult macro backdrop.

BofA analyst writes that U.S. tariffs on China will affect the plumbing industry, including fixtures, valves and rough plumbing.

While some plumbing products are made in China, many components come from other parts of Asia.

Fortune Brands has stated that 50%-60% of its material costs come from outside the U.S., with less than 25% from China. The company aims to reduce that to below 10% by 2025.

Meanwhile, Masco said the latest 10% tariff on Chinese imports could cost the company $45 million annually before any cost-cutting measures.

Rising lumber prices could cut into homebuilders’ profits, the analyst writes. Lumber costs are up 12% this year, and the impact may be felt in the next three to six months. While builders managed price swings in 2021-2022, strong demand increased home prices by about 40%. With weaker demand and more homes on the market, offsetting higher costs may be more difficult now.

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