LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – New tariffs on imported materials are already starting to impact Las Vegas contractors – especially those who rely on overseas products.
Valley contractor, Todd Barnes, explained the construction industry in Las Vegas is already experiencing the ripple effects of these tariffs. Rising material costs and supply chain uncertainties are causing delays and budget overruns on projects ranging from residential homes to commercial developments.
“Even five or 10% on every item ends up costing the customer in the end,” Barnes said.
Barnes said materials like copper and plumbing supplies are already up by 10% – and the prefab showers he uses are imported from overseas meaning they’re not only harder to get but now more expensive too.
“So it does put us in a predicament for jobs that we have pre-bid, and you know had a certain cost, we try to communicate with the customer but a lot of times we do end up just incurring the extra cost,” Barnes explained.
Meanwhile, some suppliers like Lana Green, importer of waterproof wall panels from Norway, says it’s the instability that is making the most impact. Despite Thursday’s meeting between President Trump and the Norwegian prime minister she said she’s already seeing the effects on her business.
“We are slowing down a little bit because people are just hesitant and just are waiting to see what’s going to happen,” Green said.
Green said her company is working to absorb some of the added cost – but uncertainty makes it tough to plan ahead.
“Basically, as a small business owner, my main concern is the instability that just not knowing… there’s tariffs today, there’s a 90-day hold, what we would like to see is everything level off,” Green said.
For now, both suppliers and builders say they’re adapting day by day – trying to keep their businesses afloat and navigate the evolving global trade landscape.
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