The beginning of 2025 started strong for roofing contractors. A majority of them had already implemented or had strong plans to use cutting-edge technologies in their respective roofing workflows. Just when the industry was so optimistic about the annual commercial sales growth, there was a sudden blip on the radar.
A blip that challenges the roofing industry but also brings opportunities and benefits to the country at large.
This stirred up the entire roofing industry, putting the roofers, roofing manufacturers, general contractors, and subs in a challenging spot.
Reason?
The old administration’s trade policy is expected to be revised, and a new metal tariff has been proposed. This revised metal tariff is made by the new administration, that brings changes to the cost and availability of aluminum and steel, which are two key components in metal roofing.
These adjustments follow the Trump-era Section 232 tariffs, which imposed 25% duties on steel and 10% on aluminum imports.
These changes will require roofing manufacturers and contractors to rethink their strategies, adapt to the fluctuating prices, and explore new supply chain solutions.
While it may seem pretty challenging at first, it also presents a massive opportunity to all the domestic roofing manufacturers and suppliers, build a more resilient and locally driven roofing industry.
As a roofing contractor, how will this affect your business? Read on!
With steel and aluminum prices set to rise by 25%, roofing contractors might face increased material costs, making budgeting more challenging.
A shift in the supply chain dynamics is expected, leading to longer procurement times. While 21% of roofing contractors reported material shortages, and 42% faced material costs issues, policies like these will open doors for domestic manufacturing growth.
With a shift towards promoting materials from the local market and the increasing demand of American-made materials, there might be a temporary supply constraint and price fluctuation.
Open and clear communication builds trust. Be upfront about the policy changes and cost shifts and inform the project timelines clearly. It’s a shared challenge that you and your client might have to sail through.
Quickly diversify your supplier network. Relying on a single source might leave you waiting forever and having back up options always works best. Educate your clients and talk about the cost-effective alternatives such as hybrid systems, recycled materials, and non-metal roofing materials like synthetic shingles and reinforced PVC.
Stay in touch with your vendors so you always have the inventory ready when you need it. Plan your projects and order the roofing materials ahead to avoid any delays at the last minute as the supply chain might tighten due to increased demand.
Adjust your bids to reflect market changes without being too pricey. Check your peers and competitors on the bidding rates and bid accordingly. Include phased plans or financing options to help your clients manage costs. Go for long-terms deals and lock in contracts immediately as it might save you money on materials for the metal roofs.
Keep yourself informed about the trade policies, latest shifts, and tariff updates. Collaborate and stay connected with the industry folks. Enroll yourself in associations like NRCA to be prepared for what’s ahead. Check grants and rebates, that support ‘Made in America’ construction materials.
While this move might bring a lot of adjustments, it also sparks new ideas, strength, and growth for the roofing contractors and the country’s economic growth. The agenda for “Made in USA” drives the domestic metal roofing manufacturers and suppliers, expand their capacity, and invest in new technologies.
If done right, it will be a promising avenue to add significantly to the economy, while bridging the gap between roofing material suppliers and roofing contractors. This shift could lead to better-quality materials, reduced dependency on foreign imports, and add potential tax incentives for contractors using American-made products.
No doubt these are certainly challenging times for the metal roof industry and roofing contractors. Rising costs, lags in the supply chain, and some changes in the trade policies might feel overwhelming, but it is also a time to make smart moves and quickly adapt to the new opportunities it brings along.
To turn this policy shift into a win-win for all, roofing contractors just need to stay informed, competitive, adaptable and focused on being profitable.
At KYRO, we help you manage projects and budgets, digitize workflows, and seamlessly connect the office and the field workers. The easy-to-use UI and quick onboarding makes it super easy for anyone to use the app on the go. With customizable digital forms, real-time data and detailed dashboards, it’s an incredible platform for roofers and roofing contractors to keep track of their projects accurately without missing a beat.