There has been plenty of digital ink spilled on the subject, and while we don’t want to add yet another article to the growing chorus of “we don’t really know what’s going to happen”, we also know that informed decisions are smart decisions. When you’re planning a project as complicated and expensive as a new kitchen or bathroom, you want to feel sure in your investments and safe with your partners, and when things feel uncertain, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
So, we’re laying it out for you.
In this article, we’re going to go over many of the pieces that make up a Gateway renovation, from specific materials and labour costs, to outsourcing and purchasing. We’ll share how the tariffs and trade restrictions have affected us as a company, and everything you need to know about how the uncertainties of the current political climate might affect your project.
How have the Canadian tariffs affected Gateway?
In short, not very much so far. There are many reasons that are making it impossible to guess what might be coming, but we have seen only minimal cost increases and only in a few specific areas (we’ll get to those). Gateway has always been proud to be a local Winnipeg company, and we’ve been working and building in the same community for over 40 years. Most of what we produce is made locally in our shop on in East Kildonan, and installed in homes and businesses in Winnipeg, Southern Manitoba, and Western Ontario. We do our best to source as much as we can locally to both support the local economy and aim for continued sustainability. We’re watching prices and researching our options in case we need to make changes, but we’ve seen no major movement on any front yet.
How have the Canadian tariffs affected the renovation industry?
The renovation industry seems to be faring better so far than other industries, even if you include similar ones like new home builders that are more impacted by lumber fluctuations, and rely on key items like shingles that are primarily imported.
We looked at some of the products and materials we source regularly to see where they’re coming from and what options you have. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it covers much of a typical renovation:
Lumber and specialty wood:
At Gateway, we purchase much of the wood we use in large quantities (often in a 3-6 month supply) and try to time our purchases when costs are lower (we ARE Winnipeggers to our core). This large quantity helps us get a better deal and also mitigate any ongoing supply chain uncertainty and small regular fluctuations in price. Much of the wood we use is sourced from within Canada, and some specialty wood products (like the birch we use in the construction of all our drawers) also come from overseas. Very little of the wood we use regularly is sourced from the US. While there are not currently any new restrictions on wood products, lumber has often been a source of friction between Canada and the US. That said, it’s important to remember that, as a whole, Canada exports far more lumber and wood products than we import, so if trade restrictions resulted in less wood crossing the borders, we’d be on the side with the surplus.
Stone Countertops and Tile:
Most stone and tile products are mined or manufactured all over the world, very little of either come from the US, and anything that DOES, can easily be closely substituted from another supplier.
Plumbing Fixtures:
While our suppliers for these items are Canadian companies, many plumbing fixtures used in Canada, like sinks, toilets, bathtubs and faucets, are manufactured in the US. As of March 13, 2025, Canada has 25% import tariffs on some of these materials including sinks and baths made of steel or iron (Check the full list here). Because the plumbing industry uses a good amount of metal, tariffs may affect tubing, flex hoses and pipes as well, though we have not yet seen any noticeable price increases in this area.
Electrical Supplies and Fixtures:
Many light fixtures are imported into Canada from countries overseas, but there are some electrical products that are manufactured in the Unites States, though any increases we’ve seen have been minimal. That said, one of the only products Gateway directly imports into Canada from the US has seen a pricing increase due to tariffs, though it’s a very specific and specialty item. As part of our catalogue of custom-built pieces, we offer wood-clad range hoods for kitchens, using one particular brand of extractor fan inserts (sourced from California and chosen for quality, durability and other specifications). This item is subject to Canadian import tariffs and while we haven’t yet needed to factor the new amount into a project, we estimate this tax will increase the cost of a custom-built wood range hood by less than $150.
Major Appliances:
While we don’t supply appliances for our custom renovations (and therefore increases in this area aren’t reflected on our balance sheets), the increased cost of appliances would affect you if you’re planning a kitchen renovation, so we felt it was important to mention. Most large appliances bought and used in Canada are manufactured in and imported from the US and Canada has applied import tariffs on them. As appliances can be a major cost in a kitchen renovation
Labour costs:
A large portion of the cost of a renovation comes from trade labour costs, and because we’re a Canadian company and all our trusted trade partners are the same, tariffs don’t affect these costs in any way. However, there are other factors in this current economy that could affect these costs in the near future. General inflation rates, supply and demand (fewer tradespeople entering the profession while many are retiring), and even interest rates can affect the costs of doing business in Canada, with potential to increase the cost of labour over the next few years.
So what does this mean for you?
Making the choice to invest in a major renovation is always a complicated one, and there are many factors that can be taken into consideration, but it can be reassuring to understand that across the board, home values have remained steady and continue to increase. Investing in your home, especially one that you’ll be living in long-term, is almost always a good, stable investment.
No matter what the political climate looks like, our 40 years of experience in the industry tell us that prices always trend up, so as far as costs go, there’s rarely a reason to delay if you are prepared to start. The best time to start is always now.
As a company, it’s our goal to create inspiring designs, build to the highest quality, and care for your needs through this process. We’re not scared to shop around, source different materials, or work with you to find the best products for your style and budget. We want you to feel confident in your decisions so we’re happy to share our expertise with you.
If you have a project you’d like to start, or need more information, please contact us, we’ll be happy to help.