Tariff Update

New Wins for Housing From NAHB and What It Means for Caulkins Homes Clients

As we shared in our recent blog post “Why Tariffs Won’t Stop Your Dream Home: A Positive Outlook on Building in 2025,” we’ve been closely tracking the evolving 2025 tariff landscape to ensure our clients stay protected, informed, and empowered as they move forward with their custom home journey.

Now, with additional clarity following President Trump’s April 2 announcement and the April 3 response from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), we’re even more confident:
👉 Building your dream home in 2025 is not only possible—it’s still a very smart move.

Tariff Update: Strategic Exemptions for Housing Materials

The White House recently announced a 10% baseline tariff on all trading partners, with elevated tariffs as high as 50% on goods from countries like South Korea and China. However, thanks to strong advocacy from NAHB, Canada and Mexico—two of our industry’s most vital trading partners—are exempt.

NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes shared:

“NAHB is pleased President Trump recognized the importance of critical construction inputs for housing and chose to continue current exemptions for Canadian and Mexican products, with a specific exemption for lumber from any new tariffs at this time.”
(NAHB Blog, April 2025)

This is a major win for residential construction and custom home clients because:

Canada supplies 85% of U.S. softwood lumber imports, which are essential for framing and structural materials.
Mexico supplies gypsum, concrete, and major appliances—materials that are heavily relied upon by U.S. builders.

By keeping these exemptions in place, the administration has shielded key housing inputs from additional tariff costs.

Keeping Costs in Perspective

Tariffs on certain building materials, like steel, aluminum, and copper, may lead to some short-term price volatility. According to NAHB’s Housing Market Index, the estimated average increase from recent tariff activity is about $9,200 per home.

But here’s the broader view:

A typical new home includes $174,155 in materials, and only 7.3% are imported
With Canadian and Mexican goods exempt, most materials remain price-stable and readily available
Lumber prices—a major cost factor—are holding steady due to the continued 14.5% rate, without a new 10% tariff added

At Caulkins Homes, we are not only aware of these details—we’re planning around them to protect your investment.

What NAHB Is Doing for Home Builders

At Caulkins Homes, we believe in not only building exceptional homes, but also contributing to the strength and future of our industry. That’s why we’re proud, active members of both our local and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

We value the NAHB for its unwavering commitment to housing affordability, smart policy advocacy, and the advancement of best practices in residential construction. It serves as a vital resource for industry insight, national representation, and collaboration among builders, trade partners, and policymakers.

Craig Caulkins, our founder, served as President of the Home Builders Association of Eastern Connecticut, leading the organization through the challenges of the pandemic with resilience and forward-thinking leadership. Today, our eldest son and lead project manager, Patrick Caulkins, continues that tradition as the current President. Through our involvement, we stay connected, informed, and actively engaged with the issues that shape residential construction—so we can better serve our clients with clarity, confidence, and care.

What are they doing for Home Builders thus our clients?

The NAHB has long fought for housing affordability and continues to lead the charge in 2025:

Filed letters with the Department of Commerce and the White House advocating for tariff relief on lumber and critical materials
Met with senior U.S. trade representatives and Canadian officials to support a fair lumber trade agreement
Testified before Congress to emphasize that housing is national security, and unnecessary tariffs hurt affordability and access
Helped pass the Fix Our Forest Act, aimed at increasing U.S. lumber supply and reducing costs long-term

Their work is a direct benefit to homeowners—and builders like us—ensuring policy stays aligned with housing needs.

How Caulkins Homes Is Leading Through Change

As shared in our previous blog post, our proactive mindset has been central to helping clients build confidently through any market condition.

Here’s how we’re navigating the latest tariff developments:

We’ve strengthened our supplier network to focus on American-made and tariff-exempt materials
Our leadership team—including Patrick Caulkins, President of the HBA of Eastern Connecticut—has been tracking national conversations and industry responses firsthand
Our seamless in-house process—from land acquisition to final walkthrough—ensures we stay agile and efficient in changing environments

We’re not reacting to the market. We’re leading in it.

Why You Can Still Build with Confidence in 2025

Despite tariff headlines, the message from economists, NAHB, and our experienced team is consistent:
You can still build a beautiful, customized home this year—with clarity and control.

✅ Material costs remain manageable for well-planned builds
✅ Lumber and key imports remain exempt from new tariffs
✅ Caulkins Homes has the foresight, systems, and leadership to keep your project on track

Let’s Talk About Your Dream Home

We invite you to connect with us for a one-on-one discovery session. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or ready to move forward, we’re here to answer questions and create a roadmap that fits your vision and budget.

Contact us here to get started.