If you’ve worked with a commercial or federal contractor in the past few years—or even if you’re in the early stages of planning a project—you’ve probably heard the phrase “material delays” more times than you’d like. Trust us, we get it. As a company rooted in transparency and relationships, we know how frustrating it can be when timelines shift or supplies just don’t arrive when expected.

But there’s a very real—and very global—reason behind it: tariffs.

What’s Actually Happening with Tariffs?

Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods. When these are raised or introduced on critical materials like steel, aluminum, electrical components, and mechanical systems, the ripple effects are felt immediately across the construction industry.

For us, this means many of the materials we rely on every day—items that used to be easy to source—are now subject to longer lead times, price volatility, and unexpected backorders. Sometimes we’re talking weeks of delay; other times, months.

These aren’t just inconveniences—they directly impact scheduling, budgeting, and labor planning. And when we’re working on large-scale federal or commercial projects, where precision and compliance are key, any delay is amplified.

It’s Not Just About Steel and Lumber

We’ve had clients ask why materials like lighting fixtures, HVAC equipment, or elevator components are suddenly delayed. The truth is, many of these products have complex supply chains that span multiple countries. Even if an item is assembled in the U.S., a single component might be imported—and subject to tariffs or international manufacturing delays.

What starts as a small tax or a regulatory decision thousands of miles away can quickly result in shipping bottlenecks, supplier shortages, or production slowdowns. And unfortunately, those costs and delays trickle down to every stakeholder in the construction process.

How We’re Navigating It

We’re not in the business of making excuses—we’re in the business of building solutions. And that mindset is what guides our approach when facing tariff-driven delays.

Here’s what we’re doing:

• Proactive Procurement: Our teams now plan farther in advance, ordering long-lead items earlier than ever before. This helps minimize surprises down the road.
• Transparent Communication: We stay in close contact with suppliers, subcontractors, and—most importantly—our clients. If something changes, we bring it to the table early so we can pivot together.
• Value Engineering: In some cases, we work alongside clients and architects to identify alternative materials or vendors that can meet the design intent without compromising quality or compliance.
• Flexible Scheduling: By resequencing work or adjusting the project flow, we do everything we can to keep boots on the ground and momentum strong, even when a critical item is delayed.

We Feel It Too

Behind every blueprint and bid package is a team of people—project managers, superintendents, estimators, and tradespeople—who take pride in delivering quality work on time. When delays happen, it’s not just about logistics; it’s about people. It’s about the team who has to reorganize weeks of scheduling, or the client who needs the space operational for a key deadline. We feel that weight, and we take it seriously.

We’re not immune to the impact of tariffs, but we are committed to navigating them with resilience, transparency, and accountability.

Looking Ahead

The construction landscape is always evolving, and tariff-related delays aren’t likely to disappear overnight. But we’ve learned to adapt. We’ve built systems that anticipate challenges, and we’re constantly looking for smarter, faster ways to deliver what our clients need.

To everyone we work with—thank you for your trust, your patience, and your partnership. Together, we’ll keep building forward, even when the road gets bumpy.