Have you been hearing a lot about tariffs recently?
Are you concerned tariffs might raise the price of high ticket items? Like the price of a new roof?
You’re not alone. As a local roofing contractor, we tend to get busy around this time of year. This is because homeowners typically use the spring and summertime to prepare for our notorious hurricane season. However, this year brings new challenges as we see the news about tariffs and price increases splashed across our news stations.
It’s concerning to think about if a new roof was in your budget this year. But arming yourself with knowledge about these tariffs may help you make the best decision for your home.
Here we’ll break down what a tariff is, what materials have tariffs on them, and how it affects the price of a new roof for Myrtle Beach homeowners in 2025.
Let’s dive in.
What is a Tariff?
A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported goods. The tariffs we’re seeing in the U.S. are meant to encourage domestic production, thus strengthening the U.S. economy and creating jobs.
There are a few tariffs affecting the price of raw materials used in roofing that were put into effect in 2018. Even though most of the asphalt shingles installed in the Myrtle Beach area are made in the US, the raw materials used to make them are often shipped in from other countries. Currently there are two additional tariffs in the works that could raise the cost of raw materials anywhere from 10-60%.
Key Tariffs on Roofing and Construction Materials
There are several tariffs that have been in place prior to the tariffs coming into effect this year. Both ongoing and proposed tariffs have and will continue to affect the cost of roofing materials. When it comes to the elements of a roof that are affected by tariffs, the list below provides a detailed summary of which products will likely impact the overall cost of a new roof in 2025. We’ll start by looking at tariffs that are already in place and look ahead at what’s to come in the future.
Steel and Aluminum Tariffs (Section 232)
- 25% tariff on imported steel
- 10% tariff on imported aluminum
Both of these tariffs were implemented for national security reasons in 2018. While the more obvious products impacted by these tariffs are aluminum and metal roofing panels, this also impacts the cost of steel nails, roof flashing, roof vents, and aluminum gutters.
Chinese Goods Tariffs (Section 301)
- 10-25% tariffs on a range of Chinese imports including building and roofing materials
This tariff was put in place in 2018, raising the cost of items like roofing nails, screws, tools, synthetic underlayment, and some insulation products. Today the majority of the items in section 301 are at a 25% tariff. China is a major supplier of roofing chemicals and components, so current tariffs on Chinese goods continue to inflate costs for U.S. roof material manufacturers.
Canadian Softwood Lumber Duties
- Varies between 8-20% on Canadian lumber and wood roofing materials
This includes framing lumber, OSB/plywood sheathing, and cedar shakes. The largest impact this has on the cost of a roof replacement is the varying cost of rafters and roof decking.
Proposed 2025 “All Imports” Tariff
- 10% on all imports
The “All Imports” tariff is currently in the proposal stage as of March 2025. This tariff would impact all imported construction materials, raising material costs by roughly 10%. This would include everything from imported tiles to basic roofing equipment.
Proposed 2025 China-Specific Tariff
- 60%+ tariff on Chinese goods
This tariff is currently in the proposal stage as of March 2025. With this tariff any China sourced roofing material has the potential to be 60% or more higher cost than it is currently. Most notably, this could increase the price of specialty underlayment, solar shingles, and other chemicals used in the shingle manufacturing process.
How Tariffs Affect the Cost of a Roof Replacement in Myrtle Beach
Tariffs on raw materials have a domino effect on the final price of a roof replacement. When raw material prices go up, roofing material manufacturers increase the cost of their product. This trickles down to your local roofing company, who pays a higher price for materials, thus charging more for their service.
But this is not an uncommon trend in the roofing industry. Since 2019, before the COVID pandemic, there have been regular price increases from major shingle manufacturers like GAF. The trend has stayed consistent, with the highest price increase hitting the industry in April 2022 with a 10% increase.
The material price increase we’re expecting to see from GAF on asphalt shingles is between 6-9% come April 1, 2025. With 3% of that increase allocated to potential cost increases from tariffs on raw materials. However, this is not new, as there are around 2-3 price increases on materials each year.
The rough cost of a shingle roof today (March 2025) is between $9,600 to $18,000 on a 30 square roof, which is the average size of a home in Myrtle Beach. This number may vary depending on your unique roof.
The Impact of Tariffs on Homeowners and Roofers in Myrtle Beach
Homeowners are likely to see price increases across the board, not just in roof replacements or other construction services. When it comes to roof replacements, we always say that the price you pay today will be the lowest price. Not to pressure you into making a decision right away, but because we see price increases multiple times each year on roofing materials like asphalt shingles. Unfortunately, the trend suggests that it’s unlikely the price will ever go back down.
The proposed tariffs on raw materials contributes to overall inflation in the construction world. However in Myrtle Beach, contractors seem to be staying optimistic. As the nation's fastest growing city, some contractors in Myrtle Beach doubt that the tariffs will significantly impact the price of construction, as stated by an article published on WPDE.com. While others are unsure if it will be more significant for specialty construction services like roofing for the near future.
Getting a Roof Replacement in Myrtle Beach in 2025
With prices rising on nearly everything over the last few years, it’s no wonder why you might be hesitant to get a new roof in 2025. A roof replacement is a large investment without additional price hikes, after all.
However, now that you know what to expect in the coming months, you can plan ahead. And while it may make you roll your eyes, our best advice when it comes to getting a fair price is to have your roof replaced sooner than later.
We see material price increases on a fairly regular basis, meaning the price you pay today will be less than it will be a year from now. To get the ball rolling, it may benefit you to schedule a roof inspection and start comparing estimates.
And as always, if you have any additional questions about how tariffs may affect the price of a new roof, contact us! We’re always happy to share knowledge and help you make the best decision for your home.
