US tariffs on Canada are making home repairs more expensive. Here's what Toronto contractors are seeing

Key Takeaways:

• On September 8, Canada imposed dollar-for-dollar counter tariffs on over 700 U.S. products, after trade talks between the two countries to prevent new 50% import tariffs on Canadian goods fell through on August 21st.

• Existing tariffs on common building materials, such as steel, have already impacted Canadian contractors due to higher costs and material shortages.

• Contractors urge homeowners who are planning projects to book early to lock in existing pricing.

• Contractors and homeowners should communicate honestly about how the current tariff climate is impacting costs and project expectations.

Editor’s note: Negotiations on U.S.-Canada tariffs and trade are ongoing. Be sure to check back for updates as more information becomes available. This post was last updated on September 8, 2026.

For over a year now, threatened import duties imposed by the U.S. have caused upheaval and driven up costs for consumers and businesses alike. 

September has brought fresh drama to the trade limbo. After racing against an August 19th deadline, and then a three-day extension to August 21st, trade talks between the U.S. and Canada to avoid a fresh slate of 50% import tariffs on Canadian goods fell through. As a result, new levies have been placed on $28-billion worth of goods – including dairy, cement, and personal care products – exported from Canada to the U.S.

On September 8, Canada then matched those tariffs “dollar for dollar" on more than 700 U.S. products, with levies ranging between 5 - 15%. These include doubling tariffs on American steel and aluminum from 25 to 50%,and increasing tariff rates on other products to match what’s been put in place by the U.S.

What this latest tariff news means for Canadian homeowners

In addition to heaping new duties on a wide variety of goods previously shielded by CUSMA – including common building materials such as plastics, cement, metal fibre cable, and wood products – they’ll also apply to many household appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers, and a variety of wood and metal furniture. The translation for homeowners: It may get pricier to undertake new renovations, or replace aging appliances.

Existing tariffs on materials such as steel and lumber have already made it pricier to get jobs done around the house. Steel tariffs, in particular, have made a mark here – everything from window frames, metal roofing, to HVAC ducts and electrical conduits require steel components, meaning you may be charged more for these projects.

We’ve chatted with several Toronto-based Pros on how tariffs have impacted their business costs, and their tips for how homeowners can make their money go further.

How are US tariffs on Canada impacting the cost of home maintenance projects?

RJ Donaldson of duct cleaning company Canaduct says that the effect of tariffs – in addition to spiking fuel costs – are being felt in every aspect of his business. 

“Everything is accumulating all at once,” he says. “Our gas [prices] are way up for diesel, our materials and costs are way up – filters, supplies, and metals, everything like that.” 

Mamuka Tarielashvili of Manikano Construction says higher material costs are now being factored into the smallest aspects of a job. For example, he says the price of screws has doubled, which can add up fast on larger projects. “Before, I wouldn’t even count screws, and stuff like that,” he says. “Now, I really have to, because before, it was like $29 or $30 for the box. Now, it's $60 – double.” 

He’s also had to cover the cost of importing hard-to-find materials from the U.S. due to tariff-related shortages; on a recent job that required sourcing polyurethane for crown moulding, he placed an order to a supplier south of the border, an experience he describes as a “disaster.” 

“I had to do the clearance for the tariff by myself. For $680 [of materials], I paid an extra $125 for tariffs and duty,” he says. 

Should I plan a home renovation now or wait out the tariffs?

These shifting costs can make it tough for contractors to accurately quote for projects, especially if they’re reliant on the prices set by material suppliers.

“A  lot of companies are not actually honoring their 30-day guarantee quote anymore – I can't,” says Fasi Tomal of AFG Heating and Cooling Services. He says unless he’s able to put deposits on specific product orders ahead of time, he’s stuck with whatever HVAC products are available, regardless of their cost.

“If a customer gets a quote and I tell him $10,000 for a furnace or A/C, that can change within a month or within a couple of weeks,” he says. “If that product is done or it runs out, I have to go to a different brand, or the same supplier might be like, ‘The new batch is coming in, but there's a price increase.’”

Tomal says for homeowners who are able, planning a project several months out can help them access the pricing that’s available now. “They should plan and then they should set it in stone,” he says.

Tarielashvili agrees that homeowners planning a future project are best not to push or postpone it, “because it’s going to be more and more uncertain in the future. And, if the project is started, get it done.”

How do tariffs affect emergency home repairs like a broken furnace or AC?

Of course, many home maintenance jobs are unexpected – such as a broken down furnace or air conditioning unit – and homeowners don’t have the luxury of time.

“From an HVAC perspective it's a tough one because in HVAC, a lot of people are not so much in a position of getting to choose when they can do their renovation,” says Chris Siewah, General Manager at Switch Heat Pumps. “Sometimes, you're in a position where you just have to move forward.”

“I would say, look at a few different brands and see what price differences you can get, but ultimately, comfort’s the most important thing, and there’s no substitute for that.”

What should I ask my contractor about tariffs before starting a project?

Understanding how steel and other tariffs impact jobs can help set cost and labour expectations. Tarielashvili says he prioritizes clear communication with his clients, and makes it a habit every season. “What I'm doing right now, is just communicating with the people I'm working with,” he says. “Like, this is something I cannot install [because of the cost].”

“If clients have projects in the future, like a damaged deck or something, that involves [things like] railings, I would keep an eye on the prices for this year.” 

Ultimately, contractors are doing their best to make ends meet while keeping costs sustainable for homeowners. While that’s led to rising costs for some sectors, others don’t have the wiggle room to adjust their pricing.

“Rising costs will put us out of business because the next person will do it for cheaper,” says Donaldson.

“It's less spending, less expenses, less growth for the company, less wage. We’re just eating it,” he says. “We’re getting by. I’m pretty confident that a lot of companies are doing that right now.”  

Want more news that impacts your home’s bottom line? Sign up for your free Quartermaster account to get Pro tips and headlines delivered straight to your inbox.