If there’s one constant in community development, it’s that things are always changing. New codes, evolving technologies, shifting demographics—all part of the job. But recently, a new layer of uncertainty has crept into our conversations: tariffs.
We’re seeing growing discussions at the federal level about tariffs on construction materials, particularly steel, aluminum, and other key imports. While the long-term outcomes remain unclear, the short-term question for communities is: what does this mean for the projects we’re planning today?
A Pause or a Pivot?
Tariffs have the potential to increase the cost of construction materials, which could lead to delayed projects, budget adjustments, or in some cases, temporary halts in development. That’s a real concern for communities striving to meet the needs of growing populations, attract new businesses, and revitalize infrastructure.
But it’s not all gloom and doom. These moments of uncertainty also create space for innovation and resilience. Municipalities and developers may explore new suppliers, rethink project phasing, or lean into adaptive reuse strategies that reduce reliance on new materials altogether. We’ve seen it before—challenges often accelerate creativity.
Preparedness Over Prediction
At SAFEbuilt, we’re not in the business of making economic forecasts. But we are in the business of helping communities prepare. The key in times like these is flexibility. A building department that’s agile—ready to pivot with market shifts and support evolving project scopes—can be a stabilizing force.
This is also where collaboration becomes critical. Transparent conversations between local leaders, planners, inspectors, and development partners allow for real-time adjustments and proactive problem-solving. We’re proud to be at the table with many of you, navigating this together.
Staying Ahead
The best way to respond to uncertainty is with readiness. Now is the time to review permitting processes, assess inspection timelines, and ensure that your development strategy can withstand fluctuations in cost and material availability. Consider where technology can streamline operations or where policy updates can provide flexibility.
A great example showcasing how technology can improve a building department’s efficiency is SAFEbuilt’s Remote Video Inspections (RVI). Communities need the ability to create additional layers of flexibility during uncertain times. RVI helps our community partners increase their speed to revenue without increasing their cost of service. This is a powerful tool that delivers reliability and predictability when communities are faced with unexpected changes.
Most importantly, let’s keep the dialogue going. Tariffs may change the cost of materials, but they don’t change the shared goal we all have: building safe, thriving, and sustainable communities.
At SAFEbuilt, we’re committed to helping you do just that—no matter what the economic winds bring.
