Tariffs on products being imported to the U.S., especially from China, Canada, and Mexico, have been a hotly debated topic in the news, and many people are predicting a hike in prices on things like tools and materials for DIY projects as the tariffs are enacted. There is a lot of conjecture about how to keep your home improvement and DIY projects prices down, with many commentators advising people to simply “buy American"—but that probably won’t work. The economy is increasingly international, with parts of almost everything made in the U.S. being imported from all over the world.
Because of an overall increase in the cost of manufacturing due to tariffs on things like fuel and electricity, as well as materials and parts, and a decrease in demand for American products abroad, manufacturing in the U.S. has slowed significantly over the last few months. As a result of this lull in activity and the lack of international demand for American goods, prices on tools made in the U.S. aren’t likely to be much cheaper than imported products. Whether companies are battling higher costs, lower demand for their products, or both, their prices won’t be going down as compared to other products as long as their business operates in the global economy. Here's what you can do if the prices get too high.
Repair broken tools instead of buying new ones
While parts might be more expensive because of tariffs, you can likely still save some money by fixing power tools when they break rather than replacing them. Sharpening saw blades for a table saw can range from $15 to about $50 per blade, which is much cheaper than replacing them, especially for specialty blades. If you have a tool with a power cord that has become worn, you can get a replacement cord for between $10 and $40, depending on the length and gauge. Even if you don’t feel comfortable replacing the cord yourself, the cost of having the repair done is likely still cheaper than buying a new drill press or bench sander.
Rent your tools
While renting smaller power tools like drills and drivers might not be worth it—the minimum rental on those is around $27—larger tools like power washers, floor sanders, and tillers can be rented for between $80 and $90 per day. This is a significant savings on buying a large tool like this, but make sure to check your rental contract to see what's included. Sometimes you'll be responsible for providing sanding discs and other needed accessories for the rented tool. Auto repair stores like Autozone also sometimes have tools to loan out for a deposit, as long as you return the tools within the 90-day loan period. If you have a DIY project that only requires the use of a particular tool for a short period of time, this type of rental or loan can result in significant savings.
Where to borrow tools
If you want to avoid tariffs altogether, you can try borrowing tools through a local tool library or neighborhood swap group. This is by far the most tariff-resistant way to get your DIY projects done on a budget—and build community while you work. Tool libraries can often be a resource for more than just tools—they often host classes and repair workshops, too, making them a perfect place to start if you’re a DIY beginner or you just want to make some DIY friends.
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