Those rebuilding after L.A. fires will likely face higher lumber prices as Trump tariffs loom

By Don Lee
MSN
January 16, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: United States, US West

Devastating, often tragic as the Los Angeles wildfires have been, rebuilding could bring nightmares all its own, including murky insurance rules, material shortages and potentially higher cost for everything from lumber to bathtubs. In terms of economic upheaval, it could be the construction industry equivalent of what the COVID-19 pandemic did to the economy just a few years ago. Lumber is the single biggest component of homebuilding materials, accounting for about 15% of overall home construction costs. Southern California builders use wood for framing homes that’s sourced mostly from Canada and the Pacific Northwest. And the last couple of years have left the lumber industry ill-prepared for a big surge in demand.

Readers with an account can find the original story in the Los Angeles Times here

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