What Tariffs Mean for Your Design Project

We've seen and heard so much about tariffs in various industries in the news lately, and you might be wondering how this trickles down, and specifically what tariffs might mean for your own home design project. I'll start by saying that this isn't political commentary - it's business, plain and simple.

What Tariffs Mean for Your Design Project

My inbox has been filled with daily emails from multiple vendors over the last few weeks, if not months - most of whom are saying they are raising prices across their assortment of lines, and here's why. A few have said they are holding prices on current orders as tariffs are hashed out, and we are definitely in that camp for as long as we can.

As I work with vendors through this period, I am asking the following questions:

• Do price increases apply to unshipped orders?

• Are there overall price increases or only grade changes on specific fabrics?

• Will increases affect the entire product line or only certain pieces?

• Do you have a date set for price increases?

• If the tariff situation reverses course, will the pricing follow due course?

For my business I try to source from US vendors as much as possible, but in case you didn't know, many US vendors source materials like springs, fabrics, etc. from overseas as well. So no matter what, these tariffs will certainly trickle down and most likely affect everyone in some way. I'm sure you've seen it or felt it in your dealings here on planet Earth. #everythingisexpensive

And just know I am watching like a hawk, paying attention to companies who raise their pricing and by how much, especially those that don't import most of their goods or the majority of their raw materials. Integrity in business is very important to me, and taking advantage of a situation is not the way to maintain loyalty with your customers and clients. I get that everyone in business wants to make money but I've seen some strange happenings y'all. Word travels fast within the design community and its imperative for business owners to pay attention and adapt when necessary.

That being said, it is more important than ever to stay on schedule with design projects especially when it comes to approving/disapproving products. My previous contracts gave clients 72 hours of guaranteed pricing for their proposed pieces, but now it's been moved up to 48 hours to lock in the pricing we've previously discussed, with full payment upfront.

Looking at the back end procurement process, as I explain to our clients, when I place an order with a vendor, those orders are really are not cancelable. The money is paid upfront and the product is locked in with them as soon as the order is placed. As prices are changing daily it seems, reacting quickly to completed invoices or product selections is absolutely critical right now.

Since we are constantly monitoring the tariff situation as a part of due diligence, depending on the scope of work and where we are in each of our projects, we may need to readjust to order certain items that are likely to see tariffs imposed to avoid price increases where we can.

As of this moment, we are also making the decision to cover the costs should tariffs change product pricing once orders are placed, but that truthfully is not sustainable for a small business for too long. And yes, that has actually happened and, as I said before, my memory is long and we will adjust our choice of vendors accordingly going forward. We roll with the punches and with integrity, this is why constant communication and staying on top of invoices or product approvals to keep the project moving is so critical in the design process.

I know we will get through this together, with constant communication between us and our clients and vendors, and a prayer that this situation stabilizes soon, all the while as my legs are running 100 mph under the surface of the water to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently for our projects and ultimately worry free for our wonderful clients!