How to Stay Ahead of Construction Material Tariffs with Smart Engineering
Tariffs on steel, wood, and concrete are reshaping construction costs, and not always predictably. While no firm can erase price volatility, the right engineering approach can outdesign it. With thoughtful, material-efficient strategies, it’s possible to reduce costs without compromising the quality, performance, or purpose of your project.
I’ve been designing for material-efficiency from the start, and material optimization has always been core to my practice. While I can’t eliminate tariff price impacts altogether in my designs, I can significantly alleviate them.
Why Material-Efficient Structural Design Matters Now
Tariffs have on average increased construction prices by 25%. In many of my projects, small reductions in necessary materials add up to serious savings. That’s where my experience counts. If I can reduce your material costs by 5%, or 10%, or 15% with smarter engineering, you gain a competitive edge others won’t enjoy.
While I can’t promise specific outcomes regarding tariffs, I can promise your construction prices will be much lower with me versus going with another engineering firm.
Building smarter isn’t new for EA Engineering. The only difference now is that more people are paying attention.
Tariffs have simply highlighted the value of what I’ve believed in all along:
Keep it Light. Keep it Right. Keep it Tight.
The most resilient structures are the ones that stay light on material, right on performance, and tight on carbon. That’s my design ethos on every project, not just as a response to crisis, but as a philosophy of excellence.
This type of design philosophy isn’t just more sustainable, it’s more resilient, more affordable, and more aligned with what the future requires of us. Volatile pricing is a liability for many, and it’s a lever for those who design with foresight.
In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned and how both engineers and clients can benefit from material-efficient building design.
The Impact of Tariffs on Construction Materials: Steel, Concrete, and Wood
Reducing Steel in Construction Through Smart Design
Designing with no steel, less steel, and optimizing structural steel are tools in my toolbox.
Steel price increases can be an opportunity for you when you work with me, rather than a threat. While everyone else is scrambling, you’ll benefit from forward-thinking and intelligent design that keeps your operations competitive.
- Load path optimization
This involves a full audit of the structural system to understand how loads are distributed. By directing forces more efficiently, I can often reduce the amount of steel required without affecting safety or performance. This method plays a crucial role in minimizing steel use in buildings. - Strategic code application
I identify where conservative defaults add unnecessary cost and optimize accordingly. I select the building code that best fits the project’s goals, and when beneficial, I combine multiple codes for a smarter, more efficient design. - Performance-based design
Rather than using one-size-fits-all solutions, I use performance-based design to optimize your project costs and material use.
Designing with Less Cement and SCMs to Offset Concrete and Cement Tariffs
The concrete and cement tariffs, currently at 25 percent, are adding cost layers that can be mitigated. I address this by designing with less cement, designing with SCMs, carbon sequestered concrete, and collaborating early with suppliers. These cost-effective engineering solutions also reduce embodied carbon.
Minimizing Wood Use to Manage Wood Tariffs and Construction Costs
Wood tariffs and construction costs are rising, especially with a 15 percent tariff on Douglas Fir. Since lumber alternatives are limited in California, I focus on designing with less wood.
Smart Building Design Strategies vs. Reactive Material Substitution
Many firms respond to higher costs by rushing to substitute materials. That approach misses the bigger picture. True savings come from rethinking how a building performs, not from swapping out parts. My designs reduce costs from the outset, improve performance, and lower carbon, all at once.
Overdesign and copy-paste engineering are common and costly. They inflate your material expenses and construction costs by as much as 20 percent. If you’re not looking closely, you may not see the waste. But you will pay for it. I take the time to find those inefficiencies and remove them.
Real-World Applications: Case Studies in Efficient Engineering
Case Study 1: Gilded Springs Subdivision
In a multi-home subdivision, I combined multiple building codes strategically to streamline material use and simplify construction for the contractor.
This approach revealed redundancies in the original design, allowing elements to be removed or reconfigured without compromising safety, compliance, or performance.
According to the project architect, these adjustments resulted in an estimated 15 to 20 percent savings in construction costs and materials.
This case illustrates how targeted, high-resolution engineering, when applied with precision and purpose, can yield substantial returns for developers and builders alike.
Case Study 2: Lake Wildwood Residence
On a custom residence, the layout presented a major constraint: no room for conventional shear wall detailing along one side of the structure.
Instead of resorting to expensive engineered shear panels or steel systems, I redesigned the structural load path entirely, working with the architecture instead of forcing a workaround.
The result was a simpler, more elegant solution that eliminated unnecessary materials and labor.
This decision saved the client thousands of dollars in materials and labor, reduced construction complexity, and preserved the design intent.
It is a clear example of how thoughtful engineering, grounded in efficiency, can solve complex design challenges without driving up costs.
Leading the Way with Lean Structural Engineering and Cost-Effective Solutions
While others wait for mandates or scramble to adapt, I stay ahead. I was the first woman engineer of record to specify carbon-sequestered concrete in a residential foundation in California. That experience taught me how to navigate resistance and lead the way in sustainable design.
I stay informed through professional organizations like ACI and SEAONC and monitor policy changes like SB 596 so I can guide you confidently through a changing landscape.
I regularly work on projects in these areas: Nevada City, Grass Valley, Auburn, Placerville, Sacramento, Truckee/Tahoe, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Why Staying Ahead Matters More Than Ever
Change can feel like a disruption, but it can also be an opportunity. Tariffs are just one more reason that the approach I’ve refined over the years is the future.
Even if steel price increases or tariffs eventually subside, the value of designing for budget-friendly construction will remain. Efficient design is always relevant, always valuable.
Smart Building Design Is Your Best Defense Against Tariffs and Construction Costs
Understand the Real Cost of Overbuilding
If you’re an architect, developer, or fabricator, the rising impact of tariffs on construction can’t be ignored.
You don’t need to overbuild to build with excellence. You just need to design smarter.
Build Efficiently, Build Responsibly
This isn’t just about cost control, it’s also about climate-conscious design. I design structures that are efficient, code-compliant, and materially elegant. Less waste. Less cost. Greater structural and ethical value. While others substitute reactively, I refine holistically.
Tariffs don’t have to mean compromise. They can drive innovation.
Let’s Design a Smarter Future Together
I’m here to be your proactive partner to:
- Save money on construction
- Reduce waste and carbon
- Design for a stronger, more resilient future
EA Engineering is a strategic partner for those navigating budget pressures, supply constraints, or designing with sustainability and environmental protection at heart. If you’re planning a thoughtful, premium project, let’s work together to create structures that are efficient, resilient, and future-ready.
As structural engineers, we don’t just hold up buildings, we hold the blueprint for how to move forward.
Let’s talk if you’re ready to build smarter: with less waste, more value, and lasting impact.