Hello Family, Friends, and Valued Clients,

Spring has sprung! Warmer weather is moving in, and it’s fun to see the increase in outdoor activity. I like to drive home down the parkway and admire that we live in such a great place—one that encourages enjoyment and makes all the beauty of this city accessible to all of us.

There has been a lot of buzz recently around different market changes and fiscal policies that could impact remodeling projects, and we wanted to share a bit of insight from our perspective. Yes, lumber price increases are real, no matter what the “reason” is for them. Currently, exceptions have been made for lumber and building supplies from Canada and Mexico, which were put in place to minimize negative effects on the construction and housing markets. In truth, for many kitchen, bath, and interior remodeling projects, lumber costs make up a small percentage of the overall budget. So while there have been some increases—or threats of increases—the overall impact is typically minor in the grand scheme.

New home construction, however, may feel these potential cost increases more significantly, as lumber and materials account for a larger portion of those projects. It’s hard to predict what prices will do amid policy uncertainty, but one thing remains true: costs don’t tend to go down by waiting! With interest rates holding steady, remodeling remains a smart investment in your future.

It’s amazing how quickly time flies, and the old adage “the days are long, but the months are fast” is resonating loudly in our world. My family is hoping to spend some summer weekends at the cabin, and our annual “bike to the cabin” trip for Memorial Day is fast approaching. I’ll also be taking my second shot at coaching tee-ball for my middle child—let’s see if we can build some team sports fundamentals and have some fun while we’re at it!

Until next time, have a wonderful kickoff to the summer season. All the best from the Sylvestre Team!

– Marc and John

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