Post by LNL Builds, LLC

Weekly insights from LNL Builds October 3, 2025 “When the foundations shift, the builder adapts.” The past week brought a stark reminder: in construction, the macro environment is never static. Between new tariffs on lumber & cabinets and looming disruptions from the ongoing federal shutdown, resilience is not optional it’s essential. What’s happening around us • The U.S. has introduced a 10% tariff on timber and lumber imports, with steeper tariffs set for cabinets and furniture, putting upward pressure on costs in an industry already squeezed. • Meanwhile, a federal shutdown is threatening permit delays, disrupted federal project payments, and slower approvals, all of which ripple downstream. • On a brighter note, mega-project spending is surging, even as residential construction has seen several challenging quarters. How this touches us at LNL Builds We’re builders first so when material costs rise and timelines get squeezed, we feel it deeply. But we also see opportunity. Here’s how we’re leaning in: 1. Proactive sourcing & safeguards We’ve been tightening our material supply chains and negotiating advance holds to buffer cost uncertainty. Where possible, we’re prioritizing domestic sources to mitigate tariff impact. 2. Design for flexibility In new projects, we’re favoring design systems that can tolerate material substitutions without compromising quality. Not ideal, but better than halting progress. 3. Open communication with partners Instead of surprises, we aim for real-time transparency: when costs move or timelines stretch, we bring our partners into the conversation early. Trust is built in the trenches. 4. Strategic project mix With residential still under pressure, we’re keeping an eye on civil/megaproject segments while maintaining selective residential work where scale, design, or site conditions give us an edge. A question to reflect on (and maybe spark your own pivot) If your supply chain became unpredictable overnight, which part of your operation would you lean on to stay ahead - innovation, relationships, scale, or something else? At LNL Builds, our bet is that culture & adaptability will carry us through more storms than any single contract ever could. Let’s keep building. Not just structures but resilience, trust, and long-term vision.