From the Border to Your Kitchen: The Ripple Effect of Tariffs on Repairs

 As new appliances become more expensive, more homeowners are turning to repairs—but that’s not without its own challenges.

In the last two weeks, we’ve looked at how tariffs are driving up prices for purchasing appliances, and how tariffs will affect the supply chain to get them built. This week we’re looking at how tariffs are also going to affect repairing your appliances.  This matters for all of us, as when the prices go up for new appliances, more people focus on fixing what they have. That increased demand puts even more pressure on the supply chain—one that’s already strained by the need to build new appliances With higher demand, the already strained repair economy will be placed under even more pressure. 

So what should you be watching for—and what can you do now to stay ahead of the curve?

Why Tariffs Affect Appliance Repairs

Courtesy of Markus Winkler

Many of us tend to think of tariffs as something that only affects the price of new appliances—just a matter of taxing anything coming into the United States from overseas. But the reality is more complicated, especially when it comes to appliance repairs. Tariffs don’t just apply to finished products in stores; they also apply to the raw materials and individual parts that make those products work in the first place. And that’s where the ripple effects really begin to show. Global supply chains are deeply interconnected. When tariffs are introduced or raised, those chains get disrupted—both outside the country and within our own borders. As access to essential components tightens, manufacturers and repair professionals alike are forced to find new ways to source the materials they need. That means everything from motors and steel housings to electronic circuit boards. Even companies that assemble appliances here in the U.S. still rely heavily on internationally made parts. So when tariffs hit, they don’t just impact global trade—they drive up the cost of doing business at every level. The result? Delays. Higher prices. And fewer options for the people trying to keep their appliances running smoothly. That’s why tariffs don’t just hit manufacturers—they hit everyone who depends on reliable repairs, too.

 What Homeowners Should Expect

What does that mean for you the homeowner though? The short and simple of it is that repair costs are likely to become more expensive over time. We’re not just looking at an impact of the next few months. This is something that will be affecting prices for at least the next two years, if the last round of tariffs are anything to go by.  

The more companies are charged to just get parts in, the more they have to charge to be able to make the cost back. We also have to look at possible delays as we wait for parts to be made or sourced from different companies in different countries. This then makes things take longer to get here, and reduces the likelihood of having parts on hand at all times. 

Special Challenges for DIY Repairs and Independent Shops

Courtesy of Tiger Lily

Now, this isn’t a problem for just big brand companies. This also affects people who want to do their own repairs. It’s also an issue for professional repair services. So, this is a situation where it bites everyone from the biggest fish to the smallest. As there become shortages of specialized parts, older appliances will get harder to repair, and also potentially less cost-effective.  

Long-Term Effects on Appliance Ownership

As the tariffs continue to fluctuate in the coming months and years we expect home owners to choose repairing over purchasing, if only for the savings that will bring compared to purchasing brand new. We’re also expecting that aftermarket parts will become more common solutions among DIY repairs, as those may be easier to obtain when compared to original parts. 

Finally, an unexpected one, for us at least, is that some are predicting the rise in costs for recycling and the disposal of old appliances due to metal tariffs. We’re not sure about this one though and are waiting to see how things will shake out. 

How to Get Ahead

As always, our biggest concern is YOU our clients in the Dallas-Frisco area. We want to make sure that you are able to take care of your homes and appliances. So, how can you get ahead? Our tips are as follows: 

• Schedule maintenance now if your appliances are showing signs of trouble.

• Use reputable repair services that can help source parts efficiently.

• Consider warranties: some manufacturers are maintaining parts warranties even if prices rise.

The tariff situation is evolving and changing week by week, but those of us with an eye to the future can protect our wallets by acting now. If you need repairs, we suggest working with a team you trust, that can help you to avoid surprise costs and keep your home running smoothly even in uncertainty. 

If you’re reading this and ready to reach out to us for an appointment, you can sign up for one via our website or by giving us a call. We’ll work with you to get your home running smoothly again. Whether it’s your washer not draining right or your oven refusing to heat up, we’re here for you. 

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Call: (214) 599-0055 

Tariff Trouble: Why Buying New Appliances Just Got Pricier

Tariffs are more than a trade term—they’re shaping how much you’ll spend on your next appliance.

Let’s be honest—most of us don’t think about tariffs until they start messing with our wallets. And unless you’re deep into economics or international trade, the topic can feel like a blur of taxes, trade wars, and political debates. But when those abstract policies start affecting the price of everyday things—like your fridge, your washer, or even your coffeemaker—it suddenly becomes very real.

Courtesy of Markus Winkler

With new tariffs rolling out under President Trump’s administration, a lot of folks are asking: What does this actually mean for me? Will prices spike? Should I buy now or wait it out? And why does it seem like even the smallest appliance is getting caught up in all of this?

Let’s break it all down—plain and simple—so you know what’s happening, who it’s going to hit, and how it might change your next appliance purchase.

What Are Tariffs? 

Although many of us have our opinions on whether tariffs are good or bad, let’s take a look at what they are. 

Tariffs are taxes placed by the government on goods brought in from other countries. For example, if a company wants to buy phones from South Korea to sell here in the US. There’s a tax for bringing in goods from outside the country, rather than buying from local suppliers. 

That’s the basics. 

When it comes to the tariffs that President Trump is enacting, it hits home appliances on multiple levels. 

First we have the varying charges on goods imported from different countries. These are based on how that country has interacted with the US, and the tariffs that they charge us. There’s a complicated formula that was used, but that’s not relevant. 

Second, you have across the board tariffs that are being charged on all imported home appliances. 

Finally, you have tariffs that are being applied to steel and aluminum, which will also affect the price of goods made from those materials. 

Who Will Be Affected By Tariffs? 

In theory, tariffs are meant to increase our nation’s income, by taxing incoming goods.They are meant to help our economy by making imported products more expensive. This encourages businesses to buy and sell goods made in the United States instead.

However, what happens when companies are charged through the nose to bring in goods from other countries? We, the consumers, get charged through the nose. Prices go up because materials cost more, because of the tariffs themselves, and because supply is shrinking.

Courtesy of Freddy

So, in theory the companies who are importing goods will be paying. In practice? It’ll be us. 

How Will Tariffs Affect Buying New Appliances—And Why? 

Now for the meat of things. How are the tariffs going to affect buying new appliances? 

Some companies preempted the tariffs going into effect by raising prices ahead of time. Thermador, LG, GE, and Sub-Zero all did this. Thermador and LG both raised their Prices in January, GE raised theirs in February and Sub-Zero raised theirs in March. While none of these hikes were more than 25% at the time, it’s unclear how much they’ll go up in response to the  April 3rd tariffs.  

Here’s a breakdown of what we’re likely to see  for all of the different appliances.

Refrigerators and Freezers

Many major brands are manufactured in Mexico, so they’ll be hit with the tariffs for importing from there.  

Washing Machines & Dryers

Samsung and Whirlpool both have assembly plants in Mexico, again, import tariffs from Mexico. 

Microwaves & Ovens

Both have a large number of pieces (if not their entirety) made of steel and aluminum, even as many are assembled in the US. This means that they get hit with the charge for steel and aluminum imports. 

Gas Grills

Almost half of the choices you see in the store are all made in China, so they’ll get hit with the highest tariff currently on the books. 

Coffeemakers 

Yup. Even our coffeemakers are going to get hit since most of them from KitchenAid to Thermador are imported. 

Courtesy of Gerd Altmann

As tariffs go into effect, companies will start to bring in fewer units to limit how much they’re paying at one time. If they can’t guarantee the capability of selling what they have, they aren’t going to bring it in. This will mean we’ll start to see availability issues as prices are rising, or you’ll be charged extra to ensure that you get what you wanted. 

In fact, kitchen appliances are experiencing a double whammy: not only are many finished products imported, but even U.S.-made models rely on foreign steel and components now subject to tariffs. That means manufacturers face increased costs on multiple fronts — and consumers foot the bill.

An important thing to consider is that President Trump has already given a 90 day pause on certain tariffs, as well as being ‘open to negotiation’ from certain countries. So, trying to predict how and when prices will rise or fall is not worth the time. The situation is in flux from one day to the next, and we don’t know how it will shake out or how long it will take for things to settle. For that one, you can look back at how tariffs affect washing machines in President Trump’s first term. 

And whether shoppers feel panicked or patient often has little to do with pricing spreadsheets and everything to do with political outlook. Those hoping tariffs will pay off long-term are often more willing to ride out the discomfort — while others, feeling blindsided, are scrambling to buy before things get worse.

While tariffs may change the price tag on new appliances, one thing that won’t change is the value of a well-timed repair. If your current appliances are still hanging in there but acting up, our team at Appliance Rescue Service can help you extend their lifespan and avoid steep replacement costs. Give us a call—we're here to keep your home running smoothly, no matter what the market looks like.

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Call:  (214) 599-0055