The GNUsFeed

Navigating Tariff Turbulence: How to Budget for Signage in an Uncertain Market

As economic policy shifts ripple through global supply chains, recent tariffs on raw materials like aluminum, steel, and plastics are beginning to impact the signage industry in measurable ways. We’re just beginning to see some fabricators adding a tariff surcharge on their estimates. For property owners, facility managers, and brand leaders responsible for signage programs, the next 3–6 months could bring unexpected challenges to both budget and timeline as businesses face volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. This is even more critical for projects that finalized construction budgets or secured financing before 2025.

At GNU Group, we’re focused on helping our clients plan ahead—minimizing disruption and maximizing the impact of every sign. Here’s what you need to know.

---

Understanding the Impact

Raw materials are a key component of any signage program. With tariffs driving up the cost of metals and plastics, we’re seeing a ripple effect in overall fabrication costs. The increases aren’t dramatic, but they are real: signage projects may face cost escalations of 5–15%, depending on scope and material composition.

Add to that a tightening supply chain and extended lead times for imported components, and it becomes clear that proactive planning is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

---

What It Means for You

Signage is often one of the final steps in a larger capital project—but its impact is immediate and highly visible. Budgeting and scheduling should reflect both its importance and its susceptibility to market fluctuations.

Key considerations:

• Begin Budgeting Early On: Budgeting is a key component of our Sign Profile Analysis. We build high-range and low-range budgets before we begin the design process, ensuring clients can make informed budgetary decisons —and understand the design implications—up front in the project.

• Build in Flexibility: Include a 10–15% contingency in your signage budget to account for price volatility and labor adjustments.

• Make Decisions Early: Approving specs early can help lock in fabrication pricing before costs shift.

• Understand Lead Time Risk: Material shortages may cause 2–6 week delays—and planning early helps offset them.

• Explore Alternate Materials: We’ll guide you on material substitutions that preserve brand integrity and reduce cost impact.

• Think in Phases: Phased rollouts allow for priority-first implementation and real-time budget adaptation.

---

The Value of Turnkey Implementation

In this kind of environment, coordination is key. Our strategic approach to developing signage programs spacs strategy, design, fabrication, and implementation—ensures nothing gets lost in translation from start to finish. We help you plan smarter, connect you with the right fabrication partners, and execute with confidence.

Uncertainty may be a given right now, but with the right partner, your signage program doesn’t have to stall. Let’s get ahead of it—together.