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But steel and aluminum tariffs and rising labor costs may put the squeeze on the bottom line

Modest increases in labor, steel and cement costs offset a spike in lumber prices

With many contractors seeing a return to healthy margins at a time of high construction activity, executives are reaping the rewards. 

Trade war! What is it good for? Whether absolutely nothing or something else, construction will start to find out March 23 when a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum proposed on March 8 by President Donald Trump takes effect.

Driven by rising construction activity, an opinion survey of contractors, fleet managers, equipment dealers and rental shops is showing a generally positive outlook for the U.S. construction equipment market in the next year.

Tariffs on lumber and steel spur price spikes, while cement and wages see modest increase