Even as the cost of consumer goods continues to rise, the price of raw materials and commodities is also going up at a rapidly expanding pace.
The cost of aluminum and steel used to make building roofs is up 12-percent over the past couple of weeks, according to National Association of Homebuilders figures.
Lance Thrailkill of AMetal.com says troubles began for his metal fabrication business "after Super Bowl Sunday when Trump Tweeted his intention to put a 25% tariff -- prices on aluminum shot up the next day.
"Up 30-percent...now up to 40%!"
Business is keeping up with demand, he says, but the tariffs introduced volatility into what's normally been a relatively stable market, especially when compared to other commodities.
One big problem is that prices for raw metals can vary so much in just one day that Thrailkill has to change his price quotes daily to keep up with varying wholesale prices.
"Normally the metals market is very stable, and prices may go up 5- or 10-percent, but it doesn't make as big a difference to justify having to re-quote everything, but right now we're having to re-quote everything."
But he admits he's hoping for the best and maybe President Trump can reach some deals to settle some tariffs.
"The worst thing that could happen is a 50-percent tariff on Canada imported aluminum, that would be just horrible.
"And we're for putting tariffs on China. We need to level the playing field there."