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OBBBA Tax Credit Changes: What Multifamily and Commercial Developers and Lenders Need to Know
The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly accelerates the phase-out of several clean energy tax incentives. These changes have immediate implications for multifamily housing (garden-style, mid-rise, and high-rise), townhomes, and commercial properties such as office and retail buildings.

Lucas Giacalone
Aug 264 min read


Enterprise Green Communities 2026 Draft: What You Need to Know
Deadline for comments: August 27, 2025 About every five years, the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria (EGCC) is updated—something that has big implications for NYC and NYS affordable housing projects, since HPD and HCR align their Sustainability Guidelines with EGC certification. The full draft of the 2026 Criteria is now open for public comment. Whether you're a developer, architect, engineer, or housing advocate, this is your chance to weigh in. The proposed updates a

Lucas Giacalone
Jul 303 min read


July 14, 2025 Update: Tariff Impacts on Construction Costs
We’re shifting gears. No more long narratives or speculative forecasting. Now that we're squarely in the midst of tariff implementation, we're focusing on clear, digestible data that helps you track real-time cost impacts to construction.

Lucas Giacalone
Jul 142 min read


NYSERDA’s Buildings of Excellence Round 6: $15M Now Available for High-Performance Multifamily Projects in New York
If you’re planning a multifamily new construction project in New York State, now is the time to act. NYSERDA has officially launched Round 6 of its Buildings of Excellence Competition for innovative, low-carbon residential buildings.

Lucas Giacalone
Jul 92 min read


Weekly Tariff & Construction Cost Snapshot As of July 7, 2025
# KOW Building Consultants — Weekly Tariff & Construction Cost Snapshot As of July 7, 2025 Use this data at your own risk 🔥 Current Concern Level: High Ongoing tensions in Iran, Gulf shipping risks, EU tariff uncertainty, and rising oil prices keep construction cost volatility elevated . 📈 Estimated Construction Cost Increases (due to 2025 tariffs) Building Type Added Cost Change vs Last Week Wood-Framed +3% – 5% ➡️ (steady) Poured Concrete +5% – 8% ➡️ (steady) Structura

Lucas Giacalone
Jul 82 min read
Weekly Update on Tariffs and U.S. Construction CostsAs of July 1, 2025
Prepared by KOW Building Consultants | Use this data at your own risk Overall Concern Level: High Due to persistent geopolitical tensions (Iran conflict), unresolved EU tariffs , and rising oil prices, cost uncertainty remains elevated in the U.S. construction sector. Construction Cost Impacts from 2025 Tariffs: Building Type Estimated Cost Increase Change from Last Week Wood-Framed 3% – 5% 0% Poured-in-Place Concrete 5% – 8% 0% Structural Steel 8% – 12% 0% These estimates

Lucas Giacalone
Jul 22 min read
June 23, 2025, Update on Tariffs and U.S. Construction Costs
Due to escalating geopolitical tensions, evolving trade agreements, and newly imposed tariffs, construction cost uncertainty remains high across the United States. This week’s update highlights the key developments driving material prices and outlines what construction lenders, developers, and contractors should monitor next.

Lucas Giacalone
Jun 233 min read


Tariff Risk Update - June 2, 2025
The following is an update on where I believe things are headed regarding U.S. tariffs and how they may impact construction costs nationwide. To help clarify risk levels, I use a personal 10-point index, with 1 being the lowest risk and 10 the highest. This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or cost predictions. Use this data at your own risk.

Lucas Giacalone
Jun 23 min read
Tariff Risk Update – May 19, 2025
With the 90-day trade truce between the U.S. and China still in effect, pressure from aggressive tariffs has eased—but uncertainty remains high. While some material prices are stabilizing, underlying supply chain issues and rising labor costs continue to drive project risk.

Lucas Giacalone
May 193 min read


Tariff Construction Risk Update – May 12, 2025
Following major trade talks between the U.S. and China, we’re beginning to see some easing of tariff-related pressure—but uncertainty still clouds the outlook.

Lucas Giacalone
May 123 min read


Tariff Risk Update – May 2025
As part of our ongoing effort to monitor tariff-related risks, we’re continuing to track the shifting international trade landscape and its effect on U.S. construction.

Lucas Giacalone
May 44 min read
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