Another value that contractors can bring to the table is their existing arrangements with their materials suppliers.
Typically, many specialty materials stores will offer one retail price to the weekend renovation warrior and a lower price to the every day contractor. In some cases, these reduced contractor prices can be based on the volume of business a contractor brings to the materials supplier.
Take our new en suite. We knew that we wanted the floor to be tiled, as well as the bathtub enclosure and of course the shower stall. So, our primary contractor told us he could get us contractor pricing by just mentioning his name at a certain local ceramic tile store. We went to the store, said 'Bruce sent us' to which the store manager said 'Bruce who?" :-), to which we replied 'You know, Bruce XXXX, the tall, handsome, good looking, super honest, renovator"...to which the store manager said 'Ah, yes, that Bruce!'.
So, we choose our tile, and when we went to pay for the tiles, grout, etc., there it was...20% Contractor's discount right on the invoice. And, this is not a unique situation. Building materials suppliers live and die on volume. Individual contractors are going to buy more than an individual home owner. So, the suppliers will encourage the contract to do business with them by offering contractors lower prices than the general public.
Yes, you still need to do your own homework. Still comparison shop. Go to at leat one more supply store that you pick out (not one from your contractor). You do need to ensure that the store to which your contractor sent you does not have inflated prices, does not have a limited selection, and so on.
In our case, it turned out that our contractor's preferred tile store was one that we has prior dealings with.
Isn't it nice when there is a happy ending?
To see more of our home renovation adventures and what we have learned, simply go to our blog, Daily Home Renovation Tips, at the link below.
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