He reroofed part of the house and there are 2 bags of shingles left over and they are opened. He also bought twice as much insulation that can't be used...We have a lot of work to do, but if there is going to be that much overbuying and throwing it away, would I be better off to change my contract to labor only with us furnishing the materials????
2006-10-02 08:23:25 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Yes!! If you have a contractor hired to do the work, he will give you a list of materials if you ask for it. If you don't ask, he will purchase more than is needed to do your job to save time and keep from going to get more materials. Most contractors will upcharge the price of materials as well. We had the same situation that you are facing and quite frankly, I have been ripped off more than one time. We replaced our roof early this year in the spring and I went and purchased the material myself after getting measurements of the roof. We saved quite a bit. Ask you contractor for a list of needed materials for the project and then tell him you will be getting the supplies for the job yourself. What is he going to do,? Quit?
2006-10-02 10:22:19 · answer #1 · answered by Gussyellis41 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a self-employed carpenter, so I sometimes see the bills larger contractors pay for materials. There is no simple yes or no answer, but in your case the contractor probably doesn't get a discount like some big construction companies get on materials. Most small contractors get materials from the same places you would get them and pay the same prices you pay, and I suspect that is the case in your situation. While anyone can make mistakes, it sounds to me like the person who bought the extra insulation does not have the mathematical ability I believe is necessary to do good work, and this will show in other ways. If he does know the math he should, beware of this guy. In saying this I assume he did bill you for both the extra insulation and shingles and you have reciepts for them you can use when you comparison shop at local home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes.
2006-10-02 08:48:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES it is much cheaper to buy materials yourself! Most contractors mark up the items by at least 20%. Though they DO get a contractor's discount at most stores, it does equal more money for YOU to pay for materials.
Always discuss this up front with contractors. Discuss the cost of the items and if you can purchase the items yourself. A lot of contractors prefer certain brands, which you of course can get yourself.
For left over shingles, just hang on to them. You might have a roof repair or add on to the house, a porch, etc. Insulation can always be used elsewhere!
Good luck!
2006-10-02 08:31:46 · answer #3 · answered by misstiaemail 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
absolutely you will save money they do get a discount but not that much but they usually charge dlb. the tax on the materials just tell them you'll buy the materials yourself. you can take measurements to the store with ya and they'll help you estimate the materials for ya the only time you want extras are for siding and roofing normally you can take back materials but if opened or couple used you can't i know you can do this w/ shingles done it plenty of times don't be afraid of asking questions either the more you ask the more you learn
Wife of self-employed contractor
2006-10-02 08:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by Amy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you allready under an agreement, contract with said party? Is he State Licensed and Certified Contractor? 2 bags of opened shingles is par for the course on most roof Full Roof Jobs.
2006-10-02 09:00:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tricky, because the contractor usually gets a discount, but then marks items up for you. If he doesn't get to mark the materials up, his labor estimate will increase...
How about a plan to approve all purchases and estimates before the contractor makes another purchase?
good luck!
2006-10-02 08:29:47 · answer #6 · answered by deepseaofblankets 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
in most cases yes.. you would save.. i'm helping one of my friends out with a house now.. anyway the one thing that is hard to find a good deal with is the sheetrock, i found it would be cheeper to deal with contractor... as for the left over thats one way of the contractor to make more money, he will most likey reuse the leftovers if you do not keep them your slef. I would keep the left over most stuff that would be usefull.
2006-10-02 08:35:54 · answer #7 · answered by mark 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2016-10-15 10:53:23 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you will save money..
2006-10-02 08:32:27 · answer #9 · answered by shoot.bang 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋