WWYD - Purchasing Through Contractor/Designer

If you work with a designer/contractor to work on your remodel, do they help you to make some purchases such as windows, doors, tiles, vanities, etc.?

Probably not all, but what if they offer to help you make the purchases and you know you can get better prices elsewhere?

Would you still purchase through them?

I'm so torn now 'cus I'm working with a designer who said she can purchase my remodel products for me but everytime she prices items, they are higher than what I can get on my own...

Re: WWYD - Purchasing Through Contractor/Designer

It should be cheaper through her not more expensive. I am remodeling a large house (five bedrooms, a kitchen, and four bathrooms). I am working with a contractor and a kitchen/bath designer. They are getting items at least 20 percent cheaper for me.

Re: WWYD - Purchasing Through Contractor/Designer

Did you do price comparison before making the purchases through the designer/contractor?

I compared my designer's prices online at places like faucetdirect.com and artwalktile.com and find the items cheaper online. It's very disappointing...

Ie. my designer priced out tiles and they came to 2x more than what I can get from artwalktile.com. And other items like appliances are 10-20% more. :(

Re: WWYD - Purchasing Through Contractor/Designer

how are you paying your designer?

partially, I think that could be your problem.

generally designers design a space for you for a fee and a percentage mark up on the materials used.

the other problem is that online suppliers are really just that much cheaper than the brick and mortor suppliers. I found that especially on bath and kitchen items. Blackman and Green art not only are significantly more, but at least blackman refused to even discuss matching prices or discounting from the quoted price.
I got frustrated and annoyed at their atitude, especially since when going to their showroom they only had a handful of faucets from Delta, the manufacurer I was looking at and basically was picking from a catalog, which was what I did before I got there.

back closer to your origional question, the designer needs to make money for the time she spends designing your job, picking out the materials etc. if you're not paying for this in full some other way, they normally are making it as a mark up on materials.

Contractors work basically thje same way, they source materials, and charge a mark up. generally for that mark up, they are supposed to be insuring that the product will fit, be on site at the right time in the job, have all the pieces needed there for the install, and if it is damaged, be able to fix the situation through a quick exchange.

Not saying you can't work with online suppliers, but it definately works easier and better on some things than others and the last thing you want is to have the tile guy waiting for your tile, or be 10sqft short b/c the bottom box looked fine, but when opened it was cracked and replacements are 3 weeks away.

Re: WWYD - Purchasing Through Contractor/Designer

I paid my designer in full already... She said she would credit back the entire amount if I order from her things like cabinets, tiles, and appliances.

I ended up finding that her prices for those items are all higher than what I can get online and other stores so bought most of them elsewhere. But I'm feeling guilty that I didn't buy anything through her now...

I don't regret paying her already since she gave me plans and made alot of suggestions on products to get. But I just can't justify ordering more products through her and paying higher prices for the same products I can get for less, even accounting for any credit she's giving back.