For light ends (pulls, towel racks, etc) I use amazon branded things.
For bathroom fixtures I go long term plan wise, as in Toto. Moen makes good products also and cartridges are all a swap for those (warranty).
Lights I have a local supplier. 2 rules: no oddball lightbulb sizes and nothing ultra trendy.
No floating vanities. First 20 something to rail his old lady on one will cost you a fortune in water damage.
Throw at least one usb receptacle in each bedroom beside where the bed will likely be. One in living, and one in kitchen not near a water source. Cheapest way to impress a millennial I’ve found so far.
For light ends (pulls, towel racks, etc) I use amazon branded things.
For bathroom fixtures I go long term plan wise, as in Toto. Moen makes good products also and cartridges are all a swap for those (warranty).
Lights I have a local supplier. 2 rules: no oddball lightbulb sizes and nothing ultra trendy.
No floating vanities. First 20 something to rail his old lady on one will cost you a fortune in water damage.
Throw at least one usb receptacle in each bedroom beside where the bed will likely be. One in living, and one in kitchen not near a water source. Cheapest way to impress a millennial I’ve found so far.
I like Lowe’s for lights and faucets. Lowe’s tends to have better “style” than HD. IKEA is good for vanities. I do Lowe’s cabinets or I order RTA from a local supplier. In KC we have a regional store called Menards that is also good. Somethings you can purchase online from Amazon or you can buy lights from places like wayfair. The 80/20 on rehab is LABOR so you really want mid-level quality materials that last.
@Clint G. if you have enough time scour the used websites like let-go and Craigslist and there are many others like Facebook Marketplace is fantastic in my area New York City people are constantly moving in and out of New York City Apartments these are high-net-worth people and the deals are truly unbelievable you just have to be available quickly sometimes to get the merchandise however the savings could be thousands of dollars per unit so don't discount those types of places my first rental property I bought everything new five years later I bought everything used and I don't regret it.
I use Home Depot. It is close by and I don't have time to worry about saving $10. Plus I am a veteran and get 10% off everything I buy there. They also have a fuel rewards program on top of that.
I have found a place near me that buys all Home Depot and Lowes and many others returns, discontinued, out of style and season merchandise by truckload in pallets. I get it for pennies on dollars. I was able to upgrade my rentals to class A style with marble and granite vanity tops with fancy sinks, faucets, light fixtures and solid wood vanities. I saved thousands of dollars and last three renovations I completed in last four months, I was able to raise rent by greater than $500 per door. I still cant believe it!! This was a blessing for me. from bath tubs, high end tiles, to ceiling fans...just about everything. Look around you many have someone near you as well. Scour the Facebook market place to locate them.
I've gotten a fair amount of stuff from https://discounthomefurnishing... including lav faucets, cabinet pulls and towel bars. Similar quality to home centers but cheaper. I think all the cheap faucets come from one Chinese factory. I recently replaced the cartridge in a Costco Water Ridge branded lav with one from HD marked for one of their Glacier Bay brands. I've had 3 kitchen faucets from Costco have their swing seize up recently, even though they have lifetime warranty it's a PITA to go through that. Been replacing with cheap Amazon stuff that looks luxury for ~$60. Parlos brand seems pretty nice, but I don't have a long term on it yet.
Sinks from the home centers, depends on what they have. Lowes stopped carrying my favorite porcelain bow front "Euro" lav. For toilets, don't overpay for premium brands! One of the best is also one of the cheapest: American Standard Cadet 3. Standard easy to service design but with a 3" flapper rather than old school 2". I have these in my home as well as rentals, never ever needs a 2nd flush.
1. Look for fixtures with easier installation. Even if they cost more, saving time is more important. Cheaper items are harder to install because they care more about cost than installer experience.
2. Buy Moen or Delta for lifetime warranty. They hold up better and if something goes wrong, they send out repair parts or replacement for free. I have had off brand fixtures fall apart within a year. So they cost half as much up front, but just a headache later. Focus on the best quality not the cheapest price. Any landlord who asks themselves "why am I always fixing things" odds are good it is because cheap parts where used.
3. Buy locally and get extra install supplies. Get different lengths of water supply lines, grab extra fittings, etc. Then just return what you don't use. The biggest time waster is extra trips for parts. It is easier to buy more than you need and return on your next visit. Online ordering can save you money, but if the item doesn't show up, comes broken or doesn't work out, it is way more effort to return versus a local store. That is if they even take the return online.
I buy many things in Amazon. Great prices and designs that you will not find at Lowes/Home Depot.
I am currently rehabbing an 80´s 7plex in South Texas and aim to attract younger professionals. Matte black fixtures, knobs, etc. will do part of the trick.
I almost never go to HD or Lowes for stuff like that. Too expensive and too cheap most of the time. Plumbing stuff you go to a plumbing supply store. Lighting is tougher but we have some stores around that cater to investors that have better quality stuff for better prices in Dallas.