Should I have my contractor buy material?

[Daimyan Hutchison]

I'm debating whether or not I should let my contractor buy the materials for the job. What do you guys recommend I should do to go about this the right way?

[JD Martin]

Depends on the material and depends on the job.

Pros: 

1. It's easy to determine labor costs for the job.

2. You can be sure that the material is going to your job and not some other job.

3. You can pick out specific material when necessary.

Cons:

1. You might buy the wrong thing or too much/too little.

2. You may not get the pricing a contractor can get, or be able to buy from places contractors can buy.

3. It absolves the contractor of any responsibility when it comes to material quality, appropriate, etc.