Midland , TX · Member since 2012 · 24 posts · 1 vote
Hello All
My wife and I are buying several low income houses to expand our portfolio and try new areas. While I like purchasing homes at cheaper prices, there is a lot more work that come into getting them ready. I have been reading on the Lowes and Home Depot web sites about contractor discounts. I am sure some of you use them, and I would be very interested in hearing your feedback.
Contractor · washington, Washington D.C. · Member since 2011 · 204 posts · 64 votes
12y
Lowes and depot do it but check with some of your other company if you are doing large purchase. you can fax the bid over to your local lumber yards and be shocked on what they can save you . I use the home Depto alot at times 84 lumber at times tw perry I am a builder and Lowes and Depot do not allways have the best price if you want to get the best bang for your buck and you have the time send it out to three or four vendors. We send it out for our stone cabinets appliance paint etc I pay with my american express so if something is damage or stolen not a problem or if I have a problem they handle it like the mob plus with the points I use it to take me a trip with the family after every three or four big jobs, Good luck to you.
Specialist · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2015 · 26 posts · 7 votes
11y
Hi all - I realize I'm a little late to this thread but... I've been working as a purchasing agent for the property management & rehab industry for about 3 years. Recently, I formed a buying group that would be able to help you save 40% or more on paint through either Behr OR Sherwin Williams plus significant discounts on everything else you buy (Appliances, parts, plumbing & fixtures, flooring, blinds, etc.). In addition, I believe I can get you in touch with the right people to start saving you 10% off your emergency and one-off purchases @ your local Home Depot. There would be no cost to you and all I'd ask in return is maybe a nice word or two.
Also... sorry if shameless self promotion isn't allowed on here. Does anyone ever read the rules and regs before joining an internet forum though?
How would you go about finding local wholesalers? How do they typically name their businesses? I'd love to get better pricing for projects but have no idea how to start.
Contractor · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2013 · 143 posts · 36 votes
11y
@Rebecca Mickler
I suppose you could google building material wholesalers in your area. Do you have any friends or family members who are in the building trades? They also may be able to shed some light on your local scene.
I've recently been approved for a project loan with home depot. I would like to remodel my kitchen and/or Bathroom. Has anyone ever used their project loan, do you have to use one of their contractor or can you use the money to find one on your own? do you have to buy the supply from home depot. I've been reading about how much more home depot chargers for the same work that others may do cheaper up to 20% less. Please if anyone has use home depot for their remodeling please let me know how it went, would you recommend them or you which you had gone with an outside contractor.
I've recently been approved for a project loan with home depot. I would like to remodel my kitchen and/or Bathroom. Has anyone ever used their project loan, do you have to use one of their contractor or can you use the money to find one on your own? do you have to buy the supply from home depot. I've been reading about how much more home depot chargers for the same work that others may do cheaper up to 20% less. Please if anyone has use home depot for their remodeling please let me know how it went, would you recommend them or you which you had gone with an outside contractor.
Flipper/Rehabber · Vincentown, NJ · Member since 2016 · 57 posts · 13 votes
9y
I use Lowes and pre-order 90% of what I need. Average a 13-15% discount at pro desk. I have a gold card but never use it because there is no further discount or perks. I pay materials with sparks card has a great cash reward
Investor · Atascadero, CA · Member since 2015 · 238 posts · 90 votes
9y
@Justin Escajeda I see you are a contractor. I had a friend who is a contractor set me up with Famous Supply to be able to order from them directly. Didn't know I would be able to do that since I am not a GC but just overseeing my own projects. Are there other companies that you would recommend that a newby like me may not know about?
@Ryan Lott how does the purchasing group work? And is it only in the Chicago area?
@Justin Escajeda I see you are a contractor. I had a friend who is a contractor set me up with Famous Supply to be able to order from them directly. Didn't know I would be able to do that since I am not a GC but just overseeing my own projects. Are there other companies that you would recommend that a newby like me may not know about?
@Ryan Lott how does the purchasing group work? And is it only in the Chicago area?
@Justin Escajeda I see you are a contractor. I had a friend who is a contractor set me up with Famous Supply to be able to order from them directly. Didn't know I would be able to do that since I am not a GC but just overseeing my own projects. Are there other companies that you would recommend that a newby like me may not know about?
@Ryan Lott how does the purchasing group work? And is it only in the Chicago area?
You can use an account and MOST buyer/contractor will be happy to provide those to you, what they do is open a location/job account and you can charge/pay there. This will count on their relationship (and that translate to $ in gross receipts) with the vendor. Block buying is one way to build that relationship, but to go across state/region line might be tough to sell, normally vendors like behr or dunn edwards or any other national vendors have their regional divisions. Some go through a central location but most have their own quota per rep all the way to regional. For example PPG (formerly Glidden, the paint from home depot), you need to be a national account in order to get national discount across the board, and that means hundreds of thousands of gallons per year -- but if we purchase from that account, there is a set price per gallon on any store we purchase ~ 55-60% off. Same goes to Ferguson plumbing about 50-70% off on high price items (say 1 item is more than $8000), but normally goes 50% off shelf price.