Anyone able to get good discounts on bulk buys at Menards/Home Depot

[Brandon Hicks]

I'm closing on a 12 unit apartment complex in the next couple of weeks and plan on rehabbing all 12 one-bed units in the same finishes and products as the units open up. Theyre pretty rough now so I'll be needing 24 entry doors, 14 or 15 sets of entry locks (extras for swapping at turns), flooring, light fixtures, 12 kitchen countertops and backsplashs, lots of fridges, ranges, hoods and the list goes on.

Has anyone had any success buying in bulk and negotiating a discount? If so, what kinds of deals have you gotten?

I have the storage room to handle 24 doors until I need them and so on if they can make it worth my while to buy them all upfront.

[Andrew Cordle]

@Brandon Hicks

Yeah I play golf with a President from HD, who is the National Real Estate Investor Rep. 

That is all he does, which is work with REI investors across the nation to figure out the best way to get them what they need and how they need it at the best price.

If you want I can put you in touch with this guy just PM me. 

FYI I GET NO KICKBACK WHATSOEVER 

Andrew

[Andy Robison]

Originally posted by @Andrew Cordle:

@Brandon Hicks

Yeah I play golf with a President from HD, who is the National Real Estate Investor Rep. 

I need to start playing golf.

[Andrew Cordle]

@Andy Robison

Well to be fair, we met on some of my job sites....:) but we play golf all the time now. 

I have introduced him to several medium size and large REI. Sometimes he will fly out from corporate and meet with you and take a look at your projects just to really understand what you are doing and how they can better work with you.

He is not a local PAR if you know what that is from HD. I have one of those as well but he is much much higher than a PAR. 

AC

[Michael Seeker]

@Andrew Cordle - that's a pretty sweet golf buddy to have!

@Brandon Hicks - I've primarily done my shopping at Lowes and would  recommend looking at their LAR account if Lowes is an option for you.  You don't have to do any negotiating, you just get 5% off everything.  I've also had success using this with contractors where they can pick up materials for me (it's nice to not have to spend 1-2 hours picking everything out, checking out and delivering materials).

As for the locks...you should check out www.landlordlocks.com.  Their website isn't very flashy, but the locks they sell are awesome!  I doubt they'll give you any bulk discount but it couldn't hurt to ask and you'll be happy as heck to have a master key for those 12 units!  If you don't want to go that route, look for a local locksmith that will do them for you and give you a master key.  You shouldn't have to juggle 12+ keys to get into your property when needed!

[Michael Noto]

@Andrew Cordle  That is a heck of a connect, but like you said you were out there doing your thing and cultivated a relationship.  That's a good story.

[Jeremy Tillotson]

@Brandon Hicks menards has a contractor sales program, so just go talk to them and tell them you are about to rehab 12 apartments. They should be more than willing to work with you. Another link I have posted in below, you have to buy in bulk but its worth the savings. I still use wilmar and use them back in my JOB days. I hear that Maintenance USA is competitive.

http://www.wilmar.com/

http://e-musa.com/

[Jeremy Tillotson]

@Brandon Hicks Never have to change locks again, I like them, only a little extra I paid $22.00 a piece for deadbolts, and don't use locking door knobs (cant lock themselves out)

http://www.kwikset.com/SmartSecurity/Key-Control.aspx

[Brandon Hicks]

Thanks for all the info guys and I'll look into the suggestions a little more. I'm definitely a bigger fan of Menards so I'll start with talking to the contractor sales guys first.

[Sharad M.]

@Brandon Hicks 

I buy majority of my supplies from HD and HD definitely gives bulk discount. Sign up for their Pro Account and run everything through the Pro Account. When I buy from HD, I always get at least a 10% discount on all items except paint on which I get 20% discount, so savings add up.