What materials do you use? Windows, doors, siding etc..

Question

I'm still doing research and working on saving money in order to invest into real estate some day. I'm curious to what materials YOU use and where do you usually buy them from? As in windows, doors, siding, drywall etc..

Do you buy the same window for every house you do that needs windows? Do you buy the same doors? Do you usually buy the same brand of siding? I figure using the same brand/type would benefit one in the long run because they can put a system in place because they know that product in and out. But, maybe I'm wrong. Discuss!

As far as buying materials, do you buy from the same store usually? Once you establish a relationship with the store do they give you a discount? Ex. you've spent over $100,000 on materials from the store.

Account Closed · Answer

I buy my stuff from Home Depot (I have a commercial account with them), Lowe's (though they are testing me - I have a stove and fridge bought March 23 that STILL hasn't been delivered and based on conversations this morning is at least a week out), and MFS Supply.com.

MFS Supply has reasonable prices on everything from appliances to cabinets and anything else related to REI and Property Management.  The issue is they deliver via common carrier so you need to be there when the carrier is ready to deliver.

With relation to types of materials...it depends on the project.  I have to be honest, living in Denver, and watching the market nothing frustrates me more than a cookie cutter flip.  Here's what I consider cookie cutter-

• Gray walls with white trim
• Home Depot Cabinets with either the Home Depot Green or Brown Counter Tops
• Brown tile in the Bathroom with White Cabinets
• Brushed metal fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom

...the funny part about all this, friends of mine were looking to buy their first house.  I was showing them pics of a rehab I did - I used this sink and cabinet (in white) because it was what fit in the bathroom....

Glacier Bay Chelsea

The first comment was "why is it that everyone uses that same style - are they lower priced".  I explained I bought the set on sale for $129.

Two weeks later I was talking to someone that did a tile job in a house - he was showing me pics of the brown tile he put in the bathroom - that exact vanity and sink in the picture.

Stay away from the cookie cutter type stuff - create something different and appealing that your buyer or renter would like that sets you apart.

Bob Okenwa · Answer

@Andrew Johnson

It depends what you define as "a lot" I like to check every SKU at least once or twice a month and since I put my spreadsheet together a few months ago (probably 6 months or so), I've only seen like 2 or 3 items change. My spreadsheet is probably 130 lines or so in Excel and I'd say a good 40 to 50 of those things are Home Depot items. If it's on sale or something you know you're going to need, I'd keep extra material available. As you've stated, breakage is inevitable. Some people may not like to sit on inventory, but in this business, things like that are sure to be used at some point in the future.

Bob Okenwa · Answer

@John Burtle

You can set up Pro accounts at stores like Home Depot and Lowe's and they'll give you discounts on materials you buy in bulk and/or over a certain dollar amount you spend. If you find something that works for you in terms of materials, stick to it. No need to try and create some sculpted piece of art out of a house and put your own fancy designs into it. You always have to follow what the market wants. It's best in the long run to stick to a formula and that formula includes using the same materials and finishes over and over until something better or more cost-efficient comes along or design trends change. I have a spreadsheet of basically every single design/finish item I plan to use from flooring to door knobs to light bulbs along with the SKU, price, store name, and website link.

Brenda B. · Answer

I'll be following this post to see what responses you receive-so far I've done well buying from the classifieds, Craig's List and Facebook local selling groups. But I live in Aspen, CO so there are a lot of extensive remodeling projects around here where super fancy materials are left over- we bought 1000 sq ft flooring for $600, a Samsung stainless frig for $350, stainless like new dishwasher for $125; over the years we've gotten new bathroom fixtures & lighting, etc. We have a Restore/Habitat for Humanity that sells very nice appliances, doors, windows, flooring, light fixtures etc. We are just doing one house at a time so this system would not work for the high volume flippers.

Brenda B. · Answer

Account Closed Thanks for your comments and example on cookie cutter flips. That house looks like EVERY OTHER HOUSE. It's interesting how they staged the house but then the bedroom, one of the most important rooms, has ratty comforts flopped on the bed. I think they should've spent time on landscaping to dress up that beat up yard- that would have really made a difference. I get offended when someone (not so much in this example) takes a nice old house and rather than bring out some of it's original features they cover them up with flooring or paint or gross vinyl siding. There was a 100 yr old house in De Beque, CO that had beautiful stone on the outside- a rehab co bought it for $35k, slapped paint, vinyl siding, flooring, new appliances and tore down the old garage that was in the driveway- & sold it three months later for $120k. I'm still appalled that they covered up the front with ugly beige vinyl siding.

Account Closed · Answer

Here's a perfect example of what I mean by "cookie cutter flip" (and I forgot to mention the Jeld Weld hollow core Home Depot doors).

http://www.recolorado.com/homes-for-sale/1385-S-Raritan-Street-Denver-CO-80223-202634396

Account Closed · Answer

I come from a new construction  background so that probably skews my view.  I buy most of my items from Lowe's thru contractor sales. There are many stores in my area and it is mostly a one stop shop. Prices are good and it's an easy in and out. I put a value on my time. If I run across a great deal I will take it but I don't spend days rooting around bargain outlets

Brenda B. · Answer

@Bob Okenwa That's a great point- and there's a reason that people are choosing a similar color scheme, appliances and floor plans-but it was a little shocking to see how they all really do look the same. It does take a little bit of the heat off of me- if I decide to sell this house we just bought, I won't have to spend too much time on figuring out paint colors/decor! 👍🏼

Bob Okenwa · Answer

@Brenda B.

I understand where you're coming from, but in the flip game, you need to appeal to the largest amount of buyers at the lower to middle price points. At least where I'm at you do. In Phoenix, you only see the custom detail in historic homes (1910's -1940's. Don't laugh, Phoenix isn't an old city nor is AZ on old state lol. 1940's homes qualify as historic here for some reason) or upper-end homes. If you stray too far from neighborhood norms for regular resale or rehabbed homes, your house can sit for months due to a design aesthetic that doesn't match consumer demand.

What materials do you use? Windows, doors, siding etc..

Most Popular Reply