Please double check what I have stated with each supplier, as I have stated what I experienced a year ago and the policies of the providers listed may have changed.Best Regards, Dean

I managed my subs, worked with engineers, found good suppliers etc.

It may be our market and/or supplier, but this is usually roughly half the cost of the Trex and similar composite or PVC rail systems.

Reputable contractors that do regular work have Net 30 accounts with suppliers in your area, so they don't need to pay up front for material to get started, which means you really shouldn't either. 

Long story short he worked out a warranty deal with his supplier and only charged me a service fee of $75.

I still buy used appliances, but my supplier has all grades from cheap green and ugly all the way up to higher-end stainless units.It is a delicate game.

If you want to spend less and still have granite see if the local supplier has 2cm granite instead of 3cm, it is a little less expensive, but usually only comes in one or two colors.

I might adjust a little for "medium slope" and it also depends on how close it is to a localized labor force and materials suppliers.

I am buying the lumber materials for 2 duplexes at a time and having it direct shipped so supplier does not handle.

Keep in mind that with the big box stores, manufacturers often just give their product a different name.Curious, doesn't your contractor have supplier relationships from which they would use to source the material?