Buy smart, and all of those are covered (and then some).Hmmm..my typing box is now covering your response and I can't move it so I forget what else you said :) You are right about supply and demand here, and trust me, West LA and all of those won't help you suddenly with cash flow with cheaper prices. 

That's about as close to a "rule of thumb" as I have in my mental tool box.

I have a Ford E350 van with tools organized into tool boxes by trade or type of repair.

Hello Yes I agree we all need to start thinking outside the box.

In this business, contracts and forms are the business, get what you need, carry some spares in a box in your vehicles, don't forget a decent pen!

They can usually beat the box stores by 10-45% depending on the item.

For smaller projects you may make a good credit partner, but most reputable developers will probably already have this box checked and thus I am not sure how you'll provide value.

You got to go out-of-the-box.

He will also require you to bring trash bags and boxes.

. $50 more on sale items out of a unique lighting store over the mid-upper end at a box store makes a good impression.