The local hardware stores and big box stores sell materials, they hire local workers.

I have been involved in litigation in the past when a subcontractor ordered materials from China and the formaldehyde levels in the products were not satisfactory to the buyers of the units when they did their own testing and they filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit. 

Just so you know on my newest purchase I am looking for renovation money as well as financing and the bank is looking for formal quotes as to the materials needed and the amount/cost of the labor that will be involved.

Very old, so to rebuild with exact materials exceeded the maximum on the original residential policy I had in place with Andover after their inspection. 

I plan to build versus buy because Im currently working for my father, who is a general contractor in Fl, and will save on the construction costs because I can do most of the work for little cost other than materials. it would be minimum labor cost and no profit cost from contractor.

I feel you need to get by the work you have put in plus your value added material and expertise.

One began selling custom flip flops, (bought their own material with money saved), Another who was always encouraged with a camera, attempted to take pics for young people proms, birthdays etc.Then they helped me with a former biz of cleaning up HUD properties during the housing crisis on early 2000’s.Next, but not all of the details for sake of my response.

Composite materials are another option; they’re durable and low-maintenance, but they cost more initially.

We used the insurance company's preferred vendor for the smoke remediation… but we ‘made out like bandits’ on the painting / fixture replacement because they were wrote up  like $8,000 for the work and it probably took us 20 hours of work and $750 in materials to put things back together.  

No marketing material contained an ARV or Repair Cost.