Breezygirl - your situation sounds a lot like how ours will end up. I have no problem with the GC making a reasonable amt of money....just not wholey at my expense. (well, obviously the entire house is our expense, but I don't think he should be allowed to tack on more just because he can). I too think it is ridiculous that the plumber (or tiler, or electrician, or whomever) will charge more to install our own supplied product, but I guess if that is the norm, than there is much I can do about it. Again I do trust our GC, and it is his building company too. Unfortunately, due to code laws and bank restrictions, we are not allowed to GC our own project. Though it would certainly be nice if we could. DH has done his homework, so I have no concerns that he could handle it, IF he could get the time off of work, etc. However, it is a non-issue. We are planning to iron out all the specs and supply specifics at our next sit down. Thanks to all of you who suggested various potential ways to get around this. Such as agreeing to "void his warranty" on those products he did not supply. For the few things we already have, I guess we will have to way the consequences once we learn them (potential labor markup from installer, nullify warranty, etc) versus the potential savings of what we have. Obviously we could try and sell them somewhere, but these are products we really would like to incorporate into our house. Mamabear - we have sat down with him several times since his dx. In the final contract, he will give us the name of someone he trusts (whom he has already spoken with about our project) to finish if necessary. Hopefully it will not come to that, but again there is also the concern (as there could be with anyone I guess) of who will be around for problems after the build is finished. Luckily, our guy has been in this business for over 25 years and has worked with many of the same guys all this time, several of whom are actually part of his company. I can't remember specifically whom he subcontracts out, but I know he has his own framers, roofers (he does some of this), plumbers, etc so hopefully even if he is not around, they still would work to his high standards. Thanks all!

If the painters are done, I will go shoot a photo or two of our 1970's stained cabinets tomorrow. Since we redid the counters, actual granite, we had the painters take them down to wood (sealed unfortunately) restained and fresh finish. They actually look pretty good for apartments. In my own place I have always preferred white cabinets. For tenants, I want what will clean or hide their sins. At this property I have 48 units, 88 bathrooms, 120 bedrooms to deal with, plus the rental houses and thankfully no more frat house. And 20 years experience. Seal in the interiors of the cabinets too, especially the drawers. Stainless steel Top mount sinks, (moen faucets) in the bathrooms, order the all wood cabinets and buy a top you can top mount a replacement sink (moen single handle faucet) Check out HDsupplysolutions

Stained cabinets with a proper water resistant/proof seal coat are much much less upkeep...but I too, get weary of encouraging folks to love the wood. Somehow laminate Ikea MDF board has taken over the youth who are building or flipping homes,and I am certain the paint factories are just loving it. Example: For 7 years, a good friend I have known. In 7 years, she has painted her cabinets 3 times! 'because they needed it'. For the First 30 years the house had stained cabinets...3 coats(more than that)3 painting events later, she just HIRED someone, to come in and replace the doors, and have them painted. In 7 years, 4 painting events in a kitchen. .. Would DRIVE ME CRAZY. Painting doors and drawers and hinges or removing hardware etc etc ....eliminate the kitchen totally and just have open stainless steel shelves(which you can dust weekly)with drawer under the stainless steel work surfaces. LOL. Red oak is very pretty and there is ALOT of it in this area, stained cabinets...WHite oak is nicer, BUT, harder to find for the export market gets most of it. Red Oak floors are very pretty. BUT you have to SAND IT SAND IT SAND IT. Oak is the most common wood in homes the past 40 years, with a sprinkling of ASH, Birch, and hickory, also, so that was news to me. And you do not want to finish it with a red tinged stain, likely... But, at least you did not have your cabinets built with 'stain grade' wood to 'save money'. THAT is a mess to paint. Voids and knotholes about, and if you are going to use 'paint grade' wood for your cabinets, than just plan on enjoying the rustic look in your home, which alot of people do enjoy. But few cabinet makers will reveal what those folks are really getting themselves into..

Search up " hardwood floor supply near me" . You should be able to find local distributors near you that can help you out. Currently unfinished oak ranges from $5. to $6. per square feet for 2 1/4" select grade flooring. The $6 range will have better mill work and less shorter boards.