I don’t think there’s any cost savings to pre-purchasing unless you happen upon a good deal, and have somewhere to keep the items during construction (eg buying appliances a year early isn’t a great idea unless the store will keep them because where would they go?). Whether what the builder offers will be a good value is really a matter of personal preference. Personally, I wouldn’t have been happy with builder grade light fixtures. My husband, on the other hand, probably wouldn’t have noticed.

You need to read the term and conditions of your construction contract.

Are you building a truly custom home or a tract home?

Sone contractor for custom home will allow owner purchased items. Tract home builders never

Custom Builders will get better prices for actual building materials if they purchase in volume, but for the items you are likely interested in like sinks, toilets, light fixtures, appliances they will not get prices better than you can on the open market. And they will likely mark them up if they are anyway involved in handling or transporting the items. However, your agreement must be clearly called out in a contract because it's possible that any price quoted to you might already include these items, and might be non negotiable.

Buying items yourself also makes you responsible for them. That includes getting them to the site in a timely manner( but not too early so they don;t get stolen) and also making sure the items are complete, undamaged and working.

Do you own the land? Do you have a big secure barn on site to store a bunch of things? Are you the GC? Do you know enough about construction to know what you are buying is the right product and not a non refundable future Craigslist post? That’s where all those Craigslist deals come from. People not knowing what they didn’t know, and then can’t use the things they bought.

People that have a high level of construction knowledge and who have the right location to store the things can sometimes find incredible bargains based on the mistakes of others. Which camp are you in? The savvy bargain hunter who already has the custom house fully specified to know exactly what you need? Or the person who accidentally bought 13 more pallets of shingles than needed?

You generally get to be the first by making the mistakes of the second. If this is your fourth house, you’ve probably made all the mistakes on the previous ones. If this is your first? Your mistakes could cost you more than you save.

You have to assess you.

Thanks for all the feedback. To answer some questions, it will be a fully custom home. Yes, I own the lot, no I don’t have a barn, no I’m not the GC. Good thoughts about the contract. I’m not talking about buying things like building materials. No shingles or tiles or anything like that. I’m talking if I see a nice stainless farm sink for the kitchen at a decent price, or a great deal on some nice bowl sinks for the bathroom, or a great deal on a new fridge. This stuff would be relatively easy for me to store. But I appreciate all of your responses.

Even as a licensed builder, when I tried that approach with plumbing it wasn't worth the effort other than for a few brands the plumbing sub didn't carry.

Still, my garage is now filled up with items I found at great prices--but with no place to go.

[NSFW]

Like this pile of laminate flooring being picked up tomorrow at half the current retail price.

The problems with owner purchased goods:

--They may be the wrong size or type;

--They may not be complete with all fittings and connections;

--They may not have safe storage space;

--They may not be returnable;

--They may cost more than fixtures with a GC discount;

--They may not be covered with the GC's warranty

Yada, yada.

It's why it's important to read your construction contract.

@worthy garage... its a struggle but I have some really cool outdated stuff heading to the new shop!

@Ken Ossowicz … careful and make sure its a true "deal" or closeout. Its common for large retailers to run discounts every 90-120 days or offer vouchers for other overpriced products to close your sale and grab your money before you spend it elsewhere. That is the real price as their "regular" price is artificially high planning for the discount. Big box & on-line retailers are pretty good at "gaming" the consumer making them believe they are like Wal Mart. Closeout tile is almost always mixed lots, closeout plumbing/appliance/roofing/windows/ can be due to impending code & energy changes (1/1/20), etc.

“Good deals” is why I am currently killing myself in this unexpected 95 degree September heat to clean out my garage and storage shed. This pallet of tile to Habitat, that 30” vanity to a neighbor, this faucet to the attic, that cabinet that got water damage by being stored directly into concrete to the dump, the free copper farm sink that was “too much of a deal to pass up” and was not my style, and I knew it when I asked the homeowner who was changing counters and sinks if I could salvage it. Etc. .....

I would spend less if I bought the exact things I need, when I need them, at full price. This is 100% true if you don’t have a fully specified design plan that informs your decisions. You’ll buy that $2500 hand painted bathroom sink for $100, only to realize that the red poppies just don’t go with the design as it develops further over time. Then what do you do? That’s where I am at the moment.

We GC'd our build and setup a sales tax filing as a business with the state. We bought everything. You can save but it is work.

I bought all my appliances on closeout, scratch dent, eBay, overstock.

I saved thousands of dollars at the time and stuff from Gaggenau, SubZero... I wanted a specific no longer made Grohe faucet and collected them NIB on eBay for a few years. I bought a couple cool MCM light fixtures at auction. I also have a storage unit - as I bought all my cabinets / vanities and tubs, etc. Based on how long I have been sitting on it - it's debatable - but at least it's paid for and I won't run out of money and cheap out on appliances.

I can't get my weekend car out of my basement garage, though...

My opinion on this topic goes back on forth like a pendulum. Right now, I am swinging toward buy what I need when I need it but that will probably last until I see the next great deal at ReStore. I have gotten some wonderful deals at my local ReStore but some great deals are better than others. For example, I bought a 36x72 soaking tub, still in the shrink wrap for $50. That was worth walking around in the garage until we needed it. My particular weakness is light fixtures, especially vintage fixtures, and funky hardware.

Over the years, I have gotten pickier about which materials are worth keeping or buying ahead. We have the advantage of working almost exclusively on our own projects so we aren't paying fees for providing our own materials but definitely the labor costs more. In general, if I know the item will be needed within a few months, I will buy at a 25 to 30% discount. Items which are being bought for future unknown uses I usually won't bother with unless they are selling for less than half price. Interesting, quirky items I don't have any idea how or where I might use them, aren't coming home with me unless they are a screaming deal like pennies on the dollar...and not too heavy or bulky either.

Manufacturers' warranties usually begin with purchase date. So your warranties may expire even before you use them.

We bought light fixtures, things like drawer pulls etc. but I was careful to not buy TOO far in advance, just in case. For light fixtures that we knew would fit we bought - others we waited to decide the exact size or placement. Talk to your builder- there were some items he said he could get the best price on - other items he said it wouldn’t matter on, we’d both get the same price.

Wait until you need them because any warranty begins to run at time of purchase. Then, too, you would need to store them securely -- not always possible at a construction site.

I know on the warranties - but to be honest - I'll take my chances. Usually repair people mess up my house and it's marginal that they fix things. I can change parts, and with repair parts websites, etc, I can just order what I need and do it myself. often faster than taking time off from work, waiting, cleaning up after them, etc.

(we're repairing the air suspension on my wagon next weekend...)

It has been my experience that, the times I've bought something well in advance of a remodel, my ideas sometimes changed as I saw the space being completed. I have a number of these great purchases still in the attic, years later. There is so much stuff readily available, well-priced, and speedily shipped at places like build.com, lightingdirect.com, and faucetdirect.com that I don't buy in advance anymore. The only thing I do in advance is shop and collect a folder of bookmarks of things I think I will want later.

And I often do better online price-wise than shopping locally or getting my contractor's price on the same item. On my last remodel, I bought a name brand, free-standing bathtub shipped free to my home for $1600; my local Fergusons quoted me twice the price and six week delivery. My contractor was better, and got down to about $1800, but he couldn't match the online deal.

There is no benefit of purchasing the appliances ahead of time unless its a really good deal on place. Most of the builders give you a budget to purchase appliances and the best way to do is to buy these items on your own when there is a sale on them taking into consideration the sizes that match your kitchen layout.

We are doing a custom build and most all the comments above are correct even though they conflict! I really wanted to buy ahead for soooo many things and ended up realizing that even though I'm a fairly organized person.... finding, moving, recalling the items, still liking them down the line, was more than I bargained for. I did buy and store quite a bit in my basement and then moved it all recently to a reasonably priced climate controlled storage building. I wouldn't take a chance of moving it to a place that might have mice, the critters damage to much. I decided to buy appliances at a NON big box so they would keep my items until I needed them, plus they have good personal service and delivery. Got a great sale on the whole kitchen, a washer, dryer now waiting for me. I found specials on bathroom fans, toilets, and bathroom hardware. I ordered a mudroom and kitchen sink, and large sprayer faucets online. I have only two options in my town for my bathrooms or kitchen, so I scan the big city ads for sales on items I KNOW the house will need. Fire/carbon monoxide alarms, linens and out door items. I've always wanted hanging chairs under our deck, that is now happily waiting to be put up. On the other hand, I'm waiting on buying Paint until Oct, when SW has another 40 % off sale. They will mix as the painter needs it. I didn't pick out flooring, the front door, garage doors or the exterior stone until closer to needing it although I had a good image in mind before building. Some people here will call me crazy for not having every item picked out but it's working for us. Pay as I go, means less in the end if I play my cards right. The best thing we did besides a hiring an architect and contractor, was get a very good cabinet maker. She made us the best drawings of our rooms. LOL, she helps me often.

"when SW has another 40 % off sale" likely closer to the price your pro painter pays any day of the year.

We live in a country area with a few pro painters but they get their special colored paint from SW or the local Ace, just like I do, most of the time. No tract homes here. I'm sure they can get deals on quantity.

When my parents were remodeling their kitchen, my father happened upon an appliance store that was going out of business. They had both a Thermador 48" cooktop and double oven, a 48" Ventahood, a stainless KitchenAid dishwasher (in the time of Hobart), a GE SxS fridge, and a GE washer/dryer pair (when they were good). Dad asked, "how much?" Guy said, "75% off retail for cash today." Dad gave him the cash in his pocket to hold everything, then went to the bank for the rest. Put his trailer on the back of the wagon and picked everything up, and we stored it in the garage until the cabinets showed up.

I think the best answer to the buying-ahead question is DEFINITELY MAYBE. Too many details to answer with one blanket answer. For example:

- I have already bought stained glass light fixtures for my kitchen /dining table. I know they're terribly out of style and dated, but I have wanted them literally since I was a child, and my love for them has never wavered ... so too bad "dated police". I wanted them, and I found them for a good price, and they're mine. They're new items /standard sizes, so I'm not overly worried about installation problems.

- Warranties ... yeah, that's a very reasonable concern. But it depends upon what you're buying. I wouldn't "buy ahead" a range or refrigerator more than a month or two in advance ... unless I could literally get it for less than half price (unlikely) and I could be made to feel that the value outweighed the risk. Also, yeah, I have nowhere to store appliances. On the other hand, I already have some cabinet hardware for laundry room and bedroom built-ins. What are the chances that I'd use the warranty on a cabinet pull? And -- if I did -- what would I lose? A couple dollars.

- I have looked at clearance tile a hundred times, and often I see things I like, but that's just too big a risk /too big a storage item /not enough on clearance.

- I have a smattering of other things for my new house ... but mostly accessories: some mirrors and rugs. A set of drapes for the bedroom. Some bathroom accessories. I can't think of what else, but ALL bought on clearance, all at least 70% off. I recognize that these are a risk ... and I won't buy "in advance" unless I save significantly.

The little things are often the best deals. Hooks, cabinet hardware, locksets, amd trim tile were some of my best deals because they don't require much storage space. For a couple years, there was a local auction house which did store returns with online bidding. I got some great deals on products I wanted but maybe did not truly need. I bought my towel bars and hooks and TP holders from them in a couple of different assorted lots. For $15 to $20, I got several items which purchased individually would have totaled to over $200. Some people would care that the TP holder and cabinet handles are brushed nickel while the robe hook, towel ring and faucets are chrome but I am willing to tolerate the mismatch for the bargain price.

When it comes to light fixtures, my taste is mainly whatever is a bargain. I think the most expensive fixtures in my house are $18 each for two large LED fixtures from ReStore. At the time I bought them, they were selling online through a lighting site for about $250 each. Most of my lights were $8 to $15 each, although I did get several matching flush mounts for $5 each for the first couple and I bought another 5 at $2 each. As long as a fixture is not too crazy looking, I don't care as long as it functions when I flip the switch. I figure if I find something truly wonderful later, I will swap if out. I do have a weakness for funky vintage fixtures and someday I will install a fabulous French chandelier from the local antique auction in my dining room. Until then, it is stashed in my garage attic and at $60, it won't break the bank if I never get around to putting it up.

For my situation, absolutely buy in advance. We are the GC for our home though, fully custom built. We also have places for storage so that it is a no brainer for us to pick up things in advance if it saves money. Example: I bought the range for our home already. I almost didn't because the con on that is the warranty begins from purchase date. This definitely gave me pause since it will still be 4-5 months before we move in. On the same note, I was able to save a very large chunk of cash off what I budgeted and it made the risk worth it to us. I will soon start watching for light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, etc. I may go with our cabinet guy's sink options since the prices are already fair but it will depend on what they look like & the quality when I look at them soon. I'm picky. Who isn't when they are building a custom home though?! lol! I do a large majority of my shopping online when it comes down to the fixtures (both lighting/plumbing) and read a LOT of reviews before settling on various choices. I did the same thing in our last build and it really paid off in the long run. So many of the options I like are not found local, and when they are found, the price is outrageous. Unless you want builder's grade or the basic fixture you can pick up at any big box store, it can really help to shop online & try to save money where you can so that you can enjoy nicer, custom choices & finishes.

My GE Profile induction cooktop was stored under my bed for over a year. It was part of a "display" at HD, no box, no booklet....$700.

We found a chandelier we loved for our dining room. It wasn't in our lighting budget but we decided we could buy this out of pocket. I searched online for the best deal. It still was more than we wanted to pay.

I found a wholesaler and called them I said "We are building a custom home and are picking out all our lighting. Would you give us a "special " rate if we purchased several items through you?

Well we got the Chandelier for $200 off the best price we had found. We bought it and stored it for 6 months till the Electrician needed it. It does pay to shop around.

You won't know unless you ask. The worst thing they can say is no.

I have the shards of a Bosch induction cooktop to remind me to not buy anything ahead of time that I can't safely hide in a bedroom.

The little things are often the best deals. Hooks, cabinet hardware, locksets, amd trim tile were some of my best deals because they don't require much storage space.

Yes, and when you hit the end of construction /you've overshot the budget on a couple big ticket items, you may be glad to have some of those "small things" sitting in the closet.