Suppliers and showrooms
Where the trades buy, and where you should choose.
Materials are roughly half of most renovation budgets, and where you buy them changes both the price and the lead time. This is the map of who sells what — and the questions worth asking before you order.
The rule that saves the most money
Select and confirm availability before demolition starts.
Lead times on cabinetry, stone, windows and specialty fixtures are the single most common reason a renovation stalls half-finished. A contractor cannot install what has not arrived, and a crew that leaves for another job may not be back next week.
Building materials
Where the trades actually shop. Prices and product ranges differ from the big-box equivalent more than most homeowners expect.
Ask your contractor where they buy and whether you can be added to their account. On a large order the trade price difference frequently exceeds what you would save shopping the sale flyers.
A business named here is a factual claim about a real company, so nothing goes on this list that I have not dealt with directly and checked recently. Ask me and I will point you at the right counter today.
Finishes & showrooms
Where the decisions get made. Go with measurements, a photograph of the room and, ideally, your contractor.
Select and confirm availability before demolition starts, not after. Lead times on cabinetry, stone and specialty fixtures are the most common cause of a renovation stalling mid-job.
A business named here is a factual claim about a real company, so nothing goes on this list that I have not dealt with directly and checked recently. Ask me and I will point you at the right counter today.
Site, rental & salvage
The practical middle of a project — the parts nobody photographs and everybody needs.
Confirm who is responsible for the disposal bin and where it will sit. Municipal rules on bins occupying a road allowance vary, and a permit is sometimes required.
A business named here is a factual claim about a real company, so nothing goes on this list that I have not dealt with directly and checked recently. Ask me and I will point you at the right counter today.
Four questions before you order
Ask these at the counter.
The answers determine whether your project runs to schedule and whether the price on the shelf is the price you pay.
- What is the real lead time, today, for this specific item?
- Can I be added to my contractor’s trade account for this order?
- What is the return policy on unused and on special-order stock?
- Who is responsible if the wrong quantity or finish arrives?
Choosing materials
Bring measurements, photographs and, ideally, your contractor.
Showroom decisions made without the person installing the work are the ones most often reversed. If you want a second opinion on a specification before you commit to it, ask.
A straightforward first conversation
Not sure what to specify?
Tell me where you are in the process. We’ll discuss the property, the market, and the questions that matter most to you.