Perhaps your single biggest responsibility during construction will
be choosing the materials to be installed as part of your remodeling
project. Here are some tips on where, how, and when to shop.WHERE TO SHOP
Most contractors keep manufacturer's catalogs. And most keep on hand or have access to some product samples. You'll probably see a few of these catalogs and samples before and during your remodeling adventure.
Nearly all contractors maintain their own showrooms, in which they stock samples of most of the products they usually install. Showrooms are much more common among contractors who specialize in kitchens and baths than among general contractors who take on a variety of jobs.
What about buying and supplying your own materials? Contractors are expected to stand behind their work, so they tend to gravitate towards suppliers who sell quality materials and provide needed services. If you want to supply some of your own materials, be prepared to forego warranty coverage through your contractor on those materials.
HOW TO SHOP
Know how much of each material you need when you shop. Keep track of budget allowances - amounts listed in construction contracts to pay for materials not yet chosen. Almost every showroom has "good, better, best" selections for every item. If you are determined to live within preset budget allowances, you'll probably have to do some mental judging as you shop. Pay special attention to prices for flooring, lighting, cabinetry and plumbing fixtures; they can vary by a factor of 10 or more between popular, mass-manufactured items and special 1-of-a-kind solutions.
Will more than one person be involved in choosing materials? If so, pay close attention during your first couple of shopping outings as to how the other person shops and whether his or her style is anything like your own. You might think you know everything about how the other person's mind works. Remodeling has a way of proving you wrong and you don't want to miss a deadline because the two of you might be unable to agree.
WHEN TO SHOP
Know the schedule for choosing materials. It should be included in your construction documents. If it's not, make sure your contractor gives you a written schedule of when you must indicate material selections. Make sure you are kept informed of any mid-job updates to this schedule. Nothing can make a remodeling job grind to a screeching halt more quickly than your failure to indicate your materials for selections on time. When shopping for materials in showrooms, be sure to ask whether each item you've chosen is in stock. If it's not, ask how long it will take to get it. Lead time can very greatly.
(Remodeling News, 1996)