Contractors typically pay similar prices to everyone else for drywall material. The US market for drywall and related supplies is highly competitive, resulting in consistent rates among material distributors. Some local distributors might offer contractors a slight discount in the hopes of gaining their future business. This discount is usually around 10%, and other stores often match it to retain valued contractors.
The key factor in negotiating discounts for contractors is the volume of material ordered. If a contractor can purchase a significant quantity, such as an entire flatbed load of drywall, they can usually secure a discount.
Considerations Beyond Base Price
When contractors order drywall material for smaller projects or single houses, they look beyond the base price. Delivery options play a crucial role, with some suppliers offering in-house stocking while others simply offload materials outside the house. The cost of labor to move the material into the house often offsets any savings from driveway delivery.
Another important consideration is the brand of drywall and drywall mud available. Some contractors prefer specific brands, and if the supplier doesn’t carry them, they may opt for a different supplier to simplify the buying process.
Location is also a factor, as suppliers prefer delivering to nearby job sites. They may charge extra for deliveries outside their area, but contractors also value convenience, making it a trade-off between cost and convenience.
Why Do Contractors Charge Different Material Prices?
Contractors are essentially businesspeople who need to balance revenue, worker compensation, and competitive bidding. The cost of materials and labor are the primary considerations in crafting winning bids. While material costs are generally consistent, differences in what contractors charge for materials may arise from factors like brand preferences or cost estimation methods.
Some contractors itemize each supply with transparent material costs, while others use square footage ratios, which may include a slight padding to cover estimating and ordering expenses. The time spent on various business-related tasks must be factored into the charges to sustain their business.
Some contractors may include office work charges in their material costs, while others incorporate them into labor charges or itemize them on their invoices.
Can I Get a Better Deal by Ordering Material Myself?
Ordering construction materials is a specialized skill, requiring knowledge of the right type, quantity, brands, and sources. Tradesmen are experienced with these materials, knowing their advantages and disadvantages. Since they install the materials, it’s usually beneficial to let them use their preferred supplies.
Most tradesmen won’t create itemized material lists for your project unless they are compensated for their time. In such cases, the cost of preparing a list may be similar to what you’d pay for them to order the materials. Therefore, while you might save a small fraction of the cost by sourcing materials yourself, the convenience of having professionals handle it is often worth the modest fee they charge. If a contractor offers to provide materials, consider letting them do so to save yourself the hassle.
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