ᐅ New Single-Family House Construction with Direct Contracting – Topic: "Using Own Materials"

Hello everyone,

we are about to build a single-family house in Upper Bavaria – most likely using direct contracts with individual tradespeople.

I’m wondering – is it possible (or does it make sense) to:
- Order fittings, washbasins, toilets, bathtubs, etc. directly online as brand-name products at lower prices, and then pay the plumber or installer only for the installation?
- What is the best way to approach this?
- Do you have any recommendations for good online shops (also for tiles and parquet flooring)?

Thanks and best regards

You’ve already noticed that contractors don’t like this, and there are several reasons for that:
1. lost profit
2. working with unfamiliar materials simply takes longer and it’s frustrating to deal with. Either they have to charge more time—which cost-conscious clients don’t want—or it cuts into their profit margin.
3. harder to estimate warranties. The contractor has to guarantee everything they install, so they are reluctant to rely on unfamiliar products.

In consultation with our electrical and plumbing companies, we sourced light switches from Italy and three fixtures from a manufacturer with whom the contractor had no supply agreement. They installed these items themselves. A lot can be achieved through open communication. The solution just needs to work well for both parties involved.

TechMeister99 schrieb:

We are about to build a single-family house in Upper Bavaria – probably using individual contracts.

The really smart ones will probably never be all done.

TechMeister99 schrieb:

I’m wondering – can I (or is it advisable) to:
- Order sanitary fixtures like faucets, washbasins, toilets, bathtubs, etc. directly online as cheap branded products, and then just pay the installer for fitting?

Can you: yes; is it advisable: no. Use the forum search with the keyword "following trade," and you will understand the warranty issues involved. You are the millionth with this “great” cost-saving idea.

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TechMeister99 schrieb:

- In plumbing, is it a good idea to order fixtures, washbasins, toilets, bathtubs, etc. directly online as cheap branded products, and then pay the installer only for installation?
- What’s the best way to approach this?

Building a house with installations. Inspecting trades. At the same time, looking for a cheap installer through classified ads. Having them install and hoping you never have a warranty claim. Although much can also be done as self-installation.

wiltshire schrieb:

2. Working with unfamiliar materials simply takes longer, and it’s frustrating to deal with. Either the installer has to charge more time—which cost-conscious customers want to avoid—or it cuts into his profit margin.

Well, in plumbing there is no “unfamiliar” material. The issue is warranty, and that costs if he is supposed to handle it.

TechMeister99 schrieb:

Any tips for good online shops (also for tiles and hardwood flooring)?

You can use all the well-known ones. Ordering tiles and hardwood flooring without seeing them? Bold choice for a new build.

If you find a tradesperson willing to do this, they will usually exclude any warranty coverage for the supplied materials and/or add their lost profit on the materials to the labor costs. From the perspective of a layperson, it still appears very affordable, but in case of a warranty claim, all responsibility is shifted onto the supplied cheap materials and, of course, any liability is denied.

For ordering materials online, there are color swatches or samples available that you can review beforehand. If necessary, you can order a package of each material you are considering and return what you do not like.

PS:
And please stop with the nonsense that you have to guarantee everything you install. You don't have to guarantee anything at all; a guarantee is a voluntary service. What you are required to provide is a warranty, covering what you have personally installed and delivered.
For example, BMW never provides guarantees. They offer warranties and are very accommodating in that regard.

If you only sell the customer the labor service, you must explicitly provide a warranty only for that.

There are even standard forms available online from the chambers of crafts on how to legally protect yourself.
It’s time to catch up with the 21st century. After 25 years, it would be about time.