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Property Pros: During Material Selection, Do This

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This is a sponsored column by Jim Muldoon, a Northern Virginia native, Arlington resident and one of the real estate and remodeling experts at Legacy Home Improvement Consultants. Legacy HIC is your source for all real estate and home improvement needs. Please email with any questions or topics you would like covered.

Selecting materials for your upcoming remodel can be a blast, but before you get too far into process get your remodeling company involved. There are more benefits than just a potential contractor discount.

Vendors and remodelers are on different sides of the construction industry, but they are both in the biz and they speak the same language. Coordinating materials is a job in itself and here’s why.

Making sure materials work well with each other is a must. The way your current plumbing is located might not work with that great furniture style cabinet you found, the commode might not allow enough clearance for code, the sink and faucet might not fit with chosen vanity top size. There are a ton of intricacies that go into the selection and installation of materials and you want a professional to ensure they will all work with each other.

Speaking of working with each other, vendor relationships are huge. Have you ever had the “in” at an exclusive restaurant because you were with a regular there? We are your “regulars” and yes, we have the “in”. Having a good relationship with vendors is about more than getting the special treatment. When remodelers have that established working relationship, vendors are more genuine with them when issues arise. Whether those issues are product defects or timeline delays, we can count on our trusted vendors to be honest and we can rely on them to make it right. Most importantly, we have familiarity with their products and they understand our company, our processes, and our expectations.

Another advantage is knowing the best people to work with at each vendor location. Nothing is better than working with someone who is great at their job and loves what they do for a living. Remodelers relentlessly seek out these individuals. It is music to my ears when my clients rave about my vendors. Top-notch vendors will enhance your experience and make sure no details are missed when putting your order together. My preferred vendors will call me to make sure the chosen materials fit the space, can be used for the particular application we are installing, and that the end product is exactly what the client envisioned.

Ultimately, the best thing about going through your remodeler to order materials is alleviating the stress of it all. Coordinating delivery dates, damaged goods contingency plans, vendor measurements, finish schedules; the list goes on and on. Professionals have the experience and know what to expect with each order allowing remodelers to maintain a smooth project. Having that direct line of communication between your vendor and your remodeling company allows a better opportunity for them to deliver quality goods and provide their services on time and hassle free.

If you are interested in receiving our Preferred Vendor’s List or have any other questions email me at [email protected] . If there are any topics you would like me to cover in upcoming articles please send them my way as well. Your real estate is one of your best assets. Let the Property Pros help you get more informed.