Last Updated: November 2023
No matter the size of your rental property investment operation, a big component of any investor’s budget will be spent at building material supply vendors. Whether it is a new construction development or just a vacant unit turnover, understanding how building material suppliers work is an important component of rental real estate construction that investors need to understand.
4 Types of Building Material Suppliers
Online
Online building material suppliers are predominantly online retailers of building materials. They are a great option to get access to a large variety of speciality construction products shipped directly to you. Examples of online building product supplies include Build.com and Amazon.
Retail
Retail home improvement suppliers are large retail chain stores that sell building materials and products. They are conveniently located throughout the country and provide convenient access to purchase supplies on-demand as needed. Examples include The Home Depot, Menards, and Lowe’s.
Local
Local hardware stores are independent or franchised retailers of building materials and products. These local stores are often found within suburban neighborhoods and offer consumers greater convenience than commuting to a warehouse improvement store.
Supply Warehouse
Supply warehouses (commonly called Supply Yards) are wholesale suppliers of predominantly raw building materials. Most are either outdoors and have a large supply yard. They are primarily intended for General Contractors or entities that purchase large amounts of building materials. Some specialize in just one particular material such as lumber or masonry, while others host a full offering of materials.
Top 10 List of Building Supply Companies
We’ve compiled together the most comprehensive list of real estate building supply companies. Our searchable and filterable list below is a helpful tool to help find the right real estate product and material supplier for you.
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What are Building Material Supply Vendors?
Building material supply vendors are either companies who specialize in sourcing and reselling of construction related building material and related products, to be used or consumed in the work of real estate construction and improvement.
What Type of Products Do Construction Suppliers Carry?
Construction supply vendors sell the individual components that are used to collectively construct or repair a property. These components range from “Raw Materials” such as wood, sand, cement, etc. that are called Building Materials, to more “Finish Materials” such as door handles, light fixtures, etc. that are called Building Products.
Building Material Supplier Delivery and Logistics
When selecting building material suppliers for rental properties, understanding their delivery and logistics capabilities is crucial. Lead times for material delivery can vary significantly between suppliers, impacting your project’s timeline; it’s essential to confirm these details early to avoid unexpected delays. Delivery charges also play a critical role in budgeting, as they can vary based on factors like distance, order size, and material type. For large or fragile items, inquire about the supplier’s handling and transportation methods to ensure the materials arrive safely and in a timely manner at your property.
About the Author
Ryan Nelson
I’m an investor, real estate developer, and property manager with hands-on experience in all types of real estate from single family homes up to hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial real estate. RentalRealEstate is my mission to create the ultimate real estate investor platform for expert resources, reviews and tools. Learn more about my story.
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