You pride yourself on producing top-notch kitchen and/or bath remodels. Or maybe you’re new to the remodeling biz. Either way, your success will be influenced by the types of suppliers you choose. Here are seven qualities to seek out when examining your supplier options for tile and flooring.
Tips: Word of mouth can reveal a lot about a tile supplier or flooring supplier. So, read reviews written by people who have worked with a supplier you are considering. Companies with stellar reputations tend to have a lot of positive reviews. You’ll want to avoid those that have negative, not-so-encouraging customer feedback. Also, follow the supplier on social media to see how it handles customer complaints. Look for timely, courteous, helpful responses – all good signs that the company respects and values its clientele.
Search for suppliers who specialize in dealing with professional contractors and who have been in business for several years. Those companies probably have proven processes in place, and can offer a lot of in-depth knowledge and expertise. Newer, startup businesses, on the other hand, might be more of a gamble… and perhaps just too risky to give you the level of assurance you need.
Whether you’re looking for tile suppliers or flooring suppliers, look at the products they have to offer. You should gravitate toward sellers that offer a beautiful, diverse collection of products and adequate stock levels. Some will even let you check the stock level of any product online.
Look for suppliers that source first-rate products from reputable vendors. Those items are more likely to look attractive, last for years, and be covered by decent warranties. In comparison, cheaper products from unfamiliar sources are generally less attractive and less durable, and will reflect poorly on your reputation as a remodeling expert.
Gauge how well a potential supplier meets your service expectations.
Think about what’s important to you. How quickly do you expect your orders to be fulfilled? Do you want to pick up orders yourself, or do you prefer to have orders delivered directly to your job sites? Or maybe a combination of both methods? Does the supplier have an easily accessible warehouse? Do you expect delivery services to be free of charge? All of these are important considerations when you’re investigating local suppliers.
Are you wondering where to buy flooring online or buy tile online? Do some research regarding product fulfillment policies. When evaluating any online sources for wholesale home remodeling supplies, ask about their typical turnaround times and shipping policies to determine if those will meet your needs.
Many suppliers are open to giving remodelers discounts or special deals. So, even though you don’t buy in bulk like many home builders, you may still qualify for some pricing breaks and other perks. But you won’t know about those if you don’t ask questions.
Here are a few examples:
Also, bringing some value to the negotiating table will help you achieve the best pricing possible:
1. Use a floor plan app to sketch each job site’s interior dimensions and features, and indicate the square footage of areas where you’ll be installing tile or completing a flooring remodel. Add a few photos of those areas for reference. Then export your sketch as a preliminary work plan, and show it to your supplier’s sales rep to get their professional input. They may be able to help streamline the product selection process for you.
READ MORE: Enhancing a Floor Plan with Features, Annotations, Objects and Photos
2. Have a predetermined idea of the type of product you envision and share the budget that’s available, to make the selection process even faster and easier.
3. Check out a few samples that you want to show to your customer, and be sure to return those samples in a timely fashion to build a good rapport.
Continue reading our guide on 11 mistakes to avoid when remodeling customers’ kitchens
Or find out how to estimate a kitchen remodel.