It is your choice to order whatever materials and components you choose to, but not every contractor will be willing to enter into a remodeling contract where the client provides materials. If you want to engage a contractor, I suggest you check with them before ordering anything.

Some of those items may need input from the contractor or sub. For example: for the vanity; where are water lines and drains to be located and where will they have room in the vanity? For tile: how much waste? Is tile selection appropriate for installation method? For plumbing: will shower valve work with the type of piping plumber uses? Etc.

Also, I have more than once purchased something ahead of time and found a defect or missing part long after the store exchange period. It's a hassle.

I'm not saying don't do it. Just think about what items are truly critical and that you might not be able to use something you prepurchased.

I am in the same dilema and as the homeowner would prefer to spec and pick my own fixtures. Having them on site for when someone is free to do the work eliminates the problem we have with supply chain issues. I view this as a bonus for the contractor - they come in, do the work and leave. No time delays.

We recently finished redoing our Master Bath and a bit later our Guest Bath. While there were certain smaller elements that I selected and supplied (towel hooks, toilet paper holder, etc) all the other parts of the remodels were either ordered by my GC or chosen & purchased by me after his input and specs (vanity lights, medicine cabinets). My GC has it in his contract and states clearly that he won’t install or guarantee any items not supplied within these guidelines. Unless you get a handyman and not a true qualified GC, I am not sure you can do what you plan.

I wouldnt do that. when you meet with the contractor, you might completly change your plan. i still chose all my own stuff, but not until we had reached an agreement. then we chose things, had the contractor review to be sure they would work, then they ordered, which helped ensure that the measurements etc were all correçt. if anything is wrong, its up to them to fix it.

Here was our experience in a full gut renovation of our main bathroom- we ordered everything ourselves and the contractor gave us his price for all the work with the materials as “supplied by owner”. We ordered the toilet, tub, vanity, tiles, medicine cabinets, shower fixtures, towel bars, tp holder. We had everything arrive and waiting in our garage before the work started. We knew exactly the measurements and quantity of tiles needed. The exact measurements of the vanity and tub. We had a detailed plan including how to lay out the tile. How? My DH is a licensed architect and he drew up the plans and ordered items from trade suppliers. Our contractor finished the project on time and with no added costs. This was pre-pandemic, but we did buy most items that were in stock. Only the tile had to be shipped from Portugal, so we were thankful it arrived the week prior to construction.

Not all contractors will work this way. We had worked with him previously, our checks always cleared and we all have a good relationship. I recommend him to all my friends. So it can be done!

Because I am often renovating investment properties I have gotten into the habit of designing backwards. I buy things when I find a good deal on them and build the remodel around the things that I find a good deal on. I have never had a contractor refuse to work with the materials I provided.

Having said that, contractors in my area are not all that picky and I have a few properties so maybe they just want my business.

We were getting ready for our renovation for about 2 years. During that time we got quotes from a plethora of contractors. The only ones that made the final cut were the ones willing to work with our design ideas, and the fact that we basically only wanted to pay for skilled labor. We had our design already worked out, but were willing to listen to other options/ideas. During that time we were stock piling EVERYTHING other than building materials. It really helped to have bought everything over time with the final budget as well. Turns out houses built in 1947 do not have level floors...or insulation in the walls, so that was obviously addressed.