Ordering building materials

Ordering building materials – not as simple as you think

If you are building or renovating your home and doing it yourself you are going to need building materials. These materials could range from bricks, to concrete, steel, timber, ceramic tiles, windows, doors, pipes, plumbing fittings and more.

Of course sometimes even when you have engaged a building contractor to do some of the work you may have elected to supply some of the building materials - possibly because you thought you could save money, maybe you could get the material cheaper through contacts or discounts, or in some cases the contractor only supplies labour for the work as they don't have the financial means to purchase the materials.

In our article Purchasing Building Materials For Your Home Building Project we discussed some of the pitfalls to purchasing building materials for your home construction project and how to avoid mistakes.

Then in our article Why are you waiting for materials for your home construction project? we explained that some materials are not immediately available and they may have to be ordered several weeks, even months in advance to allow for them to be manufactures and transported to the project.

​In this article we discuss what you should consider when ordering building materials for your home construction or renovation project.

Tips to ensure the right building materials arrive on time

When ordering materials make sure that:

• The correct product with the correct specification is ordered. There’re pipes and pipes, timber and timber, bricks and bricks and they’re not all exactly the same. They come in different grades and strengths. Some can’t be used outside, some can’t be used in wet areas and some are more hard wearing than others. If in doubt ask experts, or even the supplier what the right product is for where you’ll use it.
• The correct size is ordered. Timber comes in all lengths, thicknesses and widths. Tiles are different sizes. Understand the difference between imperial and metric sizes because frequently pipes and bolts of the one don’t match the other.
• The supplier is aware when the materials are required.
• You order the correct quantities. Having too much is a waste that costs money to buy and then costs more money to get rid of. Running short of material could delay construction and usually incurs additional delivery charges for the shortfall. But worse, some products might not be available anymore so if you’ve almost finished laying floor tiles and you find that you’re short of a few boxes of tiles (even one tile), you may find that the tiles are no longer available and you’ll have to select another floor tile and rip out the first lot and retile the whole floor with the new tiles. When working out the quantities of materials always:
  • Double check the quantities.
  • Allow for cutting and wastage. For instance floor and wall tiles have to be cut around the edges of the room and walls, around pipes and other fittings. Inevitably there’ll be wastage, which could be between 5 and 10% - with smaller areas often having a higher wastage factor.
  • Allow for lapping. Reinforcing steel and mesh, roof sheeting, roof tiles, and waterproofing membrane always should be lapped as per the manufacturer’s or engineer’s detail.
• You order the best lengths and widths which fit where the item is required, generating the least offcuts and waste, but also in sizes which you can easily handle. Larger sizes may be less wasteful but you might not be able to lift the product and install it, or it might be too big to get through door openings.
• You understand if the supplier will deliver the product. Suppliers must have the correct delivery address, times when the delivery can be made (you don’t want deliveries arriving when nobody is around to receive them), and be aware of any special delivery instructions (for instance, if large vehicles can’t access the property they need to be aware that they must use a smaller truck).
• You understand how the material will be offloaded and who will be responsible for it. You don’t want to be offloading a consignment of cement or heavy timbers by hand on your own.
• Orders must be clear, with the size, specification, quantity and rates. Understand exactly what you’re getting and what you’re paying for.
• You have ordered everything that you require to fix the item in place, which could include adhesive, grout, bolts, screws, etc.
• When ordering an item that must fit exactly in a specific location, that you double check your measurements to ensure there’s no mistake. Then understand the supplier’s tolerances. If they manufacture or supply the item a couple of millimetres bigger will it still fit? Know how you will move and fit the item into place. Sometimes when the item is an exact fit it’s near impossible to move into position.

Image by John R Perry from Pixabay

​It should be noted that ordering materials in bulk could be cheaper than ordering materials in small quantities. Small quantities not only incur additional delivery charges, but the supplier may offer discounts for larger quantities. Of course, it may be possible to provide a bulk order, say for all the bricks, sand, or concrete required for your house, but then specify that you want the material delivered as and when you require them. You probably don’t want all the bricks for your new home delivered on day one, filling your whole property, but rather you want them delivered as you require them (of course in batches that suit your supplier’s delivery vehicles).

Conclusion

Not getting your material purchases correct could lead to delays when items arrive late or when insufficient material is ordered. ordering the wrong material also leads to delays as well as additional costs. Installing the wrong building product could compromise the integrity of your house and result in maintenance issues later.

​If you are unsure of what products to order chat to your contractor, or get advice from suppliers.

Other useful articles
How to save money when building or renovating your home
​Cost Should Not Be The Only Factor When Building Your New Home
​Check payments to contractors go to the right bank account

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.
​© 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

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Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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