So, where do you find suppliers? Start by asking around. You can ask contractors, other owner-builders, subs, or even look in local ads. This is a good start. You want to check into anyone that you have heard about. If a supplier comes highly recommended they are probably worth your time to look into. You can even ask other suppliers for references. Some places to find suppliers is better than others, so to find your suppliers that will get you the materials you need, at the prices you want, when you want them, and at the quality you deserve use the following list in order.

The following is a list of places to find suppliers, number one is the best place, number five the worst, but all are fairly good options:

1. Ask subs and contractors: you can visit job sites and ask the subs and contractors on site about suppliers. They will usually refer you to the best ones they know of in the area, the ones with the best materials, and best service. Subs hate working with poor quality materials, and so as an added bonus, they will likely warn you about suppliers that are not great to work with as well as the ones that are.


2. Ask other owner-builders: Chances are other owner-builders did some research on suppliers just as you are doing, and they can give you a good idea of which suppliers work best with owner-builders. However, don't just take their word for it, do your own research as well, sometimes things change, so get current recommendations.


3. Ask Other Suppliers: Your lumber supplier may be able to recommend you to a great sheet rock supplier, who could recommend a great flooring supplier, and so on. So, ask suppliers, or salespeople at supply stores for recommendations, they usually know the industry well and can advise you well.


4. Yellow Pages: It won't hurt to look, and you may find some newer, or lesser known suppliers that just have not been around long enough yet to be in with the subs and contractors. However, be conscious that not every supplier is created equal.


5. From Ads: If you notice good prices on items in local ads all of the time, go to that supplier and check them out.

Once you find a list of potential suppliers, you will want to whittle the list down by making sure they offer quality, not seconds, or B materials. This is your dream house, or starter house, or retirement, etc, regardless, it is your house.so, even though you will want to try and save money, buying less than par materials is not the way to do it. So, base your decision of what suppliers to use around a few things: first find out, do local professional builders use this supplier? If they don't, that is a big indication of whether or not you should consider them. Why not? Next, can the supplier get you quality materials for a price that fits in your budget? Can they deliver in the time frame you need? Do they have enough delivery trucks? Can they make emergency runs and deliveries? Answer these questions, do some price checking, and wha la, you have a supplier.