Renovations--bath, kitchen, etc.

It will not be worth it to hire an architect to get their discounts. The items you list are not discounted very much if at all. I would not order appliances online just in case something needs to be returned.

Call Paul's Appliances and ask for Andre 973-465-0387. Tell him Jeff from Prime Renovations told you to call. He will take care of you.

Call Smolka for Plumbing: 212-6862300

Agree with Primer: appliances arrived damaged more often than you think. If that happens, you want a brick and mortar store to deal with--not an online "contact us" button. Frankly, having ordered my own appliances during my renovation, I would try to avoid it were I to do this again. I'd rather pay a contractor to do it an be responsible for them. I had a refrigerator arrive damaged from Gringer & Sons and it took about 100 phone calls and indescribable amount of frustration, fury and time to get the situation corrected. Plumbing can be tricky at times if ordering more than a simple faucet. There are ancillary pieces that may be needed, size considerations, etc that I chose to make the contractor's headache versus mine. Just my two cents.

I have done several renovations (not in NYC) and have ordered sinks and faucets on-line. One of my favorites sites is http://www.moderndanish.com/.

Kyle,

One of the toughest parts of my projects is making sure everything that is delivered from manufacturers comes with all its parts as well as everything being perfect. Manufacturers make mistakes all the time, tub drains being on the wrong side, not all the pieces of the shower body come, tiles being chipped, it sometimes is a living nightmare. I have still yet to charge my clients for ordering but I do appreciate that you know there is value to it.

Good points, Primer. It is amazing how many pieces are missing with some frequency. Toilets missing fittings, faucets missing washers and doo-dads, refrigerators missing the bag of metal pieces that hold the doors on, etc. This is something most homeowners won't catch when they sign for the goods. Then, when the GC inspects it for installation, the error is discovered. The plumber can't work, the electrician can't finish, they go home, parts are reordered, you wait, the trades are rescheduled, everything gets delayed... The other headache of ordering oneself is the time involved in waiting for delivery. You have to sign that the goods are received and in good condition. The GC won't take responsibility for that since if the GC misses some damage you are going to blame the GC and get into a fight over who has to take responsibility for getting it fixed and absorb the cost. So you end up missing work, the delivery is late or doesn't come, you reschedule and miss work again...then only 3 of 4 items arrive because one is back ordered and you miss work again for the last delivery... My time is more valuable.

My solution: spec everything ahead of time, incorporate it into the contract and detailed construction drawings. The GC sees what is needed and takes responsibility. I prefer to work with flat fee arrangements. The GC states a fair price for the job and I sign. If there are problems, the costs are paid by the GC who ordered the stuff or the architect who specified the wrong item--not me. How the heck do I know which trim kit is needed for the refrigerator, or what pieces are required for the fancy shower thermostatic valve faucet and shower heads? It is worth paying someone who does know.