How should you handle materials the homeowner supplies?
Short answer. Install them, but state in the contract that your workmanship warranty does not cover defects in materials you did not supply, inspect them before installation, and advise against defective materials in writing.
Work it through
You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.
A client wants to supply their own tile for the bathroom renovation. They found a deal online — imported porcelain from an unfamiliar manufacturer, no ANSI certification.
"I saved $3,000 on tile! You just need to install it."
- Correct
Owner-supplied materials are common and acceptable. The key protections: (1) your contract clearly states your workmanship warranty doesn't cover defects in materials you didn't supply; (2) you inspect materials before installation and document any concerns; (3) if the tile is clearly defective (inconsistent sizing, chipping, no slip rating for wet areas), you advise against it in writing. You're responsible for installation quality, not material quality when the client supplies them.
- Your prerogative but costly
You CAN refuse to install owner-supplied materials, and some contractors do for quality control. But you lose the job or the $3,000 markup on tile. The better approach is accepting owner-supplied materials with clear contractual limitations on your warranty. This accommodates budget-conscious clients while protecting your workmanship guarantee.
All 19 home improvement contracts questions
- Is a handshake deal legal for home improvement work in Maryland?
- What must a Maryland home improvement contract include?
- Which MHIC notice must every home improvement contract include?
- What if a signed contract is missing the completion date?
- Can a Maryland home improvement contract require arbitration?
- What happens in a scope dispute when nothing is in writing?
- Does a small cash side job need a written contract?
- Does a $2,000 job need a written home improvement contract?
- Can you start emergency repairs before signing a contract?
- Should you give a homeowner a ballpark or a written estimate?
- How do you fix a vague scope of work before it becomes a dispute?
- How should you respond when a client redlines your contract?
- How should a contract handle upgrades during the project?
- How do you price a contract for work that starts months later?
- Should a multi-year renovation be one contract or several?
- Can you sign a home improvement contract with a 17-year-old?
- What happens when a homeowner fires you partway through a job?
- Can you substitute materials named in the contract?
- How should you handle materials the homeowner supplies?