CONSTRUCTABID PRE-CONSTRUCTION PLANNING

Homeowner guide

Why homeowners overpay for building materials, and how to avoid it

Last updated September 2026

Building or remodeling is one of the biggest purchases most people make, and materials are a large part of the cost. Homeowners can end up paying more than they need to. This guide explains the main reasons, based on published research where we could find it, and what you can do about each one.

1. Mistakes and underestimating add up

In a survey of 1,736 U.S. homeowners conducted in August 2024, Hippo found that 58% spent more than they expected on DIY projects because of errors.1 The survey covers DIY projects in general, not only material purchases, but it shows how quickly a wrong measurement, a wrong product or a missed item turns into extra cost.

What helps: get an itemized list of quantities before you buy anything, and have someone experienced check it against your plans. Buying the right things the first time costs less than returning or replacing them.

2. Waste is part of what you pay for

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has been widely cited as estimating that up to 8,000 pounds of waste is created when building an average 2,000-square-foot home.2 That figure appears to come from an older study, around 2009, and it counts all jobsite waste, so not every pound represents money a homeowner spent on excess materials. Still, cut-offs, damaged pieces and unused extras are a real cost, and homeowners pay full price for every piece.

What helps: a list that includes sensible waste allowances for each material, so you order enough without ordering far more than you need. Allowances depend on the material and the layout of your project. The sample list on our home page uses 10% in some places for illustration only. Check each store's return policy for unopened materials before you buy.

3. Retail pricing versus professional pricing

Builders and contractors often get negotiated pricing from suppliers that homeowners typically don't. A building-science guide from UMass Amherst explains that dealers set pricing by customer type and buying volume, that homeowners typically pay list prices, and that the size of a discount varies a lot by product. Low-margin commodity items such as framing lumber usually offer little room, while specialty items such as cabinets, windows and doors offer more.3 That guide was first published in 2003, so treat its numbers as a general picture, not today's prices.

What helps: compare prices line by line across suppliers instead of buying everything at one store, and ask about buying power. Through CONSTRUCTABID, we may be able to offer better pricing on select suppliers and brands. Availability varies by project, and we do not promise any specific savings.

4. Prices move, and homeowners rarely have protection

Material prices can change quickly because of freight costs, trade policy and supply. NAHB regularly reports on how tariffs and other factors affect building costs.4 Professional builders often manage this with supplier relationships and ongoing accounts. Homeowners usually pay whatever the shelf says on the day they buy.

What helps: get a priced list early, watch the total, and ask your supplier whether they can hold a quote for a set period. Don't assume a price you saw months ago is still current.

A simple checklist

  1. Get an itemized material list from your plans before you buy.
  2. Have it reviewed by a real person for missing items and wrong quantities.
  3. Plan waste on purpose, and check return policies.
  4. Compare prices across suppliers, line by line.
  5. Ask about buying power for select suppliers and brands.
  6. Order promptly once you're ready, and keep your quotes and receipts.

That's the idea behind CONSTRUCTABID. Our software builds your material list from your plans, a real person on our team checks it, and you get an itemized list with pricing from Home Improvement stores and suppliers.

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Sources

  1. Hippo, "The Hidden Cost of DIY: 58% of Homeowners Blow Their Budget" (survey of 1,736 homeowners, August 1, 2024). hippo.com
  2. National Association of Home Builders estimate of jobsite waste for a 2,000-square-foot home, as reported by Earth911. earth911.com
  3. Paul Fisette and David Damery, "Getting Contractor Discounts," UMass Amherst Building and Construction Technology (first published 2003). umass.edu
  4. NAHB, "How Tariffs Impact the Home Building Industry." nahb.org

This guide is general information, not financial, legal or construction advice. Costs and savings vary by project, location and supplier. See our Terms and Conditions.