Plumbing supplies and decisions

If you don't have a clear vision of what you want and what you like, I guess it could be overwhelming. I do have a clear idea and look through options pretty efficiently. No, nope, no way, OK, yes.

I was trying to figure out how a homeowner (who is not just doing a remodel, but instead building a whole house) goes about ordering a bathtub, vanity, toilet, and fixtures, etc. The contractor had said it was up to me to choose and purchase the items I wanted.  I thought it made better sense to buy through the plumber and use his connections, sources, and knowledge but the builder said I’d probably get a better price if I just did it myself. 

In this day & age of online searches, I have spent time studying online options for plumbing supplies.  But a lot of the results seem to be Home Depot or other big box stores.  I knew those choices might not be the highest quality.  On the other hand, I didn’t want to go ‘high-end’ and spend too much.  At least by studying the items online I had a pretty good idea of price ranges and the variety of options available. 

My next step was to go to a showroom so I could see the items in person and be better informed.  I was excited to see that places like F.W. Webb have a showroom in Northampton, MA near me and also have stores in Lebanon, N.H. near our Vermont house.  I went in and asked if it was possible to order from them here and have it shipped from a store in N.H.  The woman said, “No.”  If she “put in all the work of ordering, the N.H. store would get all the credit for the order.”  OK.  I looked around anyway.  Completely ignored by the salespeople.  Then I drove across the street to Sink & Spout.  I figured it would be the same scenario, but I thought at least I could see what they carried.

To my surprise Sink & Spout is part of The Granite Group which also has stores in Vermont!  One store is only 20 minutes from my Vermont house site in Barre, VT.  When I asked the salesperson if ordering through them and shipping through Barre, Vermont was an option, she cheerfully answered, “Yes!” 

Besides having worked in a lumber yard/hardware store in the past, she has also designed kitchens.  Rose was knowledgeable and helpful. 

I showed her items from my “Materials List” with photos and links to online sites.  She was able to find the same or similar items and we starting compiling a list for the Ridge Road house.  She sent me a quote later that day. 

I was able to evaluate the prices Sink & Spout offered because of my online research.  Even though their usual list price was higher, she offered me a ‘sale’ price that matched anything I had seen online.  I figured the benefits of having one source for everything was well worth any individual deal I might find online.  I wouldn’t have to remember where I ordered each item, I wouldn’t have to wonder when items were arriving, and I wouldn’t have to contact various suppliers if damage occurred during shipping. 

So today I went in to doublecheck my order.  We went through each item to make sure it was correct.  Then I got out my checkbook and wrote another big check.  It is a combination of the most fun and the most stress. Shopping. Spending.

I am related to my Gram Gray.  Ruby Gray used to love to shop.  You wouldn’t expect a good farm mom who did the majority of her mothering in rural Vermont from 1925-1955 to be into shopping.  Or maybe you would.  If someone was used to making all of their own clothes and growing their own food, maybe shopping looks pretty good.  Everything laid out for you in a store; just wandering around and looking at the merchandise would be exciting. 

One of her favorite outings was to go up to Barre to Harry’s Discount Department store which opened around 1960.  My grandfather would dutifully drive her up there and they would shop. 

Photo taken from Mary Kathleen Mehuron's article below. But yes, Harry's as I remember it complete with the 70s cars. The orange football Harry's sign on the Barre Montpelier Road.

An article written by Mary Kathleen Mehuron for “The Valley Reporter” does a great job of describing Harry’s. “It was far from fancy, just a big warehouse filled with hardware, stereos, clothes; it even had a pharmacy. If you are thinking like Costco, think again. Harry’s makes Costco look like a luxury establishment.” https://www.valleyreporter.com/index.php/news/artsent/15909-a-jersey-girl-meets-the-mad-river-valley

My point being- yes, I guess I love to shop, but I also don’t like spending money.  Building this house in Vermont presents both opportunities.  Be prepared for this sort of up/down experience if you are building a house.  I try to think of the end product and how it will all even out in the end (money-wise, after selling our house in Massachusetts) and try and savor the good stuff. 

Do I have second thoughts after ordering? Yes. Is there still time to adjust the order and make a few changes? Maybe. Just have to do my best. We'll see what you think when you see items installed.