If you're planning an electrical project, one question tends to come up early:
“Can I save money by buying the materials myself?”
It’s a fair and common question. Whether you’re shopping for light fixtures, smart switches, or a handful of outlets, it’s natural to think you might save a few bucks by handling the shopping yourself.
The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Supplying your own materials can work in some situations—but it also comes with trade-offs.
This post breaks down the real pros and cons, so you can make the call that’s right for your project and your priorities.
Buying materials yourself might lower costs—especially for common or decorative items.
You can shop sales or use promo codes
Choose more budget-friendly brands
Avoid contractor markups on certain products
If you’re confident in what you’re buying and the project is straightforward, this can be a practical way to manage expenses.
Supplying your own materials lets you choose exactly what you want.
You’re not limited to your contractor’s catalog
You can ensure all finishes match
You can explore smart home options or designer styles
This can be especially helpful in kitchens, bathrooms, or spaces where design is a top priority.
Buying items ahead of time can help avoid long lead times—particularly with popular fixtures or specialty products.
Electrical work involves a wide range of systems and components, and not all parts are compatible with every setup.
Wrong voltage, size, or spec can create delays
Incomplete kits may require additional purchases
Online items might not meet local codes
Electricians work with thousands of part types—what seems like a “standard” outlet might not be the right fit for your specific situation.
In most cases, if something goes wrong with a customer-supplied product, the electrician isn’t responsible for it.
The labor might not be covered if a part fails
You may need to replace or reorder on your own
Any damages caused could fall outside their warranty
That doesn’t mean you can’t supply parts—but it’s worth knowing where the responsibility lies.
Even a small issue—like missing a part or buying the wrong color—can cause delays.
Electricians may need to pause work
Return trips can add to labor costs
Other trades may be affected if the timeline shifts
Most electricians aim to keep things moving efficiently. Delays caused by materials can affect not just your schedule, but others’ as well.
Every contractor handles this differently. Some are open to customer-supplied materials. Others, like us, choose not to allow it.
Here’s why:
We manage purchasing, storing, and delivering materials to ensure the right parts arrive on time
Our warehouse team coordinates logistics so electricians have exactly what they need—avoiding wasted trips and lost hours
When we supply the parts, we take full responsibility for quality, safety, and warranty
When you factor in the behind-the-scenes time, labor, and risk mitigation, that upcharge covers a lot more than just the product itself. It’s not about marking things up—it’s about providing a smooth, professional experience from start to finish. To learn more about material costs read this blog post Why Do Electrical Companies Mark Up Materials?
That said, we understand why some customers want to handle materials themselves—and it’s not always the wrong choice. It really comes down to the size of the project, your comfort level, and your contractor’s policy.
Supplying your own materials can make sense in certain scenarios—especially when you’re confident in what you’re buying and working with a contractor who supports it.
Just be sure to ask:
Is this allowed?
Who’s responsible if the part is wrong or fails?
Will this affect the project timeline or warranty?
At our company, we’ve found that providing materials ourselves helps us control quality, reduce delays, and deliver the best possible results—but we always respect that every homeowner has their own preferences.
Want to see how else you can save money on electrical work—without cutting corners? Check out our companion post:
👉 How to Save Money on Electrical Work