Quick question ...

Teresa D
by Teresa D
I hear mention of "builder grade" all the time on design shows. What determines if something is builder grade? For instance, if I were to replace a light fixture or cabinet or faucet, how would I know that what I am purchasing at the store is not just another builder grade fixture?
  16 answers
  • Hudson Designs Hudson Designs on Aug 15, 2011
    Hello Teresa, Well to put it best the cost on Faucets and sink and lighting. Let's say at Lowe's you see ceiling fans for 78.00, they are probably not the best built motors. Now a builder grade will have at least a 1 year warranty on it. So they are a little more. Better motor and better parts. Faucet's go from nylon bushing low end or rubber cartridge builder grade to brass fittings high end. Its all mostly in the parts quality.
  • Builder grade is just that. Cheep n dirty. They only need to have a warranty for a few years. Typical items are, Windows, doors, light fixtures and some appliances. AC and heating systems can also be a builder grade. What it boils down to is cost. And as with any other product if you spend less you get less, even if it does look the same and sometimes better then the high cost stuff. So when purchasing a product in a home store, the more you spend the better most times the quality. Most fixtures except for some real expensive lights and faucets at big box stores are really not high end stuff. Although it can be a pretty good product for what your looking to do. When you have to order it, it typically is a better quality and your pocketbook will let you know.
  • Kimberly Lacy Kimberly Lacy on Aug 19, 2011
    Remember Teresa. You get what you pay for. When you purchased your home you made an investment. The investment doesn't stop there. Always try to replace and update with better quality materials you can afford. Don't replace your appliances with crap ones to save money because it will cost you in the end, life spans will always be shorter and you will replace the cheap stuff anyway. Plan your plan, save up your money to save more money and gain time on the back end.
  • Harold M Harold M on Aug 20, 2011
    Builders grade means cheap. Light fixtures, faucets etc. My philosophy is you don't have to buy the most expensive but get what you want in the "middle of road" price range. Unless its somthing you just got to have
  • SawHorse Design Build SawHorse Design Build on Aug 20, 2011
    As a builder, I am wish that other builder's would not use cheap products just to get by. Unfortunately, many homeowner are trying to buy the house at a certain price-point without giving up on square footage so I understand why they install cheap items. I would propose to change the name from "builder's grade" to "appearance grade." Appearance grade means that it looks nice from a distance, but don't expect it to function for very long or to be durable. Many architects and designers are also forced to select from this appearance grade category as well so understand that 'you get what you pay for.'
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Aug 20, 2011
    MDF trim at $2 a 8 foot stick....or stain grade clear pine at $2 a foot....
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Aug 20, 2011
    "It's a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one's safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract. " Alan Shepard
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Aug 20, 2011
    Just the term 'builders grade' says something about the industry as a whole. SH, we should be building smaller, better built houses. Speaking of a new lexicon, I'm not fond of the term 'contractor'. It makes it sound as if we have to be threatened with a legal document in order to perform our duty. What ever happened to 'tradesmen'?!? CPeace
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Aug 20, 2011
    Hey Peace I think I like that word.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Aug 21, 2011
    It should be "custom builder grade" as remodel contractor...95 % of the stuff I use is NOT builder grade as these are "improvements"
  • Teresa D Teresa D on Aug 23, 2011
    Good info all. Thanks! So basically, it would be safer to do my research, understand the cost range for whatever I'm buying and try to come out in the middle (based on what I can afford). Maybe it would be better to shop at design stores versus the big box stores?
  • Teresa, I think all would agree that it just isn't that easy... and there isn't a simple formula to cover every product. Do the research...absolutely...but that doesn't mean you can't find quality products at the "big-boxers". I may have to duck, but when I think of "design" stores, I think of the higher end products and services. There are a vast number of places to find and purchase items for your project that fall between the "big-boxers" and the "design stores". If it is a matter of interpretation or definition, then I apologize ahead of time...:) About those "quality name" products....You can't assume just because a manufacturer has a "well-advertised" name, that all of their products are of the quality you want in your home. Most, not all, manufacturers have a "good, better and best" , as most need or want to compete across the spectrum of price/quality. Most of the time, "good" equates with "builder-grade".... but this can vary from product to product... Builder grade is generally associated with new construction...but that doesn't mean the cheaper products aren't installed as replacements for the products installed initially. I can only speak for myself, but I think you will find that the professionals here on Hometalk avoid the "cheaper" products. We do that for two main reasons. One, we want you pleased with the work not only today, but 10 years down the road; our reputations are at stake..and it goes right to the core of our personal integrity which is at the core of our professional performance and reputation. Two; from an economic standpoint, installing quality materials is smart for both the contractor and the homeowner. As a contractor, It makes good business sense to pay a little more to install the better products than to dedicate resources to return and "correct" an issue that could have been prevented by using a better product. As a homeowner, using a cheaper product will result in higher cost in the long run when you foot the bill on a new item and pay the labor to replace the inferior product, substantially sooner than you expected. Tim
  • @Four Season.... as a retired navy helicopter pilot, I wholeheartedly agree with RADM Shepard's insightful observation....:)
  • never fly in a helicopter. to many parts working in close formation. I will stick to power wing option myself.
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Aug 24, 2011
    It's something about the wing traveling faster that the craft.