A Selections Manager’s Guide to Choosing the Right Vendors

At FineCraft Contractors, we know that selecting the right vendors is one of the most important parts of any construction project. Over decades of experience, we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly—and we’ve learned what really makes the difference in keeping projects on track.

To give you an inside look, we’re sharing a message from our Selections Manager, Chris Poulsen. His role is dedicated to ensuring that every purchase supports the success of your project.

A Message from Chris Poulsen, Selections Manager

Working in the field of construction for many years, I’ve worked with countless vendors, purchasing agents, representatives, and shipping companies. Along the way, I’ve experienced the great, the good, and the bad as well. Here are some key things I’ve learned to pay attention to—factors that are vital when making purchases for a construction project.

Over the years at FineCraft, I’ve built strong relationships with reliable vendors. For someone new to construction—or even a homeowner making their own purchasing decisions—it’s easy to focus only on two factors:

1. Exactly what you want

2. The price

While these are both important, relying on them alone leaves you blind to other critical considerations. Here’s what I always look for:

Service

The number one thing I look for in a vendor is service. That means a dedicated representative who manages all our orders under our account, someone who is responsive and knowledgeable.

A good rep can explain the pros and cons of a product, warn you about potential issues, and make sure what you’re ordering truly fits the project’s needs. And when something arrives damaged—or is later found to be—they’ll handle pickup and replacement immediately, without adding hassle to the jobsite.

Compare this with today’s online “one-click” ordering. The upfront price may be appealing, and two-day delivery tempting, but there’s no dedicated rep to call when problems arise. Returns and exchanges are often slow and time-consuming. When this happens repeatedly across items like plumbing fixtures, cabinets, doors, appliances, or tile, the result is costly delays and the most dangerous issue for any project: added time and cost overruns.

Delivery

Every vendor has its own delivery process. Some run their own trucks, some rely on UPS or FedEx, and others use freight services like ABF, Estes, or CDS. Each has its quirks, and it takes experience to manage them well.

For example, freight carriers usually give you only five to seven days to receive items before charging storage fees. If materials arrive too early, they clutter the jobsite, forcing crews to move them repeatedly and risking damage. If they arrive too late, the schedule grinds to a halt. Knowing how and when to order is key to avoiding both extremes.

Price vs. Value

Price is always a factor, but it isn’t the only one. At FineCraft, we work with vendors who consistently give us fair pricing because of the long-standing relationships we’ve built. While you might find a fixture or appliance slightly cheaper online, that short-term saving can easily disappear when an item arrives damaged, delayed, or out of stock.

Worse, those issues can throw off the project schedule entirely. In the end, what matters most is value—getting the right combination of service, reliability, and fair pricing. That’s what our trusted vendors provide.

My Takeaway

The vendors we work with aren’t just suppliers—they’re partners in ensuring your project’s success. Years of experience have shown me that service, delivery, and value matter far more than chasing the lowest price.

Regards,

Chris Poulsen
Selections Manager
FineCraft Contractors