If you want to keep fit-out costs down using materials you have bought yourself — including used ones — one option is owner-supplied materials: you supply the materials and hire a craftsman just to install them. The trick is to know the size, condition and specs of what you are bringing in, and to pass that on accurately to the craftsman who takes the job.
Be aware, though, that craftsmen and contractors often turn these jobs down. When materials turn out to be faulty or the wrong size, responsibility and warranties work differently from a job where the contractor supplies everything.
This article covers why these jobs get turned down, what to prepare before you ask, what to watch for with used materials, how to find a craftsman, and what to check in a quote — all from a practical point of view.
Benefits of supplying your own materials — and why jobs get turned down
Owner-supplied materials means the owner buys the materials or fixtures for a fit-out and hands them to a craftsman, who is hired only to install them. You get to choose exactly what goes in, but the job carries more work and risk for whoever installs it, so it is sometimes refused.
| Item | What it means | Watch-outs and reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits | Use the used materials or antiques you love / compare and choose materials yourself / easy to combine with some DIY | Sourcing, delivery dates and checking the actual items are all on you |
| Turned down because of: warranty | The craftsman didn’t source the materials, so can’t stand behind their defects or durability | If something fails after installation, it is hard to tell whether the material or the workmanship is at fault |
| Turned down because of: sizes, specs and building rules | Opening sizes, wiring or plumbing standards may not match what you bring in | On-site trimming or reinforcement adds unplanned work / in multi-tenant buildings, some areas can only be worked on by the building’s nominated contractor, which may restrict what you can bring in |
| Turned down because of: delivery dates | If materials you ordered arrive late, the whole job stops | It knocks on to other trades’ schedules and labour costs |
What to prepare before you ask a craftsman
When you hire someone to install materials you supply, the basic rule for avoiding trouble is to gather the information on the materials and the site, and share it up front.
- Pull together the basics on each material: width, depth, height and weight, model number, and any instructions or installation guide. For electrical items, check the voltage (100V/200V) and power draw; for plumbing items, the size and position of the water inlet and drain.
- Photograph the condition: for used materials and reclaimed wood, shoot from several angles so the craftsman can see scratches, warping and whether the fixing hardware (brackets and the like) is on the back.
- Measure and photograph where it’s going: photos of the wall, ceiling or floor, plus the surrounding dimensions (wall width, ceiling height, positions of existing pipes and wiring) taken with a tape measure.
- Line up delivery and work dates: make sure the materials are on site before the craftsman’s work day.
Watch-outs when you supply used materials
Used lighting, doors and fittings, reclaimed wood and furniture vary piece by piece and change with age, so checking them before installation is essential.
- Can it be sized and adapted? Used doors, fittings and timber slabs may need planing or cutting to suit the frame or space on site. Check in advance that the craftsman will take on that adaptation.
- Are all the parts and hardware there? For example, an imported door’s hinge positions may not match a Japanese frame and need extra routing, or a light fitting may be missing the screws for its mounting plate so it can’t go up on the day. Show the craftsman photos of the fixing hardware beforehand.
- Condition and specs of electrical items: ask the electrician who will install used light fittings to check the wiring for wear and whether they suit your restaurant’s power supply.
- What’s behind the wall or ceiling: before fixing heavy furniture, large mirrors or lights to a wall or ceiling, check there is backing (timber or plywood) behind it. Without it, reinforcement work may be added.
Ways to find a craftsman — and who each suits
There are several ways to find a craftsman who will take on owner-supplied or partial jobs, and each suits different people.
| Where to look | Pros | Watch-outs and who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Local builders and renovation firms | Can handle everything from site survey to managing the works / local, so easy to call back later | May refuse materials you supply / a management fee may be added Suits: people who value handing over the whole programme more than saving money |
| Craftsman matching sites | Contact and get quotes directly from independent craftsmen (electrical, carpentry, painting and more) / easy to hire for a narrow scope | Quality and willingness to install supplied materials vary by craftsman / platform or commission fees may apply Suits: people who want to hire directly for specific trades |
| Craftsman introductions from a materials store | Some stores introduce a craftsman when you buy / easy to talk through how to handle used materials as you go | Depending on the store, introductions may be limited by area or trade Suits: people who want sourcing and installation arranged together |
What to check in a quote
To avoid arguments over unexpected costs on the day, check that the quote covers the following.
- Installation: how it’s charged — per item or per day.
- On-site adaptation: trimming doors and fittings, cutting reclaimed wood, opening up walls for backing.
- Carrying in and protection: moving large or heavy items into the restaurant, protecting floors and walls.
- Call-out and parking: travel to the site, parking for the work vehicle.
- Disposal: offcuts, cardboard, pallets and other packaging.
- Removing existing fixtures: if current lights, doors or shelving have to come out first.
Need used materials and a craftsman in one place?
At Tenpos Kawaguchi Interior Materials, you can talk to us about buying used restaurant interior materials (chairs, tables, lighting, doors and fittings, flooring, reclaimed wood, timber slabs, fixtures and more) and finding a craftsman to install them, all at once. Everything we buy in is inspected, cleaned and repaired in our own workshop before it goes on sale, and anyone — trade or private — can buy.
We can introduce independent craftsmen for every trade involved in a restaurant fit-out, anywhere in Japan, including just the trades you need, such as fitting a door. There’s no fee to you as the client, and quotes are free. You contract with and pay the craftsman directly. Tell us your build schedule and we’ll agree how long to hold your materials.
See our used materials store → Ask about a craftsman →