Contractor & Builder Accounts

Account Benefits That Impact Your Bottom Line

A contractor account at Chicago Lumber & Building Materials is not just a line of credit — it is a comprehensive support system designed to make your operation more efficient and more profitable. Here is what you get when you open an account:

Volume Pricing

Material costs are one of the biggest variables in any construction bid. Our volume pricing program gives you access to competitive rates that improve as your annual purchase volume grows. Most active contractors realize savings of 10 to 20 percent on the materials they use most. Lower material costs mean sharper bids, better margins, and a stronger competitive position in the Chicago market.

Net-30 Credit Terms

Cash flow is the lifeblood of a contracting business. With approved net-30 terms, you can purchase materials today and pay 30 days later. This allows you to bill your clients for materials before your invoice is due, keeping your cash flow positive and reducing the need to tie up working capital in material purchases. Credit limits are set based on your application and can be increased as your account history and volume grow.

Priority Delivery Scheduling

Contractor accounts receive priority when it comes to delivery scheduling. When the calendar is full and every builder in Chicago needs materials delivered on the same day, our contractor account holders get first priority. That means your crew is not standing around waiting for a truck while you lose a day of production. We also coordinate delivery logistics with your project schedule, including just-in-time deliveries for phased projects and recurring delivery schedules for long builds.

Dedicated Account Manager

Every contractor account is assigned a dedicated account representative who learns your business, your preferences, and your typical material needs. Need to place a quick order? One phone call or text to your rep and it is done. Have a question about a product substitution? Your rep knows your usual specs and can advise on alternatives. Need a quote for a bid? Your rep prioritizes it. This level of personalized service is something the big-box chains simply cannot offer.

Bulk Ordering and Scheduled Deliveries

Large projects require large material orders, and coordinating those orders requires planning. Our contractor services team works with you to create material schedules for multi-phase projects, ensuring that each delivery contains exactly what you need for the next phase of work. This just-in-time approach means materials arrive fresh, you do not need to store excess inventory on site, and you reduce the risk of weather damage and job-site theft.

Job-Site Delivery with Boom Truck

Our boom truck fleet is a major advantage for roofing contractors, siding installers, and any project that involves moving materials to an upper story. The hydraulic boom lifts bundles of shingles, plywood, and lumber directly to the work area, saving your crew hours of manual hauling. Boom truck service is available to all customers, but contractor account holders enjoy priority scheduling and preferred rates.

Material Takeoff and Estimation Included

As a contractor account holder, you have access to our free material estimation service with expedited turnaround. Bring us plans for your next project and our estimating team will produce a detailed takeoff with account pricing applied. Many of our contractor customers use this service to generate accurate material budgets for their bids, saving time and ensuring they do not leave money on the table or underbid a project.

How to Apply

Opening a contractor account is straightforward. Here is the process:

1. Request an application. Stop by our yard or contact us online to receive a credit application.
2. Complete and submit the application. Provide your business information, contractor license number, trade references (two or three are ideal), and bank reference.
3. Credit review. Our team reviews your application and references. Most approvals are completed within 3 to 5 business days.
4. Account activation. Once approved, your dedicated account representative contacts you to set up your account, discuss your upcoming projects, and ensure you have everything you need to start ordering immediately.

Credit Terms and Payment Options

Approved contractor accounts receive net-30 payment terms. We accept payment by company check, ACH bank transfer, and major credit cards. Monthly statements are mailed and available online through your account portal, where you can also view order history, download invoices, and track deliveries.

For established accounts with strong payment history, credit limit increases and extended terms may be available. Your account representative can discuss options that align with your business volume and project pipeline.

Who Qualifies

Our contractor account program is designed for trade professionals who purchase building materials on a regular basis. Qualifying businesses include:

• General contractors handling new construction, additions, and renovations
• Home builders building single-family and multi-family residences
• Remodeling contractors specializing in kitchen, bath, basement, and whole-home renovations
• Roofing contractors working across Chicagoland
• Fencing and deck contractors building outdoor structures
• Siding and exterior contractors handling re-siding and exterior renovation projects
• Property managers and real estate investors managing maintenance and rehab projects across multiple properties
• Handyman services with regular material purchasing needs

If you are a trade professional working in the Chicagoland area and you buy building materials regularly, there is a good chance you qualify. Contact us to discuss your situation and start the application process.

Volume Pricing Tiers

Our volume pricing program rewards your loyalty with progressively deeper discounts as your monthly purchases grow. Pricing tiers are evaluated monthly based on your trailing 30-day purchase total:

All tiers include free standard delivery on orders over $500 within our Zone 1 service area (0-15 miles from our yard). Tier advancement is automatic -- as your spend increases, your discount level adjusts at the start of the following month. Tier 4 pricing is negotiated individually based on your product mix, annual volume commitment, and payment history.

Contractor Account Features Comparison

Our account program offers three levels of service to match the scale and needs of your operation:

Account level is determined by your monthly volume and can be upgraded at any time as your business grows. Talk to your account rep about advancing to the next level.

Success Story: How One GC Saved $47,000 in a Year

A mid-size general contractor based in the Avondale neighborhood was purchasing materials from three different suppliers -- a big-box chain for framing lumber, a specialty distributor for trim, and an online vendor for fasteners and hardware. The result was fragmented ordering, inconsistent delivery schedules, and no leverage on pricing. After consolidating all material purchases into a single Chicago Lumber & Building Materials contractor account, the results after 12 months were significant:

• $28,000 saved on materials through Tier 3 volume pricing (15% off retail) on an annual spend of approximately $187,000 -- replacing the 0-5% discounts the contractor had received from the previous suppliers.
• $12,000 saved on delivery by consolidating orders through a single supplier with free delivery on orders over $500. Previously, multiple smaller orders from multiple vendors each triggered separate delivery fees averaging $75-$125 per trip, adding up to $230+ per week.
• $7,000 saved through waste reduction by using our free material estimation service for every project. Precise estimates eliminated the chronic over-ordering that had been generating $500-$800 in wasted material per job.

In addition to the direct cost savings, the contractor reported fewer delivery delays, less time spent managing multiple vendor relationships, and faster bid turnaround using our expedited takeoff service. The dedicated account rep learned the contractor’s standard material preferences, so repeat orders could be placed with a single phone call.

Account Application Checklist

To expedite your application, have the following documents and information ready before you apply:

• Business license: A current City of Chicago business license or State of Illinois business registration. If you are a sole proprietor, a DBA filing or contractor license is acceptable.
• Proof of insurance: A Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing General Liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Workers’ Compensation coverage is also required if you have employees.
• Three trade references: Provide the company name, contact person, phone number, and account number for three building material suppliers, subcontractors, or trade vendors you have active accounts with. We will contact these references as part of the credit review.
• Bank reference: Your primary business bank name, branch, and account officer contact information. We verify the account is in good standing as part of the credit evaluation.
• Tax ID / EIN: Your federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (for sole proprietors). This is used for credit verification and tax-exempt purchasing if applicable.
• Completed credit application: Available at our yard or by request via email. The application collects your business details, ownership structure, annual revenue, and requested credit limit. Most applications are processed within 3-5 business days.

The Chicago Contractor Advantage

Working with a local, independent lumber yard gives you advantages that national chains cannot match. Our team knows the Chicago construction market inside and out — from the permit requirements at the Department of Buildings to the alley access challenges in Wrigleyville to the unique material needs of greystone restorations in Pilsen. When you partner with Chicago Lumber & Building Materials, you get a supplier who understands your world and is invested in your success.

Hundreds of Chicago-area contractors already trust us as their primary material supplier. Join them and see the difference a dedicated lumber partner makes for your business.