That’s been my experience too, honestly. I tried to go the “support local” route when I needed some panels for our shed, but the wait times and pricing didn’t really line up with what I expected. The regional supplier option sounds a lot more efficient, especially if you’re dealing with storm damage and time is tight. One thing I did notice, though—sometimes those online suppliers have minimum order requirements or weird pickup hours, so it’s worth double-checking before you head out. Still beats waiting around a crowded yard for hours...
I get the appeal of skipping the local yard, but I’ve actually had better luck with smaller shops—at least for odd jobs. Here’s what worked for me: 1) Call ahead and ask if they’ve got offcuts or “seconds”—sometimes you can snag a deal if you’re not picky about color. 2) Ask about delivery, even if it costs a bit. Saved me a headache when my car wasn’t up for hauling sheets. The big suppliers are faster, sure, but I found the local guys more flexible when I needed just a few panels. Worth weighing both sides, especially if you’re not in a rush.
I get where you’re coming from—those smaller shops are usually more willing to work with you, especially if you’re not after a truckload of sheets. I’ve found some of their “seconds” are just fine, too, if you don’t mind a ding or two. One thing I’m always a bit skeptical about, though, is how upfront they are about the metal’s origin or coatings. Ever had issues with quality or warranty when buying from the local yards? I keep hearing mixed stories about that…
I get the hesitation about local yards and their “seconds”—it’s a bit of a gamble, but honestly, I’ve had more good than bad experiences. I’m pretty picky about what goes on my house, especially since I’m not looking to redo the roof every decade. The smaller shops around here (I’m in the Midwest, so lots of farm supply places) are usually upfront if you ask the right questions. I always bring a magnet and check for galvalume or galvanized coatings myself, and if they can’t tell me the gauge or where it came from, I walk away.
That said, I’ve scored some great deals on “seconds” that had nothing wrong with them except a scratch or a bent corner—stuff that gets hidden under flashing anyway. The price difference is huge compared to the big box stores, and for a shed or garage, I don’t care about a little cosmetic flaw. For my main roof, though, I did insist on paperwork showing the coating type and warranty info. Some yards will give you a basic warranty, but it’s usually not as ironclad as what you’d get from a big manufacturer. Still, if you’re careful and document everything (take photos, keep receipts), you’ve got some leverage if something goes wrong.
I’ve heard the horror stories too—paint peeling after two years, rust spots popping up—but in my experience, that’s usually when folks don’t check what they’re buying or skip the underlayment. Metal’s only as good as its prep and install. If you’re worried about warranty, maybe stick with the bigger suppliers for the main house and use local yards for outbuildings or smaller projects. Just my two cents... but I wouldn’t write off the local guys entirely. Sometimes you get better service and advice from someone who actually knows what they’re selling, not just reading off a label.
Metal’s only as good as its prep and install.
Couldn’t agree more with that. I’ve seen folks blame the metal when it was really a skipped underlayment or bad fasteners causing issues. I’ll admit, I’m picky about what goes on a main house too—if the yard can’t give me a mill cert or at least tell me the gauge, I’m out. But for barns or lean-tos, those “seconds” can be a steal if you know what to look for. Just gotta keep your eyes open for coating type and edge rust, especially if it’s been sitting outside a while.
