Contractor restocking fees: when you have to pay for returned materials
Short answer
Restocking fees are common when you cancel or change materials after they were ordered, because suppliers often charge the contractor for returns. Stock items may carry a modest fee, while custom or special-order items (cabinets, windows, cut stone) may not be returnable at all. A fee is easiest to justify when the contract mentions it and the contractor can show the supplier's charge.
If you change your mind on tile, cancel a window order, or scale back a job, your contractor may pass on a restocking fee. Suppliers set their own return policies, and many charge a percentage or refuse returns on custom items.
This guide is educational. Your written contract, the supplier's policy and local consumer law determine what applies.
1. Stock vs special-order
| Item type | Typical situation | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Stock items (common fittings, lumber) | Often returnable, sometimes with a fee. | Can I see the supplier's return policy or credit? |
| Special order (cabinets, windows, doors) | Often non-returnable or high fee. | Was I told this was non-refundable before ordering? |
| Cut or custom-fabricated (counters, stone) | Usually not returnable once cut. | Was the order placed after I approved measurements? |
| Unused leftovers | May or may not be credited. | Will unused materials be returned and credited to me? |
2. Fair vs questionable
Fair
The fee matches what the supplier charged, it was mentioned in the contract, and the change was yours.
Questionable
A fee larger than the supplier's, a fee on an item the contractor ordered by mistake, or a fee with no documentation.
Markup on the fee
Some contractors add handling time; ask for that to be shown separately from the supplier fee.
Cancelling soon after signing?
Some sales made at your home carry a legal cooling-off period (the FTC's three-day rule in the US; provincial rules in Canada). Check whether that applies before materials are ordered.
3. What to say
Asking about a restocking fee
- 1.“I see a restocking fee of [amount] for [item].”
- 2.“Could you share the supplier's return invoice or policy so I can see the actual charge?”
- 3.“If any unused materials are being returned, please credit them to my invoice.”
The one thing to remember
Pass-through, documented
A restocking fee should usually reflect what the supplier actually charged, with paperwork to show it.
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Common questions
What is a normal restocking fee?
It depends on the supplier and item. Ask for the supplier's actual charge rather than relying on a typical percentage.
Can I refuse a restocking fee?
If it was not in your contract or the change was the contractor's error, you have grounds to ask for it to be removed.
Do I get credit for leftover materials?
Ask before the job starts. Many contracts are silent, so get it in writing.
Keep reading
Is a 30% markup on parts or materials normal?
Understand the percentage, what it pays for, and whether you are comparing the same thing.
How to negotiate a lower price on a home repair quote
The levers contractors actually respond to, and the ones that cost you the good ones.
Is this window replacement quote normal?
Per-window pricing, insert vs full-frame, glass packages, and sales tactics.
Sources
- FTC: Hiring a contractor — Written contracts should cover materials and changes.
- FTC: Buyer's remorse — the cooling-off rule — Three-day cancellation for certain sales at your home.
- Government of Canada: Canadian consumer handbook — Provincial consumer protection contacts and contract rights.
Last reviewed October 2026. This article explains how prices and bills are structured in general terms, and is not a price guarantee, because what's reasonable depends on your location, scope and market. Educational information only — not professional, legal or financial advice. See our disclaimer and browse the full cost guide library.