Attic stock is spare material set aside at the end of a construction job for future maintenance or repairs. It might be matching pavers, tile, siding, paint, or replacement components. It doesn't have to be stored in an attic, and it isn't the same thing as cutoffs or damaged leftovers.
The useful question is: What usable material will the owner receive, in what quantity, and where will it be stored? Agree on that before ordering so the reserve doesn't get used up during installation.
Attic stock, waste, and leftovers are different
| Term | Purpose | Example on a patio job |
|---|---|---|
| Installed quantity | Material that becomes part of the finished work | 400 square feet of paving |
| Waste allowance | Extra needed for cuts, breakage, or the laying pattern | An estimated 40 square feet for installation losses |
| Attic stock | Usable matching material reserved for future work | 20 square feet of full pavers handed to the owner |
| Leftovers | What remains after the work is done | Could include usable units, offcuts, or surplus packaging quantities |
Usable leftovers can sometimes meet the agreed spare-stock requirement. Check the quantity, condition, and product match before counting them. A pile of offcuts doesn't satisfy a promise to deliver full replacement units.
How much attic stock should you allow?
There is no universal percentage for every material or project. Start with the project specification or an agreed owner requirement. If neither names a quantity, ask before pricing and purchasing.
For example, Alabama's published attic-stock schedule uses different rules for different materials: 5% for ceiling tiles, 3% for hard tile, and one box per 50 boxes for resilient flooring tiles. These are examples from that schedule, not defaults to apply to every contract. Alabama stock schedule
UNCG's construction guidelines call for the designer to develop the spare-material list and quantities with the owner during the construction-document phase. The practical lesson for a small job is the same: settle the list before closeout. UNCG guidelines
For residential outdoor work, discuss these specific needs:
| Material | What to agree on | What to label |
|---|---|---|
| Pavers or wall units | Full replacement units, including distinct border or cap pieces | Manufacturer, product, color/blend, size, batch if available |
| Decking | Usable board lengths and any matching trim or plugs | Collection, profile, color, length, product code |
| Siding | Full boards/panels or a defined repair quantity, plus matching trim if needed | Profile, thickness, finish/color, product code |
| Tile | Full units or unopened boxes for each tile type | Product, size, shade/lot and caliber where provided |
| Paint or coatings | Quantity, container condition, and storage instructions | Product, color formula, sheen, purchase date |
Matching material is particularly useful when appearance matters, but it doesn't guarantee an invisible repair after the installed surface weathers. Keep the original product identifiers as well as the physical reserve.
Worked example: reserve pavers without double-counting waste
Assume a 400-square-foot patio, a chosen 10% installation waste allowance, and an owner-agreed spare quantity equal to 5% of installed area. These are example assumptions, not a recommended allowance for every pattern.
| Quantity | Calculation | Square feet |
|---|---|---|
| Finished paving | Measured area | 400 |
| Installation waste allowance | 400 × 10% | 40 |
| Owner's spare stock | 400 × 5% | 20 |
| Required before package rounding | 400 + 40 + 20 | 460 |
If the supplier sells this product only in 25-square-foot packs, round 460 up to 475 square feet, or 19 packs. That leaves a 15-square-foot purchasing buffer beyond the planned installation, waste, and spare quantities. It is not a second 15-square-foot waste charge.
Separate the owner's 20 square feet before installation starts. At closeout, count the actual reserve. If the laying pattern used more material than planned, replace the missing stock instead of quietly reducing the handover quantity.
For a mixed-size pattern, confirm how the supplier packages the mix. A reserve consisting entirely of one size may not support a future repair. See pavers vs stamped concrete for the broader repair and pricing comparison.
How to price the spare material
Price the purchase quantity, handling, and any storage or delivery work once. You can show attic stock as its own estimate line, but don't also bury the same material in a marked-up installation allowance.
In the example above, removing the spare requirement would reduce the rounded order from 475 to 450 square feet. At an illustrative $5 per square foot, the additional purchased material is $125, even though the owner receives 20 square feet rather than 25. Package rounding explains the difference.
If labeling and moving the stock takes an assumed half person-hour at $55/hour, that adds $27.50. The extra direct cost is $152.50. With an example 30% markup, the added selling price is $198.25 before tax. Freight is unchanged in this example; add any actual extra freight or storage cost. Those are invented estimating inputs, not market rates.
Decide who receives any other usable surplus and record that agreement. The contract and purchase arrangement determine ownership; the phrase “attic stock” by itself doesn't settle it.
A handover record you can copy
Use one row for each distinct product. Keep a photo of the stock and its packaging label with the job record.
| Field | Example entry |
|---|---|
| Project and installed location | Oak Street patio, field pavers |
| Product | Manufacturer / collection / color / size / SKU |
| Batch or lot | Copy the packaging label, if supplied |
| Required quantity | 20 sq ft of full, undamaged units |
| Delivered quantity | Actual count and equivalent area |
| Condition | Full units; note any damage separately |
| Storage location | Owner-approved location, with photo |
| Care information | Product-specific storage instructions attached |
| Handover | Date, person receiving, and acknowledgment |
Choose storage for the material, not for the name. An attic may be unsuitable because of access, temperature, moisture, or weight. Follow the product instructions and agree on an appropriate location with the owner. For example, James Hardie's Australian storage guidance calls for keeping its products dry, flat, and above ground; use the guidance for the actual product and region. Hardie storage guide
In Dave's project logbook, a contractor can keep the stock photo, labels, and handover note alongside the completed job. A shared folder and a signed checklist can also work. The important part is that the owner can identify and find the material later.
Common questions
Is attic stock required on every job?
Check the contract and specifications. If they don't call for it, agree on any reserve with the owner before ordering. Don't assume a percentage from another project's schedule is mandatory on yours.
Can leftover material count as attic stock?
Yes, if it meets the agreed product, quantity, condition, and packaging requirements. Count and document it. Damaged pieces, unsuitable cutoffs, or a different color batch may not qualify.
Should a quote include both waste and attic stock?
When both are needed, yes. Waste supports installation; attic stock survives installation for future use. Show the quantity basis clearly, then account for supplier package sizes so the total order is sufficient.