We're building a custom home and trying to decide between having our builder use a local supplier with installation and warranty service vs. saving 30-40%.

Is there a good middle ground anyone has found with an online or wholesale price but using local installers? Home will be in Central TX.

My first choice would be local warranties & installation, then years from now consider some replacements to come from the discount outlets.

Installation of non-gas appliances can be simple, once a side-hussle for a local preacher in-the-day.
Gas appliances may not need a plumber but gas goes bang and is not simply plugNplay, so plumber for me.

Warranties are builder supplier all about except appliances. The units are covered by the manufacturer but the locale can suffer from less pampering, so a local would have to pick up the caring you deserve.
National home warranties can guard you with the cheapest, lowest rated guys in town that may give up after several failed repair trips.

If 30-40% savings is that important, perhaps shop cheaper local appliances to serve the new house for the initial years, then if you don't flip it, it becomes a forever house, then upgrade some appliances.

Going through this currently. Didn't save nearly that much but we went local because they service the equipment and to support the local economy.

Save the money as long as it has a warranty with the manufacturer. Any service issues will be sent to the manufacturer who will then send out their own third party service to take a look at the issue.

We shopped all on our own and did not do any sort of package. Each appliance got analyzed for what we wanted and went with that. We ended up getting both a paneled fridge and dishwasher so it blends into the cabinets, which really is nice. The only issue we had was getting the stove installed with the LP conversion. The plumbers had a hard time with the modern appliance and weren't familiar with the model we bought. They ended up needing to buy a new tool to be able to use on the install.