I managed to place them on the ground of my new house, but he says he doesn't have "build materials" if I right click them.

So I went to the bar and bought some, but he still complains?

bed building requirements.

1 building material
4 cloth

As a total and utter noob...is there a place to SEE a building's requirements?

in the build menu when you click on it.
or once its placed
left click on it