7 Ways to Save on Home Renovation Materials

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are great places to look for materials, furniture and other items. You can search by category and keywords as well as set up alerts for when something specific is listed for sale. Joining Facebook groups can also be helpful for buying and swapping materials. Some other useful sites for materials include: Plannetreuse.com reusewood.org freecycle.org and diggerslist.com.

Your local hardware store might have a stash of paint that customers returned because they were unhappy with a finished mixed color or didn't end up needing. This is a great opportunity to pick up perfectly good paint at a deep discount. 

Tio: Before purchasing, check the paint label, which has a dried swatch of the actual paint and may contain the name of the paint shade that was mixed. Since a machine mixes the paint, at times shades may vary due to malfunction. Compare the shades of paint by looking at the actual color swatch that has been hand-dabbed on the label rather than by reading the name.

If you happen to see new homes or businesses under construction, stop by and speak to the foreman or general contractor about picking up any excess windows, lumber or plywood. These materials will most likely end up in the dumpster or landfill anyway so don’t be shy! Ask and you may receive.

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Don’t be fooled by the name! You can visit scratch and dent stores specifically or find the designated isle in the big box stores to find some substantial markdowns on items such as cabinetry, sinks, tubs, paneling, flooring and appliances. You’re probably envisioning scratches and dents or at least something wrong with these items but that’s not always the case. It’s possible the boxes could be damaged or open or perhaps the floor model was discontinued to make room for new models. Also once the item is installed, the cosmetic damage is often hidden. When it comes to appliances, scratches and dents can easily be fixed by the consumer in most cases.

It’s a little-known fact that you can actually call individual specialty stores and sometimes receive reduced pricing on mis-orders. You can do this for windows, doors, trusses, roofing and more. If you are a bit more flexible on design, (considering the options may be limited) you can score some brand new materials for a fraction of the retail cost.

If you’re planning to use a contractor, it’s a good idea to ask if they have any leftover materials from previous jobs such as flooring or countertops. Depending on their stock and the square footage needed to complete the job, contractors are sometimes willing to sell the materials to you for a discount. This is a win for both you and the contractor since excess stock often ends up in the trash anyway.

The words “salvage store” may be off-putting at first if you’ve never stepped foot in one before. Home salvage stores are private businesses that hunt down usable materials, kind of like a thrift store for renovators. Simply Google something like “salvage stores” or “reclaimed building materials” to find options in our area. Depending on the store’s selection, you can find plenty of new or almost new items to choose from.

Additionally, the words “reuse center” can also trick you into thinking that these types of stores only sell old or used materials. It’s true that you will find some secondhand goods but you can also find brand new kitchen cabinets, bathroom sinks, furniture, appliances, home accessories and more. Habitat for Humanity ReStore is one of the most popular nonprofit home-part recycling centers across the country. Builders, designers, and showrooms donate their excess materials in exchange for a tax deduction and the public then is allowed to purchase these materials at a reduced cost. Pretty cool right?