The Best Places to Find Building Materials for a Self Employed Builder
Building can be very expensive, and what makes it so is the continuously rising cost of building materials.
Good building materials must last for years and be able to withstand elements of weather and other exposure.
High quality means high prices, but there are a few tips the independent builder can use to find affordable material without compromising the value of his work.
Pre-Fabricated Materials Consider using prefabricated building materials.
These are structures and components of a building that have already been made and assembled in factories.
They may include ready-made kitchens and bathrooms, and they are built according to precise plans, only they are made in volume rather than for one specific project.
They also generally come with a manufacturer's guaranty, and because they are produced in mass, they tend to cost less the supplies would if you were building it on your own.
Panelized Construction Kits Another option for affordable building materials for the independent contractor is to use panelized construction kits.
Thousands can be saved on this kind of affordable package, and the assembly can be done in as little as three or four days.
Freebies In many instances, you can find small batches of free building materials when larger projects have been done.
Don't steal! But the idea is that there are legitimate freebies-leftovers, you could say-that some larger scale builders end up tossing, recycling or donating when their immediate project has been completed.
Some urban areas also have locally oriented listings where people advertise things and materials they want to buy, sell and, yes, often give away.
Resale Deals Most urban areas have resale stores to which materials and supplies have been donated, and then are sold at discounted rates for charity.
Here you can find such items as custom cabinetry, windows and doors.
Often there are discontinued materials that have been donated by large retailers, and may suit some of your smaller projects well.
Resale dealers are an excellent resource for many elements of vintage-style home design.
Big Brand Retail If you are a builder, you spend a good amount of time in these stores anyway.
While you are there, look for materials that have been overstocked or are being disconnected.
Even the big boys will sell at discounted rates when they have too much of something.
This is a good way to obtain carpet remnants, custom paint colors, and linoleum.
RailRoad Salvage Outlets At a railroad salvage outlets, you can usually find standard building materials like lumber and nails for only about half the price you would pay from major retailer chains.
Go to Auction There are lumber and supply auctions where, again, discontinued and overstocked items may be purchased to the highest bidder.
You have to be the highest bidder to win, but depending on the material you are bidding on and the competition, you still have a lot of opportunity to come out on top, spending less than you would if you bought it in retail.
Good building materials must last for years and be able to withstand elements of weather and other exposure.
High quality means high prices, but there are a few tips the independent builder can use to find affordable material without compromising the value of his work.
Pre-Fabricated Materials Consider using prefabricated building materials.
These are structures and components of a building that have already been made and assembled in factories.
They may include ready-made kitchens and bathrooms, and they are built according to precise plans, only they are made in volume rather than for one specific project.
They also generally come with a manufacturer's guaranty, and because they are produced in mass, they tend to cost less the supplies would if you were building it on your own.
Panelized Construction Kits Another option for affordable building materials for the independent contractor is to use panelized construction kits.
Thousands can be saved on this kind of affordable package, and the assembly can be done in as little as three or four days.
Freebies In many instances, you can find small batches of free building materials when larger projects have been done.
Don't steal! But the idea is that there are legitimate freebies-leftovers, you could say-that some larger scale builders end up tossing, recycling or donating when their immediate project has been completed.
Some urban areas also have locally oriented listings where people advertise things and materials they want to buy, sell and, yes, often give away.
Resale Deals Most urban areas have resale stores to which materials and supplies have been donated, and then are sold at discounted rates for charity.
Here you can find such items as custom cabinetry, windows and doors.
Often there are discontinued materials that have been donated by large retailers, and may suit some of your smaller projects well.
Resale dealers are an excellent resource for many elements of vintage-style home design.
Big Brand Retail If you are a builder, you spend a good amount of time in these stores anyway.
While you are there, look for materials that have been overstocked or are being disconnected.
Even the big boys will sell at discounted rates when they have too much of something.
This is a good way to obtain carpet remnants, custom paint colors, and linoleum.
RailRoad Salvage Outlets At a railroad salvage outlets, you can usually find standard building materials like lumber and nails for only about half the price you would pay from major retailer chains.
Go to Auction There are lumber and supply auctions where, again, discontinued and overstocked items may be purchased to the highest bidder.
You have to be the highest bidder to win, but depending on the material you are bidding on and the competition, you still have a lot of opportunity to come out on top, spending less than you would if you bought it in retail.