| If you are a DIYer because of the sheer | | | | that someone, anyone who wanted them could |
| enjoyment of DIYing then that's great. You want | | | | tote them away. We were those someones. |
| to learn to do something new such as install new | | | | After pricing the same materials locally Thad and I |
| flooring in your living room or replace that ugly | | | | came up with a sum of over $1,000.00. We were |
| apricot green toilet that came with your fixer up | | | | amazed and ready to find some more materials |
| house. | | | | for our building. |
| Or if you are like most of us DIYers then you | | | | One day reading a local newspaper I found an |
| are reading up on DIY projects to save money. | | | | article on The Habitat Humanity Restore opening. |
| But... with some self education you can get the | | | | There was now two locations I could visit and the |
| job done and save some money in the process. | | | | nicely written article gave me the telephone |
| When it comes to materials you could end up | | | | numbers and locations of these two great stores. |
| spending even more then your contractor or | | | | Within a half an hour after reading the article I |
| repair guy. The best way to save would be not | | | | was calling the number of the closest location. The |
| only be to do it yourself but to use materials that | | | | store was open and I asked if they had any |
| are either discounted or used. Used? Yes, used. | | | | windows for my building. In pricing new windows I |
| There are lots of building materials that could go | | | | have to say I was not aware that windows were |
| from one building being torn down to a new | | | | so expensive. But not used ones at the Restore. |
| building being built up. By using these materials you | | | | The store had just gotten some in from a |
| are saving them a trip to the dump and an | | | | de-constructed building and they were now for |
| eternity in a landfill doing no good for anyone, not | | | | sale. |
| even the earth. You are even saving the | | | | I snatched the windows up along with beautiful |
| demolishing company money as they pay a fee | | | | kitchen cabinets and a small love seat for a very |
| based on the weight of the loads of trash they | | | | low price. I called Thad at work and happily |
| leave at the dump. | | | | reported my success. The cabinets and loveseat |
| When my husband Thad and I planned a new | | | | and windows went into storage to keep them in |
| building for our pets and members of our Boston | | | | top condition until we could install them in our |
| Terrier breeding program we first thought of the | | | | doggy house. |
| plan and then the cost. After careful consideration | | | | A couple of days later I found a house in our |
| and viewing portable buildings from mega home | | | | neighborhood being torn down. I left a note at the |
| improvement stores we decided that what we | | | | unoccupied site and received a call less then five |
| needed was at that time was out of our price | | | | minutes later. The caller told me that I could help |
| range. However we still could not afford to go | | | | myself to any and all of the wood at the house. |
| without a safe and comfortable building for our | | | | And so we did. |
| dogs. | | | | After our few collection opportunities we realized |
| After an initial internet search for using and | | | | we had collected all but the roofing materials for |
| re-using used building materials I found endless | | | | our building. We even returned to the Habitat of |
| sites, articles, advice and photos of such projects. | | | | Humanity Restore to find our sub-flooring and |
| I poured over these pages into the wee hours of | | | | insulation among other things. |
| the morning. My husband urged me to go to bed | | | | After some hard work, lots of laughs and pats on |
| but I knew I was being hooked into a unique | | | | the back our dog's house is 95% completed. |
| division of DIYing, the recycled spectrum of it. | | | | When the winter temperatures came with their |
| And oh how I was hooked. | | | | biting winds and rains our dogs were comfortably |
| My eyes were now open to locating materials for | | | | warm, safe and snug in their new recycled home. |
| our new building where every I would go. New | | | | I was even able to find a vinyl flooring remnant in |
| mental and literal notes were actively filed away. | | | | an attractive style and color for next to nothing |
| This new project was also fun as I challenged us | | | | at one of our large home improvement stores. |
| to build this new building for under $1,000.00. Could | | | | Right now we are getting fencing materials which |
| we do this? Was it even possible? | | | | you guessed it is in used and good condition |
| One morning on our way to an out of town | | | | sparing the landfills of another burden and helping |
| engagement I spotted a door and frame atop a | | | | us as well. This experience with not only DIYing |
| mound of boards and other discarded wood | | | | but with de-constructing, recycling and |
| alongside a local highway. I told Thad we could use | | | | constructing has taught me that there are savings |
| that for our doggy house, he just smiled and said | | | | to be had almost everywhere you look. You |
| yes, but we can't get it now. I felt the | | | | simply have to look for them and seize the |
| opportunity had passed because surely someone | | | | opportunity to gather these free or discounted |
| would come and see the value I'd seen in it and it | | | | materials and reap the wonderful savings from |
| would be gone by the time I could claim it. | | | | doing so. |
| The next morning Thad and I headed out in his | | | | Next, painting the interior walls with oops paint? I |
| old truck to the location of the door and frame | | | | don't know, but with all of the money I saved |
| alongside that particular highway only to find as | | | | surely I can now afford to buy not only the brand |
| we approached that the door and frame was | | | | but color and shade I really want in now the fun |
| gone. I was disappointed but a closer look | | | | part of decorating our doggy house. |
| revealed that what was left was indeed a DIY | | | | The final price of our doggy house has come out |
| recyclers dream. Not only did we find another | | | | at approximately $550.00 which is excellent. Not |
| two doors with intake matching frames but we | | | | counting our labor which we used time we would |
| also found T-111 boards, 2x4's. 4x6's, cinder | | | | be doing some leisure activity. When I look at the |
| blocks, and more. We looked at each other in | | | | building I am filled with a great sense of |
| delightful surprise at our find and we each begin to | | | | accomplishment on a job well done not only with |
| guesstimate the savings we just found alongside | | | | the physical labor but also the planning and |
| a busy highway. | | | | shopping and free gathering of materials. I am |
| We figured that the householder had planned to | | | | certain that if you seek to build something you |
| build a nice sized shed but for whatever reason | | | | too can find free or low cost recycled materials |
| the unused boards and materials were now | | | | and help save the earth some additional waste |
| stacked outside with the unspoken expectation | | | | and yourself some money too. |