Re-use and Inspiration: Now this is what I am talking about!

I am not your usual haus frau, as those who know me personally can attest to the fact.  I enjoy “doing it my ownself”, as a method of learning and getting the satisfaction of a completed and personalized project with often the added bonus of a cost savings.  If I can re-use and save the dump from additional waste and landfill, that is one other benefit to be had that impacts more than just one person.

As such, I have an open mind as to where I purchase household building products and items, as well as being able to walk into these establishments knowing that a visit can often be a miss.  But, at times there is the great satisfaction of a hit or a spectacular find.  You also might find that you walk into one of these warehouse stores with a list of items that you need or want for projects and in the process find you leave with a gem.

The DC Metro area is dotted with building materials donation and re-use warehouse/stores.  With each of the three organizations I have touched upon in this piece, I have provided links that can provide you access to more information.  Plus it should help get you started on opening up your mind, reducing the amount of landfill and potentially save you some money when it comes to building materials purchase and consumption chain.

The link for Community Forklift,  located in Hyattsville, MD has a page dedicated to items and projects that customers have shared about their use of products that they purchased or have taken from the free bin, at that particular store.  This is inspirational and this is what I am talking about in terms of having an open mind when it comes to donation of new and used materials, as well as how others can re-use and recycle with a creative flare:

http://communityforklift.com/creations.cfm

Personally, I have never visited the Community Forklift location.  But, it is definitely a hot item on my to-do list.

Habitat for Humanity has resale stores for materials and household goods supplied by personal donations, as well as contractors, home builders and building supply stores, such as Home Depot.  There stores go by the name ReStore and you can find out more and store locations via the URL listed below:

http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx

The Winchester, VA ReStore is very active in posting new additions to the store inventory via their FaceBook.com page.  If you are looking for something in particular or like to surf, check out their new postings and photographs to include incoming merchandise.

In the near future, I will post one of my projects that is in process.  It is the garage here at O’Dea-O’Dea and what I refer to as Mr. O’Dea’s second man cave.  (The first man cave is the finished basement.)

The garage is still in total chaos and is a combination find out what is in there, as well as clean-up and organization project.  I have actually told myself, that I need to remain calm and this is not one singular project.  But, it is a series of projects over time.  For one, this space is packed full of emotion, as well as “stuff” and it is best to work in bites rather than a binge.

Plus, I will digress, something within the man cave had or still has an invisible dose of poison ivy oil on it that got on my skin and was severe enough for me to have to visit the dermatologist and get a prescription of steroids, etc. to ease the inflammation.  If there is hesitation on re-entering the man cave to continue this project this is a reason to add to the list.

Back to the garage a.k.a. the main level man cave:

One of the cabinet sections of the "Teddy" on the floor at ReBuild

The eight foot tall, formerly built-in bookcase (one piece) and the separate cabinet set with built in shelving (three pieces) that I purchased from ReBuild, North Springfield, VA.  This is another like store/warehouse that got its humble beginnings from its association with deconstruction of buildings and interior spaces.  The URL for ReBuild:  http://www.rebuildwarehouse.org/businesspartners.htm.

Some items, you might see or purchase might have a history or an interesting background.  When talking to the ReBuild men that delivered the custom cabinets, I was told that they had removed them from the study at former Senator,Ted Kennedy's townhouse in Washington, DC. 

Now, I know where to store any liquor in the house.  It goes out to the “Teddy”!     ;^)

They added, that as part of that deconstruction project, that the kitchen that had just been renovated two years prior was also removed and included such wonderful appliances as Subzero™ brand. 

Now those types of appliances showing up at the store they are associated with would make most hearts skip a beat.

The first time I had visited that store, was prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and at that time, they had this impressive section of fence and gates that were also from that townhouse deconstruction project.  I actually pondered many a time about purchasing the lot just for the heavy duty gates and impressive non-standard heavy metal hardware.  But, I resisted and instead made a mental note of what I might want to use and build in the future.

Tips for a successful and comfortable outing include being prepared to get dirty and bring such items as an SUV or pick-up truck to haul larger purchases home.  Or find out if they offer delivery (ReBuild charges $65 for general local delivery) if they can recommend a moving service provider for deliveries.

Not certain whether an item has the proper measurements, make, model, specifications required or perhaps you need to more about general value and potential cost for additional materials and installation.  Ask what the stores “HOLD” policy is and clarify if the time period extends over days that the store is closed or not.  EX:  If you see an item that you would like to have held on Sunday 3 PM and the store does not open again until Tuesday at 10 AM, when is the item no longer being held?

At certain times of the year these stores will have sales with reduced pricing on selected items or if they receive a large quanitity of inventory of a particular type of item, i.e. flooring they might hold a sale for 50% off on all flooring materials.

Be brave.  Be bold and ask if ever reduce prices or have sales on items and if so when.

Hint... Hint... Holiday weekends are normally when most individuals tend to clean and purge their households of items for donation.  Therefore, organizations and stores that receive donations often try to make room for incoming merchandise. 

ReBuild, for example, normally has percentage off sale of listed goods the week prior to a holiday that falls on a Monday.  The three piece Teddy cabinetry went from the tag price to 50% off when I purchased it the week prior to the 4th of July.  $500 down to $250 for the entire set of custom wood cabinets and shelving.

Some of the items that I carry on these hunting expeditions include:

·         Tape measure

·         Notebook

·         Pen and/or pencil

·         Digital camera (cell phone camera will suffice, as long as it has a built-in flash)

·         Flashlight (to aid in checking dark areas of the stores, as well as under and around objects for defects, model #, etc.)

·         Written notes with dimensions and details of the space and items needed for a project.  If very specific make, model number and finish are needed, make certain you have your details with you.

·         Hand cleaner and paper towels

·         Work gloves

My rational is that most of the items are a mere fraction of the cost of manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP).  Per chance, if the item or material is not suitable or does not work out than donate it back to the store you purchased it from or post it on a site such as Craigslist.org and attempt to re-coop the funds.

Some people gamble at casinos or by purchasing lottery tickets.  I can be honest with myself and others and admit that I sometimes take a gamble by spending a little cash on building materials and items for the house.  I can truly be a risk and rewards situation.  But, I find that usually the rewards far outweigh the risks.

Cha-ching! $ !