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May 16, 2006

Save $$$ when purchasing materials

I am currently demolishing and rebuilding a large home between shooting the home improvement shows at present.
I am in the process of obtaining quotes for materials: rebar, concrete, lumber etc.
Well I thought I should share with you my plan for attack or should I say the fun world of negotiation.
Outline everything you need that a home improvement/lumber yard supplier can supply you. Type it all out in a clear format and request the delivery charges!
Start faxing this form to these suppliers. If your details are clear the quotes will be a good clean comparison. They want your business so negotiate for a better price as you have others on standby.
My tip: try to purchase everything through the one supplier. This will save you time and money as you will not be running around from one to another and paying for extra delivery fees which are on the rise.
If you are going to be DIY you will not have the time to be running around. Because if you break a progressive days work you will loose that day.

Saving money and time is a very good thing don't you think.

Posted by karlchampley at May 16, 2006 3:41 AM

Comments

I am in process of building extra bedroom with a bathroom. My home is currently a bedroom bath. I want enlarge it to a bedroom bath. My plans are to build the extra room and bath a 14w by 30L. what are your ideas of how I should use this space and set up. I also need to know about how much it would cost. I've gotten some estimates but are too expensive. Do you think it is possible with a $15000 budget including labor costs. what's your opinion? Please help. Or about how much budget wise?

Posted by: sonia at June 12, 2006 6:49 PM

I'm curious as to whether a sprinkler system can be hooked up to the air conditioning system to water the lawn.

Posted by: Jim at June 21, 2006 10:22 AM

hi, I have a back yard or should say a lack of one there of because it falls so steeply. I would like to do something with it but am not sure where to start. I know I need some type of retaining wall or maybe more than one, because of errosion. but I would also like to have it usable at the same time and I really like water projects and would like to add one with a fall and fish pond. Any ideas would be great. Thanks!

Posted by: Harold Hill at June 24, 2006 3:47 PM

I purchased 3 lots for cash. Now I need to find someone who can build me a house that will have a finished property value that matches those in my area, so my property will not stick out like an over-priced sore thumb.
The properties adjacent to me are valued at Four Thousand. Where can I find plans & a contractor that will help me build a similar home for myself at the same going prices?

Posted by: TigerRose at July 2, 2006 12:53 PM

We have been building a new home for the past 2 years, as our finances allow. I told our plumber that we temporaly ran out of money and would try to finish the work ourselves. Now I find we need professional help on the $5,000. shower installation and the in concrete floor hydronic closed system heat. I must have called him now 20 times to come back but have got no response. The way he has the in floor plumbing under the shower looks very strange to me and I'm worried that another plumber will not be able to come in and pick up where he left off.
Any suggestions?

Posted by: Sandy Rana at July 8, 2006 9:18 AM

I'm looking at buying a house its definatly a fixer-upper but great potential it was built in the 1890's the main thing that worries me is that there are alot of cracks in the ceiling and walls i was told by the realitor that the house was "structuraly sound" but it still worries me that there might be a foundation problem in which i don't want anything to do with any advice on how to tell if its really a foundation problem or just affects of being an old house?

Posted by: Angela at August 4, 2006 1:54 AM

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