Planning a weekend home improvement or remodeling project? It’s a perfect opportunity to visit your local salvage and surplus building material warehouse. These places are popping up all over the place are full of unique and interesting items. Typically, the items come from old buildings (before they’re torn down, of course), small remodel jobs, and sometimes even direct from a manufacturer due to overstock or last years model that never sold out.

Not only will you find all kinds of items that are full of character, which can add a unique flair to your home and garden. You’ll also be doing the environment a favor by keeping useful items out of the landfills.

Here’s what you’ll usually find at these salvage and surplus warehouses: windows, doors, lighting fixtures, vintage ironwork and architectural elements, hardware, furniture, lumber, flooring, fireplace mantles, kitchen & bath cabinets, countertops & appliances; landscape & hardscape materials, doorknobs, beautiful antique moldings and trim, and much more. Some items are from historic buildings and may have a back-story that will make for a great conversation when you have guests over. Best of all, the items are unique pieces that you won’t find at your lowe’s and home depot’s today.
There are a few great places to check out locally if you’re interested in seeing what these places have to offer:

Building Materials Resource Center
100 Terrace St.
Boston, MA 02120
http://www.bostonbmrc.org/

Nor’East Architectural Antiques
16 Exeter Rd
South Hampton, NH 03827
http://www.noreast1.com/

Habitat For Humanity ReStore
4 Union St.
Lawrence, MA 01810
http://www.merrimackvalleyhabitat.org/ReStore.htm
(mainly open weekends, check website for hours so you don’t waste a trip)

This list just has a few of the businesses in the area, feel free to look up others- they’re out there!

Hopefully you get a chance to check out the places above, and are able to save some money and get some very cool items for your next project. Also, keep in mind many of these places take donations (especially the Habitat for Humanity) that will allow for you to get rid of some of the gently used appliances and other items around the house. Not only do you save on a disposal fee, but you also get a tax break on it too!