Cheaper than Home Depot

[blub]

I recently bought a house and I'm starting to accumulate some tools and take on little projects. It's easy to run over to Home Depot and pick up what I need, but it seems pretty expensive.

What are the usual places to look for better prices than Home Depot? I am primarily curious about tools and building materials (expecting to get different answers for each), and interested in both online and brick & mortar alternatives.

[MicroRN]

If you don't need a specific tool right at the time, look for craigslist and yard sale/estate sale buys.  We got an older but functional belt sander for $2 from a big community yard sale, and a box of assorted other tools for $5.  I have a friend who swears by pawn shops for power tools, though I haven't tried that myself. 

For building materials, check the Habitat for Humanity Restore if you have one in the area. 

[Glenstache]

Many neighborhoods are starting to have tool libraries, which can be a good option for the intermittent DIYer. There are a few of the scattered around Seattle and I doubt that we are unique in that.

[Marvel2017]

Craigslist. Also, Harbor  has some good "knock-off" tools that do the job for sometimes MUCH cheaper than a tool that might be kindof a specialty item with other retailers.

[Rural]

Look for independent building supply salvage places in addition to the ReStore. ReStore is great, but usually there are other options, too, which can be a real advantage When you're looking for one particular thing. Some have tools, some only supplies.

[Bob W]

You actually need few tools for home projects.  Basics are circular saw, drill.  You can buy a nice set of what you need for less than 100.  Basically rehabbed my entire house with these two tools and some cheap hand tools.

[Greg]

I recently bought a house and I'm starting to accumulate some tools and take on little projects. It's easy to run over to Home Depot and pick up what I need, but it seems pretty expensive.

What are the usual places to look for better prices than Home Depot? I am primarily curious about tools and building materials (expecting to get different answers for each), and interested in both online and brick & mortar alternatives.

It might help to imply where you live, as there are great alternatives to big-box stores depending on where you live.  You can sometimes get a premium for signing up for a store credit card, I have 2 ladders from doing this. 

One thing to note when comparing new tool prices is warranty and what comes with the tool, as in accessories.  I find that in many cases key accessories are left out of the big-box versions of tool sets to get the price down.  For instance, I had to special order a ripping guide for a circular saw I purchased once , when it obviously was intended to be in the case if you studied the contours of the inside of the lid of the case.  That sort of thing.

[Rezdent]

We've had great success in the past with pawn shops, the ones around here are drowning in tools.

[blub]

Thanks for all the replies so far. They've been really helpful.

It might help to imply where you live

I'm in a suburb of Dallas, TX.

[paddedhat]

Tools. Take a look at buying reconditioned, instead of new. Over the last decade, or so, I have bought many of my tools from cpoindustrialtools.com  These guys sell factory reconditioned Makita products. Typically at 25-30% less that shelf prices at the big box stores.  I have gotten some real interesting stuff from them. On occasion, it's sold as reconditioned, but obviously brand new. In other cases, it's is a tool with extremely light evidence of prior use, such as a slight scratch.  In one case, I got a killer deal on an ultra-light circular saw that was almost perfect, but the blade guard had been replaced with a used one, with another company's ID info. engraved on it. I recently started buying similar stuff on Amazon, and scored a leaf blower that listed for $200, sells for $160, and was $104 with no tax and free delivery, as a reconditioned unit.

Material.  Be aware that big box stores love to create the illusion that they are the go to place for low prices, and that this is a fantasy, in many cases. If you are doing a big project (new garage, room addition, finishing a basement, etc..... you need to get bids on the material. Draw up a professional list, and present it to Home Depot, Lowes, and your local suppliers. Be sure to tell the local guys that you are paying cash, before delivery. There are areas where my local suppliers can, and do, beat the snot out of the box stores. I can literally have a whole house trim package, Doors, baseboard, casing, closet shelving etc.... for less than half of the shelf price at my local HD. If you are doing a one and done deal, and do not need to maintain a relationship with your local, independent yards, you can also take the lowest bid you get and make HD beat it by 10%. As a builder, I needed to keep my local guys in my corner, but I have seen some guys do this with big jobs, and save stunning amounts.

[guitar_stitch]

We've had great success in the past with pawn shops, the ones around here are drowning in tools.

I can second this.  The vast majority of my complex tools are pawn shop jobs.

[Numbers Man]

Costco has a great set of tools for about $20. The same amount over at Home Depot would run you north of $100.

[Woodshark]

Another plug for Harbor Freight tools.  I have one near me (you might have to mail order) but you can't beat there prices on tools. Yes, they are cheap import tools, not made for professionals...BUT, if you need something for occasional use (like a laminate router) or performs a basic function (like a dead blow hammer or knee pads) you cannot beat the price.  Heck, I bought a $10 grinder there to cut stone when we were covering the our foundation walls.  I abused the $hit out of that thing and it still works. There is good stuff and things that are not worth buying at all. Fortunately people have done the research for you. Do a search on "Harbor Freight gems".  Happy hunting.

[Dan_at_Home]

Also check to see if you have a place that has recycled or leftover tools and building materials.  They have one near my area called "Restore" and MMM often mentions one near him he visits often.  The only disadvantage to these is that they are really hit or miss, they have prices so much lower than the box stores but the selection is much more random and hap-hazard.  They are a great deal if they have what are you looking for. 

Also with materials, it also depends on whether you need the stuff right away.  If it is a project that are thinking about doing a year from now, you can be patient and keeping checking your local CL list to see if you can get some ahead of time.  If really need it ASAP you are probably going to pay the highest price for it.

[JLee]

Another plug for Harbor Freight tools.  I have one near me (you might have to mail order) but you can't beat there prices on tools. Yes, they are cheap import tools, not made for professionals...BUT, if you need something for occasional use (like a laminate router) or performs a basic function (like a dead blow hammer or knee pads) you cannot beat the price.  Heck, I bought a $10 grinder there to cut stone when we were covering the our foundation walls.  I abused the $hit out of that thing and it still works. There is good stuff and things that are not worth buying at all. Fortunately people have done the research for you. Do a search on "Harbor Freight gems".  Happy hunting.

Yes - definitely do your research first. There are some HF tools that are utterly useless.

[sideofcash]

As a former manager for a big box home improvement company, I can tell you that a lot of the tools in a pawn shop were stolen from the local big box.

If you need a tool for a one off project head to harbor freight. If it is something that you will use on a more consistent basis, Buy quality. Milwaukee or Dewalt.

[Mr. Frugalwoods]

My harbor freight secret:  Sandpaper.  Holy crap it's cheap.  Maybe it's not as good a quality as the home depot stuff, but it's almost 1/10 the price.  It's not 1/10 the sandy-ness :-)

[bzzzt]

My harbor freight secret:  Sandpaper.  Holy crap it's cheap.  Maybe it's not as good a quality as the home depot stuff, but it's almost 1/10 the price.  It's not 1/10 the sandy-ness :-)

Depends on what you're sanding. Wood you're going to paint? Sure. Wood you're going to stain? Eh. Any car related paint prep? Hell no.

[fh2000]

In our neighborhood, we have a Harbor Freight right across the street from HomeDepot, so I compare shop often when I need something.

Harbor Freight often provides 20% off coupons.  Check their website.

During the last Black Friday sale, I picked up an Electric Drain Cleaner, I got one with $200 total including California sales tax.   Since I have to pay plumbers to clean out the drain line underneath my house almost once a year, for $140 per visit, I figure I will pay for this in just a couple of years.

[alberteh]

In our neighborhood, we have a Harbor Freight right across the street from HomeDepot, so I compare shop often when I need something.

Harbor Freight often provides 20% off coupons.  Check their website.

During the last Black Friday sale, I picked up an Electric Drain Cleaner, I got one with $200 total including California sales tax.   Since I have to pay plumbers to clean out the drain line underneath my house almost once a year, for $140 per visit, I figure I will pay for this in just a couple of years.

Why do you have your sewer snaked once a year?

[alberteh]

Oh and to the OP with regards to tools it's buy cheap buy twice. Once you spend some time researching you will be able to find good deals on craigslist, kijiji or stores in general. I've had excellent luck on amazon.com once i knew what to look for.

[GrowingMyStache]

Anytime I'm buying a new, good quality tool, I head to Amazon first.  They usually have a lot of what the big box stores offer at a lower price.  I do a lot of woodworking though so I'm willing to pay up for brand names.

[Bobberth]

Pretty much everything at Home Depot or Lowe's can be found cheaper elsewhere from local suppliers.  The whole "buying in bulk" and "lowest price guarantee" is  just marketing.  Look for local vendors like a plumbing supply, electrical supply, millwork etc.  The only real advantage the box stores have over local suppliers is hours when they are open to 9 or 10pm.  I can get better quality trim for 1/2 the price or less from a local mill but it's tough to get there M-F 7am-3pm.  It's also nice to get professional help while at a specialty shop.  Menard's just moved into our area and their prices seem to be lower than HD & Lowe's for a good number of items.

I agree that Harbor Freight is a great place to get tools but I have a slightly different take on it.  I bought the 12" miter saw a couple of years ago for $120.  A Dewalt 12" miter saw was $500-$600 at the time.  I look at that situation as that I can go through 4-5 HF versions of the saw before I get to the price of the 1 Dewalt saw.  Add in that each time I get a new saw with new features along the way, and for my use, HF wins hands down.  I am currently on HF miter saw #3 but that is because #1 & #2 were stolen just as easily as the Dewalt I had found on sale for $300 prior to those.  I have Dewalt cordless tools-I don't trust HF that much with the batteries but everything else I have is HF.  I have rehabbed my own homes, other flip houses and rental properties and HF works for me.  If it was my job every day, I might have a different opinion on it but I haven't been let down yet in my usage.  I do put top quality blades in my saws though-$120 blade in a $120 saw.

[Ashyukun]

Another vote for Harbor Freight. Their hand tools actually have a lifetime warranty on them. I snapped part of the jaw off of a very small combo wrench a ways back- walked into the store with it and showed it to the employee and they went and grabbed another one out of a set in-store and handed it to me and thanked me for the business. When I first got started working on cars my parents got me a nice large Craftsman tool set that I still use heavily, but these days there's little quality difference that I've seen between their stuff and basic tools from HF.

For more specialized tools you're only going to use occasionally, HF is even better since things are so cheap. Spring compressor that I only need to use a few times a year most of the time? A fraction of the price at HF vs. anywhere else. My HF blast cabinet has been invaluable, though it has a large Sears-bought compressor driving it.

Since it's what I'm more familiar with, FYI if you're looking for some more specialized automotive tools that you only have to use once in a blue moon see if your local auto parts store has it in their loaner tool program. You effectively pay for the tool to 'check it out,' but they refund the full amount when you bring it back. For things your really don't use often and can get pricey, it's quite the money saver.

[Radagast]

I found the best tool deals in my town were at the pawn shop. For some reason lots of people want to sell tools to the pawn shop, but not many think about buying from them.