How to Get Free Building Materials

Last Updated: August 17, 2021 References

The idea of finding resources for free building materials may not seem possible to some. With perseverance and some luck, you can find free flooring materials, lumber, kitchen and bath fixtures and just about everything else you need.

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Goods Out for Collection

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Drive through neighborhoods that have bulk pick-ups offered by the city, and check out what people have put out for collection. Think outside the box when you see certain items. For instance, you may not want a big armoire with a missing door, but look at it as a source of free lumber or hardware, such as hinges and door pulls.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

Free Construction Material from Dumpsters

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Check the dumpster area of large apartment buildings periodically, especially when it's close to pick-up day. The things some people throw away could be free construction material for you. Watch for carpeting or area rugs, large pieces of furniture to use as lumber for other projects and paint.

Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

Free Construction Material from Trading or Swapping Services

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Look around your home for items you no longer need. Perhaps you can find someone who has something you need, and you can arrange a trade. Newspapers and some online websites often have an area set aside for trades. You list what you have to trade and what you need while checking out the ads placed by others.^{[2]
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- You can also offer to clean out a basement, garage or storage building in return for the contents of the area. This is often an excellent resource for free flooring materials such as carpeting or area rugs and lighting fixtures.

Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

Recycling Center

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Visit your local recycling center where there is often an area set aside filled with odds and ends that are free for the taking. Most cities now have some sort of recycling group set up where members can list items they no longer need. This is an excellent source for finding free kitchen cabinets from people installing new cabinets themselves.

Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

Free Construction Materials from the City Dump

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Visit your community dump if they allow it. Wear heavy duty clothing, gloves and eye protection as you never know what you will encounter. Many construction companies use the city dumps to dispose of material that they can't use or that they feel is not worth reclaiming. But you won't have the labor costs involved to strip paint from old windows and doors or to remove nails from lumber that the company would have, so it could be a great find for you.

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

Free Construction Materials from Stores

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Visit your local paint stores and see if they have an "Oops" shelf. Many times the paint color is not quite what the customer wanted, and they return it to the store. Rather than dispose of it, the store offers it to customers for free.
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Visit your local flooring stores and check for freebies. They often give away small sections of carpeting that may be stained or too small to sell, odd lots of tiles or pieces of vinyl flooring. While they may be too small by themselves to cover a floor, you could mix and match remnants to cover a room.
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Check out the dumpsters at various stores and commercial buildings to see what they have available. Even if what you find is not useful as construction material, you may be able to trade it for something useful to you, such as nails, screws or other odds and ends.

Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

Freebies from Freecycle

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Check to see if there is a local Freecycle for your area. You can do this by entering the word Freecycle with your county and state or province in your search engine.
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When you find a group, you will need to join.^{[3]
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After you join, put the word out. Explain what you're looking for in the "Wanted" part.^{[4]
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Check to see if the item you're looking for is already available.
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Also take the time to offer something you have but don't need around your house. This makes the whole deal nice and reciprocal.

Community Q&A

Question

Where else could I find boards that are free, aside from your already mentioned tips?

Community Answer

Maybe go to a construction site and ask the superior if he will give you sheetrock and other surplus materials.
Question

My roof is in bad shape and leaks. What can I do if I cannot afford insurance?

Community Answer

You can try to repair the roof yourself. Get the tiles off your roof and put some building plastic as underlayment that hangs in the gutter. This does not fix the issue, but it is an effective and cheap temporary fix.
Question

Where can I find salvaged kitchen cabinets?

Community Answer

If you have a Habitat For Humanity in your area, they often have stores that sell used items to repair your house. We bought several of our kitchen cabinets there. They have odds and ends of hardware, furniture, bathroom items, etc.

Warnings

When trading services, familiarize yourself with the income tax laws involved. Some trading might be viewed as bartering, so check with your accountant.

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