Has anyone tried the Habitat Restore Shops? (Alexandria, Chantilly: appliances, new home)

[Caladium]

Has anyone tried buying building materials at the Habitat for Humanity Restore Shops? I understand there's one in Alexandria, Chantilly, and a new one in Purcellville. What did you think of the materials there, and does anyone have an opinion on which store is best? My choice would probably be Purcellville (nicer drive) but I'll drive to Chantilly if it's the better store. I'm looking for materials to build an entertainment center in the basement.

[michgc]

My husband goes to the one in Manassas all the time. Each one will have something different. So you might want to try all of them. You can get great deals. Some of the materials are leftover building supplies. Other times it could be something that a new homeowner didn't want in the house. Some are high end. Others might be builder-grade. We needed a window when we turned our screened-in porch into a bedroom. Because we were flexible on size, it was easy to pick one up at the Restore. We got a $400+ large window for $80. My husband has bought doors there, tiles, and all kinds of stuff. It's a great place to find things but can be hit or miss to find exactly what you want when you want it.

[TyroneBiggums]

I've been to the one in Alexandria.

It's hit or miss in terms of building materials, although I suppose you can get some pretty good deals if you're lucky.

In terms of getting materials to do an entertainment center, I don't remember seeing any furniture-grade wood at the warehouse although I recall seeing some kitchen cabinets. They were pretty rough though.

I got the impression that the warehouse had some leftover materials from new construction/renovations, but a lot of the inventory was just other people's garbage. I guess it's just like that saying about one's garbage being another man's treasure. Anyway, just my $0.02.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

[khuntrevor]

I shop at the one in Manassas, occasionally. I was able to get old light fixture parts needed to repair an old light fixture......For an entertainment center you may want to look at Salv Army or GoodWill. People often leave that stuff behind when they move. I was at HD yesterday and they had about 20 kinds of plywood--I was able to by a 2 foot by 2 foot piece, which is all I needed--that might be handy. Unfinished pine and spruce are relatively cheap now. Fancy hardwoods are not.

[MrsEvie64]

I've been to the ones in Manassas and Purcellville. Maybe it was just the times I went, but the Purcellville one seemed to have better stuff in it.

[vermonter16]

You might try this place too, depending on what you're looking for:

[SIZE=3]http://www.rebuildwarehouse.org/Inventory.html[/SIZE]

[EuroExpat]

How are their appliances? I'm trying to find a "new" washer for our "new" home.

[South Jersey Styx]

I go to the one in Winchester (called Habitat for Humanity ReStore). I think it's great. As others have mentioned, the items are a combination of things pulled from houses being renovated as well as newish things leftover from building newer homes.

I like ours because it has historic items such as transom windows, doors, doorknobs, etc.--helpful to use since we have a historic house and need to replace things made of the same materials and quality. There is some new stuff like carpets, toilets, and used appliances. I have also found great deals on light fixtures, towel bars, paint, wooden appliques, and shutters.

I wander in there frequently, even just to look around.

The Winchester facility is so popular that they are relocating to a new spot.

Also, if you have anything to donate, they are great in coming around and picking it up.

[EuroExpat]

So I just visited the one in Purcerville for the first time. Lots of builder grade stuff and junk and the prices were a bit high. Appliances were pretty old and dirty. But a couple of interesting pieces of furniture and building materials for very small projects. Might visit them again.

[khuntrevor]

I think they will negotiate on prices, EuroExpat, and they will sometimes say "free" or "1 Dollar." They are getting a lot of that stuff for free...I think if they said 600 for kitchen cabinets, you could make a deal for 350.