I've gone to our locally Habitat for Humanity store rather frequently, especially during the year I was re-habbing a duplex apartment on the cheap. I bought light fixtures, interior doors, closet doors, an exterior door, plumbing parts, a ceiling fan, a stove vent fan, several door knobs, a bathroom lavatory sink, and the low flow toilet.

Some of the items were amazingly good bargains, like the tracklight light fixtures for $1 each. Other item I had to laugh at their price since it was more than a comparable new item would be. And lastly you have to be careful since for a couple of items, like the ceiling fan and bath tub drain, parts were missing, and you have no recourse. I was able to make the ceiling fan work for me, but wasn't able to make the drain work, and had to buy a new one from the hardware store.

I visit the two in our area every week. I always find something I can put to good use. My purchases help Habitat do their wonderful work. My stores give you seven days to return something if you're unhappy with it, as long as you bring the receipt with the merchandise.

We've given lots of stuff to Habitat. When we remodeled our kitchen and master bath, they took everything.

At one point just after removing the site-built cabinets in the duplex I was working on, I stopped at the Habitat store and saw that they had the exact same cabinets for sale -- albeit mirror image versions of the ones from my duplex. The owner of the next building over was redo-ing one of those units at the very same time.

Also near the end of the remodel job, I found out that the son of the tenant in the other half of my duplex, was the boyfriend of the manager of the Habitat store. Although I was never able to use that relationship to any advantage.

Our daughter volunteered to help build houses in the Dominican Republican for Habitat for Humanity several years ago. The homes were carefully constructed. They were small by our standards, but of good quality. The people were so excited, particularly since there had not been any indoor plumbing in the village.

Don't own the house in which I live ... likely wouldn't be planning to renovate, if I did.

But ... the local Habitat is pleased to get my cheque.

And the receipt for the contribution is helpful, come tax time.

ole joyfuelled

Where is the Houston store Lucille?
I have always wanted to go to one.
I know several people that have bought great deals from there.

I'm not Lucille but a quick 'net search says:

Restore - Habitat for Humanity
6161 S Loop E
Houston 77087
713-643-1100

Here is a link that might be useful: Habitat RESTORE

I Googled it too and there are several of them. Luckily there's one on the north side too. I will put that on the list for our next outing.

we had one go in last year and have made donations, but don't know if they're still there or not...wondering if they took on too much property (old lumber yard)

I just purchased & laid commercial carpet squares in my laundry room! Beautiful!

They also have granite donated in piles here. I've done several whole house remodels using them.

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