So if you have a big or small project, there's a great store that can make those do-it-yourself projects even cheaper. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a store that's open to the public. Most of the items have been donated by businesses, people and contractors, and the prices are less than half the retail price.
It's getting closer to demolition day for the Ol' Bayou Manor, a retirement community off Braeswood Boulevard. In its place will soon be a 14-story high rise. So what happens to all the old stuff?
It doesn't get thrown out, it gets moved out and onto the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in southeast Houston. Ceiling fans, doors and microwave ovens are just some of the items that will be sold for pennies on the dollar to help the charity.
"The thing is we don't give anything away, but we don't price to hold onto it, we price it to sell it because we are all about making the dollars for Habitat, that's what we do is we make a few dollars so we can build homes for Houston Habitat," said Richard Conner with the Habitat Houston ReStore.
Conner says microwaves, efficiency dishwashers and efficiency stoves will each sell for $50. Interior doors that were once inside the retirement home cost 10 bucks each. The bathroom vanity -- complete with sink and cabinets -- those are running for $50.
"You can't do better than the ReStore," one shopper said.
The ReStore is also filled with one-of-kind pieces, like a vintage piano that was once housed at Ruggles restaurant.
"It's always an adventure to see what you are going to find. It's exciting," another shopper said.
The store carries plenty of used items like water heaters, mini-blinds for five bucks a set and hardwood floor for a $1.40 a square foot.
Some of the great buys are brand new items donated by retailers and contractors.
"When we get new items, we take retail and cut 50 percent," Connor said.
New on the floor this week is a selection of brand new Thomasville lighting fixtures, donated by a local lighting store. One fixture that retails for $150 costs $75 at the ReStore. Brand new doors are also a customer favorite.
"This is solid wood. They're mohagany, they're triple paned, fully weather stripped, ready to go. We sell these for $649," Connor said.
At the big box store, the same door retails for more than $1,000.
