How to get deep discounts on home improvement projects

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Summer might just be the time to think about home improvement projects. But don't pay full price for the materials.

Wait and go to the big stores after you've first visited the Habitat For Humanity Restore.

When you walk inside the southeast Houston store, sometimes it's a treasure hunt and sometimes the best deals are easy to spot.

"You never know what you are going to find," shopper Carolyn Marble said. "I have found some really good values."

The Habitat For Humanity Restore is filled with gently used items, brand new inventory, and supplies you can order to spruce up your home. And it's all for a good cause.

"All the profits go back to Houstonians that need help," Habitat Restore's Mike said.

While the inventory is constantly changing, depending on the donations, some items in the store are always available.

"If you have the time to invest you can look around and find flooring and tile and all sorts of things," Marble said.

For example, front doors at the big box prices are $1,000. The restore price is $450-$600.

"If you look, really all you have to do is put them in, they are already painted," Mike said.

Need a new back door? A new screen door that would ordinarily cost $150-$200 is just $20 at Restore.

If you need to re-tile your kitchen or bathroom, you may want to check out Restore first. The store has two aisles of tiles with many mosaic sheet options that are deeply discounted.

"Most of the mosaics go from $10 to $12, all the way to $20 a sheet, and we are able to price it at $7.99," Mike said.

One of the best bargains at the store are energy efficient windows. You can find windows that retail for $2,500 for just $300.

"We were lucky to get a large donation of Gulf Coast windows, which are double hung energy efficient and some of them have the screens," Mike said.

The store received 600 windows that are marked down 75 percent off the original price.

Another big donation that just made it in is used appliances. An apartment building that is doing remodeling donated their old ones.

"All together is should be 2,500 appliances that we should be receiving," Mike said.

Refrigerators are $150, ranges cost $150-$200, stackable laundry units are $250, and full-size washer and dryers start at $150.

Another hot deal is Pittsburgh Paint for 40 percent off. A gallon will set you back just $16.

There are several Habitat Restores in the Houston area. Click here to find the location nearest you.