How to Buy Cheap Construction Supplies and Materials on Craigslist

Do you want to do a home remodeling or building project? If so, you may want to save money and bypass the professional handyman. You can save money and have control by opting for a do-it-yourself project. To find cheap building supplies and materials for these projects, visit Craigslist.org.
To get started, visit the Craigslist website. Then, select your state and nearest city. Look on the left-hand side of the page for the search box. The search settings are automatically set to for sale products. All you need to do is enter in a search phrase.
Searching Craigslist for cheap construction supplies and materials sounds easy, but there are many materials listed on the website. To save time searching, use relevant keyword phrases. Do you need lumber for a new fence? Do you need carpet for your living room? Search with the type of building material you need. Good search phrases include materials, construction, carpet, door, cabinets, lumber, wood, drywall, teak, and so forth.
After performing a search on Craigslist.org, you will see a list of headlines. These are for sale items that met your search criteria. For example, if you searched for cabinets, you see them listed for sale. Click on the headline for more information. Before agreeing to buy building materials or construction supplies you find listed, know what you are buying and in what condition. For example, some building supplies are sold as new and others are used. Used is okay, but you should receive a good discount. Use the provided contact number or email address to get more information or to make an offer.
In addition to finding construction materials and supplies for sale on Craigslist, you may find a few items for free too. It is not uncommon to get free scrap building materials. These are used. Unfortunately, there are occasionally some strings attached. You will likely need to pickup the materials yourself and you may need to disassemble.
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The Easy Ways To Find Affordable Building Supplies

Building construction is an expensive form of investment. Whether you are going to build a house or a commercial space for your business, you have to spend a handsome amount for that. With regards to this, many people are thinking of ways on how to save money from building supplies. Will there be any possible way to save money while you are doing your construction?

Of course, there is! You can save money if you learn the ways to find cheap and affordable building supplies!
Getting cheap or affordable materials is considered as one of the most important things for anyone who likes to build something simply because this can help him save money. So, for you to find these cheap building supplies, you need to be extra careful in performing it so that you will not feel sorry and regretful in the end.

When we talk about the right process to purchase cheap building materials, reading this article will definitely help you. Continue reading and learn the best information for your construction needs so you can make them suitable for you.

*Knowing the kind of building you are going to make is the first ting you need to do. If you know the type of building, then you will also know the right kind of materials to buy. This will reduce the chance of committing mistakes in the process of buying building supplies.

*Spend time to walk in your area and look for other constructions. This will help you pinpoint the type of construction you will have.

*You also need to talk with the construction workers and make a discussion about the kind of materials and building supplies to be used for the construction. Talking to these people will allow you to have a clear picture or estimate about the bud get for your construction. Feel free to tell them the kind of construction you want so they can help you assess it.

*Information about building supplies can be obtained from the center of building and construction supplies. Prices are presented in each center, so you will have the option to compare prices from one center to another. This will lead you to purchase the more affordable ones.

*The moment you have gathered enough information, you may now go home, finalize your decision, and start the kind of construction you want. Just make sure that you do the preparation in a correct way.

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Construction Supplies & Services Are the Backbone of All Structures

Construction supplies and services involve the distribution and availability of materials and manpower for building homes, offices and other structures. There are several construction supplies and services that are needed in building any structure. From concrete to roofing materials and cement masons to finishing carpenters, all of these are important in order to construct even a very simple house. Without the proper materials, a structure will immediately fall into ruins.
Construction supplies are building materials and products used for the different procedures involved in construction. These include the following construction supplies categories:

• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Decking and landscaping
• Doors
• Elevators and lifts
• Faucets
• Flooring
• Insulation
• Lighting and wiring devices
• Molding, millwork and stair parts
• Plumbing fixtures
• Pools, spas and saunas
• Roofing
• Siding and veneers
• Wallboard, paneling, tile and ceilings
• Windows, skylights and sunrooms

Construction services which are vital for all the phases involved in building a structure include:

• Brickwork - bricklaying, used in finishing openings and constructing walls
• Carpentry - a wide range of woodworking
• Cement mason - concrete finisher, applies concrete on the foundation and floors
• Drainage - for the artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water such as from sinks and the bathroom
• Electrician - electrical wiring
• Elevator mechanic- installation and safety of elevators
• Heavy equipment operator - drives engineering vehicles such as excavators, cranes and loaders
• Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning - climate control
• Iron workers - metal works and metal fabrication
• Laborers - unskilled construction workers who serve as assistants and those who are given responsibilities on or using blasting, hand tools, power tools, air tools and small heavy equipment
• Insulation - heat transfer from the source to the different areas of the construction
• Joinery - woodworking joints, wooden fittings
• Masonry - work with bricks, stones, marble and granite among others
• Painting and decorating - painting of the interiors and exteriors of the structure
• Pipe fitter - laying out, assembling and fabricating piping systems
• Plastering - layering of plaster and decorative moldings
• Plumbing - pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water and drainage of waste
• Roofing - construction of beams and outer weatherproof skin
• Steel fixer - positions and secures steel
• Stonemason - sculpturing and shaping of rocks used in construction
• Tile setter - sets the tiles on the sinks, walls and floors
• Window installer - fits and installs windows

7 Great Tips To Help You Choose The Right Builder

Choosing a builder to work on your home is a very important decision. If your building project is not carried out to a sufficient standard and not choosing the right construction supplies, you could be left with escalating costs and a great deal of stress. This article overviews 7 great tips to help you choose the right builder. Follow this guide and you will be more likely to make a good decision:

1) Find out how long the builder has been in business.

Ask the builder how long they have been in business, and try to verify their answer. If the builder is a Limited company, you can check the date of incorporation on Companies House. If they are a sole trader, you could call HMRC or Customs and Excise (if they are VAT Registered) and try and verify when the sole trader business was formally registered. Just making these enquiries may uncover things that shed a bad light on the builder. For instance, if they have never formally registered their business and are not declaring income for tax purposes - is this the kind of person you want to deal with? All being well, you will find that exactly what they have told you is readily verifiable, with little effort.

2) Does the builder have a permanent business address.

Ask the builder for their business address, and verify it. Again, if the builder is a limited company, you should be able to find out the trading address and registered office address from companies house. If they are a sole trader, you could verify their address through HMRC or Customs and Excise. If it is less than straight forward to find out and / or verify the address of a builder, then this should raise some alarm bells. Any business who does not have an easily identifiable address is likely to be one that does not want to be found. Reputable business want to be found.

3) Request and validate 'recent' client testimonials.

Always ask for the contact details of at least 3 past clients of the builder - and make sure you speak to each of the 3. Ask for some detail about the work carried out, when it was carried out, what was the cost etc... The more detail you can get the better. Try to establish whether they have any personal connection with the builder. If possible, ask if you can visit to take a look at the work that was carried out. A real client will usually be more than happy to show off their new extension if they have been genuinely happy with the workmanship of the builder.

4. A thorough quotation = a thorough builder.

Less reputable builders are likely to provide quotations quickly and with only very basic effort. It will not represent any detailed thought process, and will often just be a ballpark estimate. You should beware, as this lack of attention for detail could end up being the attention to detail that the builder puts into your building project. A detailed quotation, where the builder has broken down the project and costed each individual element should fill you with more confidence that you will get what you are being offered.

5. Education, education, education.

Educate yourself about the type of project you want carried out, and make sure you are clear about average / expected costs, likely duration and general materials used. There is a wealth of information on the internet, so it is quite straightforward to spend some time educating yourself. Make your knowledge clear to the builder. If it is clear they know what you are talking about, they are less likely to try and take advantage.

6. Is the builder adequately insured, and what cover do you get on completion.

Ask the builder about insurances and warranties to cover their work. Ideally, you should be covered both during the work is being carried out for any collateral damage caused to your property, and after the work is finished. Make it clear that you will require written confirmation of the insurances / warranties covering their work before you proceed.

7. ONLY EVER proceed on a FIXED cost basis with a WRITTEN contract.

Never, ever go ahead unless you have received a clearly detailed FIXED cost for the project - and you have a WRITTEN contract.

Hopefully these 7 useful tips will help you make a wise decision when choosing a builder. Don't cut corners - and don't get carried away by slick salesmanship or a cheap quote. In fact, you should never choose a builder just on price - as the cheapest quote often ends up being the one that will cost you the most.

As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for" - and never has this been truer than with the building trade.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_P_Best

How to Have a Safer Road Construction Environment

Construction work sites are full of hazards for workers that have to be accounted for with good engineering controls, safe working practices, and an effective personal protective equipment (PPE) program. On active roadways, road construction crews face additional challenges and hazards. One of the biggest dangers is low light and nighttime conditions that many crews will face. High visibility clothing is just one necessary component for a safe work environment.

There are a wide variety of industrial supplies available that are effective as personal protective equipment and will keep workers safe. It is important that every person is trained and properly uses their PPE at all times so that everyone can finish their shift and go home safe to their families.

Dealing With Low Light And Night Working Conditions

Everything becomes more hazardous at night; even a simple hose lying on the ground becomes a fall hazard. On an active roadway, each passing motorist represents a potential hazard as well. Even with flood lighting, workers need to be wearing high visibility clothing that meets ANSI standards. Regular clothing will allow a motorist to see a worker at around 300 feet, but high visibility clothing extends that range to 1280 feet. This is a key difference, as a vehicle traveling at highway speeds needs about 1200 feet of stopping distance.
For high risk job environments, such as those on an active highway, ANSI class three high visibility clothing is required. This consists of a reflective vest, sleeves, and trousers that outline the human form. For low risk job sites, such as ones that are physically separated from high speed traffic, usually only a reflective vest is required.
High visibility clothing is a requirement for all safe working sites, and it is only a matter of time before it is federally mandated as well.

Industrial Supplies To Protect The Head

Head injuries would classify as another primary concern for construction crews. Anything from a dropped tool to a low hanging beam can cause serious injury to an unprotected head. That is why hard hats should be like a second skin for workers and should be worn at all times when on the job.
Other head protection includes safety glasses and face shields to protect the face and eyes, and ear plugs or ear muffs for hearing conversation. Even a short project can leave a person with hearing damage without noise suppression industrial supplies. Best of all, a hardhat can be outfitted with an attached face shield and ear muffs for all-around protection with just one item of PPE.

Head To Toes

Comfortable, protective industrial footwear is the foundation of a safe worker, literally and figuratively. Steel toe boots can provide complete protection and support for daily activities on the job. The steel plating protects against crushing injuries, non-slip tread helps to eliminate slips, trips, and falls, and a high ankle will cushion against sprains. For wet environments, including water and chemicals, slip-over latex boots are ideal for adding an additional layer of protection. After being on one's feet for an entire shift, it pays to have a good set of industrial footwear that is comfortable and fits right. Make sure to shop around for the right brand, style, and fit for each person.

Matching Industrial Supplies To Hazards

As a part of a safety review, potential work site hazards should be identified so that every person on site can utilize the right equipment to keep them safe. This includes the right apparel for protection against temperature, chemical splashes, flash fires, and arc fires. Fall suppression systems and lanyards are a must for any elevated work. Nearly every job site should have a wide range of gloves available for protection against injury and chemicals, if applicable.
Other industrial supplies that are not worn on the body are important as well. Signage near road work is a vital tool for communicating between workers and passing motorists. Caution cones, barrels, and other barriers should be used to direct the flow of traffic and offer a degree of separation between the crew and motorists. Fire extinguishers and first aid kits are indispensible for small fires or injuries.

In the end, construction supplies management should utilize a safety review to determine what types of industrial supplies and high visibility clothing are required for each project. Utilizing an industrial supplier that carries a full line of products allows for a good discount and superior service while maintaining a safe work environment.

Top 8 Ideas For Construction Zone Party Supplies, Games and Decorations

1. Bring on the Builders for your next Construction supplies birthday party! Invite your child's friends to your child's birthday party with themed invitations. Or create your own by using bright yellow card stock, cutting each one into the shape of a truck, coloring in the windows and wheels and writing all the fun party details inside.

2. To prepare your party room, place a themed banner in your entry way to greet your guests. Hang plenty of bright red and yellow balloons and ribbons from the walls and ceilings.

3. To decorate your construction Zone party table, use a bright yellow table cover and use a Red Police Light or an 8" Traffic Light as an eye-catching centerpiece. Round out your table with truck cups, plates and napkins for your building enthusiasts!

4. As your guests arrive, hand each one a construction zone yellow (or pink for girls) hard hat.

5. Hammering Contest. Place nails or push pins in a board and see who can hammer them into the board in the least time. If you don't want to use real hammers, you can substitute 28" Inflatable Hammers (from Zippa) and use wooden pegs or another softer item instead of nails. Give the winners (or all the participants) 3" Construction Trucks or Tool Clickers.

6. For a great game, play "Builders and Bulldozers". Set up at least 5-10 hula hoops and fill them with balls and jacks and beanbags, etc... Split all the children into two teams. Assign one group the "Builders" and one group the "Bulldozers". Say, "One, two, three, Go!" and the bulldozers start taking things out of the hoops. Then the builders will pick up the same objects and put them back inside the hoops. The Bulldozers and Builders simultaneously take things out and put things into of the hoop. After a couple of minutes, say, "Stop!" If there are more things out of the hoops then in, the bulldozers win. If there are more things in the hoops then out, the builders win. Give all the children toy construction trucks as prizes for playing the game.

7. Roll out the truck pinata! Fill your truck pinata with a 5- lb. candy mix, Bob the Builder tattoos, Truck blowouts, Tool Clickers, Kooky Chew Treats, and a Pinata Toy Assortment. Use a Pinata Bat and Blindfold and let each child take three tries to break the pinata.

8. Make sure to have Construction Zone Loot Bags ready after the pinata breaks for your guests to fill with toys and candy!