Remodeling on a budget can make the whole process more fun. It challenges your creativity, and it lets you look at items in a way that you may never have considered if you had a blank check for your decorating project. You learn how to re-purpose items, salvage interesting architectural details, and you are helping the environment as well by recycling and reusing.<br><br>Great Finds<br><br>?Every area has many different sources of salvaged building materials. Local remodeling companies frequently have salvage parts that they have recently removed in a demolition job. Some remodeling companies donate their salvage to charities, like the Habitat for Humanity?s ReStore shops, but all too often these salvage parts are just heading to a landfill. Frequently if you contact the company and tell them what type of piece you need, they may have it for you at a reduced price, or even for free. It may be just one less piece that they have to haul to the landfill.<br><br>?When searching for wood or other rough construction material, you can check with new homebuilders in your area. Generally building sites have dumpsters where they discard their scraps at the end of the day. Frequently what a commercial builder calls scrap, you may find to be just what you need. Always get permission from the builder before helping yourself to their scraps, and you may be able to complete your projects for next to nothing.<br><br>?If you have a salvage shop in your area, like ReStore, this is an excellent option for obtaining salvage, recycled and reusable supplies and building materials. Many times salvage stores completely support their affiliate charity. This symbiotic relationship creates a win/win situation for everyone. You get your building materials for a deep discount, and you are supporting sustainable building practices at the same time.<br><br>?Another great place to find salvage building supplies is on the Internet. Trading sites like Craigslist often look for people to haul away their salvage, so it is there just for the taking. Auction sites often sell lots of building materials, and if you check you may find just what you need.<br><br>?A final place for you to check for recyclable building material is right under your nose. It is your own home. As you do your own remodel, consider what you will be removing from your home, and instead of throwing it away, see if you can reuse any of it. Frequently you can reuse something in a different way that what it was originally built to do, and this offers a very unique and personal element to your design. For example, old siding can be used to build a rustic chair rail, or to build faux ceiling beams. If you remove kitchen cabinets, perhaps you can use them in your garage. If you just take a minute to consider other uses before discarding you will do your part to keep from adding to landfills that are already busting at the seams.