Red Tail Hawk
Our first non-traditional buys for the barn was at a building reuse it/recycling place in Astoria, Queens. We went to look at a commercial used fridge that had been already sold.
What we did find was nine, 8’ x 3’ brand new un-hung, primed interior doors. They were selling them for $35 each and I managed to talk them into selling them to us for $30 each. We will be using them as pocket doors to retain as much wall space and flow as possible.
This really peaked my interest in what kind of savings could we reap by buying gently used or unused new materials for the build. Unless noted, they were found on our beloved Craig’s List.
Barn ~ First Floor
If I could find this Craig I would give him a big hug and a kiss!
We scored a barely used gas generator from a woman who was getting divorced. It will give us enough juice to run important appliances and have light during outages. We paid a mere $200 for it.
We found two items that have been used for carting all of our new finds home. A trailer made from an old army jeep frame for $250 and a heavy-duty handcart used once for $30.
We found another pair of un-hung doors of the same size but different style that are also new and primed. $35 for the pair
That takes care of all the interior doors minus the two sets of pocket French doors that separate the bedroom suites from the central living area.
Three new, 2 ½’ x 4’, Anderson, vented skylights were found for the three loft spaces. $200 for all
Barn ~ Second Floor Living Space
Antique barn sliding, cast iron barn door hardware. Two full sets for $100.
Nine new vinyl, low e windows with screens for a new build. Enough for both bath suites and the whole back of the barn. All for $300
A little over 300 sq ft of oak flooring with mahogany trim pieces that was salvaged from a 150 yr old brownstone in Brooklyn. $300 (This is my fav find!)
And where are we storing all this treasure? In a trailer— a tractor-trailer trailer— that we bought for $800. I’m hoping to re-vamp this into a guest cottage down the road.
Another find was a large lot of subway tiles for the kitchen at $65. The woman, who after hearing our project, then gave us a large lot of floor tiles that should do at least the mud room and maybe the laundry floors. That happens after folks hear about what we’re doing, they give us other stuff they were going to sell.
It’s nice to know that other people feel an affinity for our project and it’s what keeps us going.
I hope this inspires you to consider looking somewhere other than your nearest box store before you buy that next needed thingy.
And remember, frugal is the new excess!
2009 Dawn Marie Kelly all rights reserved
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