Construction Materials: Best place to buy...

Legacy · 07-11-2009, 04:44 PM

I'm looking to take advantage of the Federal Rebates and do my basement and move my office and hobby rooms down there.

I've been scoping out what I need and how to do it - I think I'll go the DIY route for the office and see how that turns out. Since I'd like to push my $$ as far as possible, I'm looking to buy everything as well.

Can anyone provide some recommendations on where to buy my building materials? I'm looking for some oriented strand board (OSB), rigid pink insulation, framing materials, shielded wiring, cat6 cables, etc. I have been pointed towards Consolidated Gypsum for all of the drywall. I've priced out the usual big box stores - Home Depot, Rona, Totem, etc., but I'm sure there are cheaper places for all that stuff...

Would it be wise to bring in a designer to help with designing the basement? I'm thinking my ideal basement wouldn't be the "ideal basement" for 80% of the population out there - I'm scared that when it comes time to sell, people are gonna come in and wonder what I was thinking when I was building the basement...

Thanks..

nobleea · 07-11-2009, 06:23 PM

I'd suggest Dryco for the drywall. I priced it out at all places when i did the basement over the summer, and they had the cheapest drywall and delivery. Delivery was $65, placed where you want it in the basement. Definitely worth it.

Most of the items you need are commodities and the prices wont vary much (Rona is generally the priciest). Home depot, Totem are usually the same price.

I'd say a minimum for basement is a general purpose room (family room, rumpus, whatever) and a bathroom. Maybe a spare bedroom and some storage. If you have no need for those, but think a future buyer might, just make sure to make your mods removable or retrofittable.

deedub35 · 07-11-2009, 06:40 PM

I recommend buying all your electrical at an electrical wholesaler like BJ Electric, Eecol, Westburne, etc. You'll save quite a bit. For example I recently wired our hot tub. Our 50A GFCI breaker at Home Depot or Rona was about $230. I got it at Westburne for $170.

Gemini · 07-11-2009, 09:34 PM

Would it be wise to bring in a designer to help with designing the basement? I'm thinking my ideal basement wouldn't be the "ideal basement" for 80% of the population out there - I'm scared that when it comes time to sell, people are gonna come in and wonder what I was thinking when I was building the basement...

Thanks..

I know it is your home and you can build it whatever way you desire BUT when building your basement you should think of the design. If you, yourself think 80% of the population will not like the design it could well bite you in the butt if you want to sell. You do not want to alienate 80% of the buying public when the for sale sign is up. It would be too bad if they said 'nice house' but we don't like the basement.
Good luck on your reno though

Chmilz · 07-11-2009, 11:43 PM

I'm looking for a 2nd home right now and I've been looking at stagnant properties that have been on the market for a long time, and nearly all of them have one of the following a) basement/inlaw suites b) pink Barbie kids room c) some special-purpose installation. All are a super pain to reno out, and will turn off 90% of future potential buyers in a second. There's lots of homes out there, it's easy to pick the one that doesn't have the frustration of an unnecessary reno to remove something, as opposed to a much easier reno to add something.

noodle · 08-11-2009, 12:19 PM

I don't much see the point in building the home for someone else though... Build what you want, but keep in mind future uses for yourself & others.

Transplanted_Edm · 08-11-2009, 08:38 PM

I guess it depends on how long you think you'll be living in the home. Less than 10 years and I'd be hesitant on creating all kinds of unique customizations that nobody will appreciate as much as you do.

07-11-2009, 04:44 PM	#1
Legacy Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2009	Construction Materials: Best place to buy... I'm looking to take advantage of the Federal Rebates and do my basement and move my office and hobby rooms down there. I've been scoping out what I need and how to do it - I think I'll go the DIY route for the office and see how that turns out. Since I'd like to push my $$ as far as possible, I'm looking to buy everything as well. Can anyone provide some recommendations on where to buy my building materials? I'm looking for some oriented strand board (OSB), rigid pink insulation, framing materials, shielded wiring, cat6 cables, etc. I have been pointed towards Consolidated Gypsum for all of the drywall. I've priced out the usual big box stores - Home Depot, Rona, Totem, etc., but I'm sure there are cheaper places for all that stuff... Would it be wise to bring in a designer to help with designing the basement? I'm thinking my ideal basement wouldn't be the "ideal basement" for 80% of the population out there - I'm scared that when it comes time to sell, people are gonna come in and wonder what I was thinking when I was building the basement... Thanks..

07-11-2009, 09:34 PM	#4
Gemini Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NE Edmonton	Would it be wise to bring in a designer to help with designing the basement? I'm thinking my ideal basement wouldn't be the "ideal basement" for 80% of the population out there - I'm scared that when it comes time to sell, people are gonna come in and wonder what I was thinking when I was building the basement... Thanks.. I know it is your home and you can build it whatever way you desire BUT when building your basement you should think of the design. If you, yourself think 80% of the population will not like the design it could well bite you in the butt if you want to sell. You do not want to alienate 80% of the buying public when the for sale sign is up. It would be too bad if they said 'nice house' but we don't like the basement. Good luck on your reno though __________________ Yabadabaduh

07-11-2009, 11:43 PM	#5
Chmilz Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2009	I'm looking for a 2nd home right now and I've been looking at stagnant properties that have been on the market for a long time, and nearly all of them have one of the following a) basement/inlaw suites b) pink Barbie kids room c) some special-purpose installation. All are a super pain to reno out, and will turn off 90% of future potential buyers in a second. There's lots of homes out there, it's easy to pick the one that doesn't have the frustration of an unnecessary reno to remove something, as opposed to a much easier reno to add something. __________________ Hold on a moment, my give-a-damn is broken.

08-11-2009, 12:19 PM	#6
noodle Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oliver	I don't much see the point in building the home for someone else though... Build what you want, but keep in mind future uses for yourself & others. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/noodlenoodle/

07-11-2009, 06:23 PM	#2
nobleea Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton	I'd suggest Dryco for the drywall. I priced it out at all places when i did the basement over the summer, and they had the cheapest drywall and delivery. Delivery was $65, placed where you want it in the basement. Definitely worth it. Most of the items you need are commodities and the prices wont vary much (Rona is generally the priciest). Home depot, Totem are usually the same price. I'd say a minimum for basement is a general purpose room (family room, rumpus, whatever) and a bathroom. Maybe a spare bedroom and some storage. If you have no need for those, but think a future buyer might, just make sure to make your mods removable or retrofittable.

07-11-2009, 06:40 PM	#3
deedub35 Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Edmonton	I recommend buying all your electrical at an electrical wholesaler like BJ Electric, Eecol, Westburne, etc. You'll save quite a bit. For example I recently wired our hot tub. Our 50A GFCI breaker at Home Depot or Rona was about $230. I got it at Westburne for $170.

08-11-2009, 08:38 PM	#7
Transplanted_Edm Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	I guess it depends on how long you think you'll be living in the home. Less than 10 years and I'd be hesitant on creating all kinds of unique customizations that nobody will appreciate as much as you do.