Where to get low cost building materials?
 

I have a long list of home projects to work on, but most importantly I need to replace my asphalt shingle roof. Every time I mow the lawn I find more shingles that have broken free, and the roof is now old enough to drink (21 years).

I'm going to do the work myself since I have 3 and 4 day weekends, and have a negative cash-flow due to my wife being in med school. Is there a cheaper place to get building materials than Home Depot or Lowes? If not, do the materials ever go on sale?

I'll probably do a tear-off of the original roof and install architectural asphalt shingles, but I'd like to hear other suggestions if there are better products, or if you think I should just roof over the original.

Next year I want to replace the LP siding with something else, likely Hardieplank (suggest alternatives please). At the same time I'll replace the south facing windows which all had gaskets crack and fail due to direct sunlight. I have no idea how to choose a window that will stand up to decades of sunlight.

Is a home improvement store the place to buy these things, or are there cheaper places to source the materials? I have a truck and trailer, so self-delivery is no problem.

Don't get screwed on disposal fees.
Metal roof is one of the cheapest roofing materials.

How do I avoid getting screwed on disposal? I was just planning to take it to the dump.

Call first.
If they are going to charge you too much just put a little in your trash every week.

Now you're thinking like me. It might take a year to dispose of it, but I don't want to pay much.

That's what burn barrels are for. :thumbup:

Try Craigslist. There's a materials section. I've seen some fantastic bargains there.

This might be cost-effective in the long term, but some sort of thermal insulation is required. BTW what about those fiber-cement shingles (asbestos-free, naturally)? Is it available there too?

Whatever. Metal roofs are often put on right over the existing roofing material.

Find your local Habitat ReStore | Habitat for Humanity Int'l

^ Oh yeah, those too!