Purchasing Agent

I volunteered to purchase remodeling items for my son’s new house. He will have a contractor remodel the master bathroom and install a laundry closet upstairs. We are also making minor repairs/remodels to other rooms in the house and he is investing in new hardwood flooring for the office, living and dining rooms. So much of my time has been spent working on his house. And I’m having a great time!

I have been buying plumbing and electrical and furniture on eBay and Craigslist and Amazon and the Habitat for Humanity Restore for years now. I often buy Amazon Warehouse deals and if they don’t meet the quality I require I can return them. Craigslist is great for some good deals if you can find items that fit the remodel and are in good shape. eBay can be tricky, some great deals and some mistakes can be made and not all items can be returned. Many vendors are very easy to work with if there are problems though. I have not run into a major scam yet so I am fortunate. I did have one on Amazon but they took care of it for me. Also PayPal will recompense money lost on an online purchase so it is pretty easy to buy online.

The list of items needed for the bathroom remodel was long! Plus I am updating two other bathrooms and the kitchen. Just for fun I thought I would list some of the purchases and the supplier.

Ebay

  • Delta Trinsic Shower Trim, Widespread faucets, Tub Only Trim
  • Kohler Purist double towel rod
  • Steam shower unit and controls
  • Delta tub only valve
  • Cement stain
  • Light fixtures basement hall and bath
  • Smart switches and remotes
  • Kohler faucet valves

Amazon

  • 12″ Rainhead Shower
  • Grab bars for shower
  • Delta dual rough in valve
  • Kohler Vox sinks
  • Kohler hand shower hose and vacuum breaker
  • Grohe hand shower holder
  • Niagara Stealth toilet
  • Kohler soaking tub and overflow
  • Kohler Purist towel bars and matching Gatco Gala robe hooks
  • Cement micro-topping sealers
  • Light cans with LED bulbs to replace halogens
  • Smart switches, rocker switches, and USB outlets
  • Waterproof lights for shower
  • New oil rubbed bronze knobs for kitchen cabinets
  • Schlage wifi lockset for front door
  • Schlage deadbolts
  • Ceiling fan light kit
  • Door stops
  • Electric outlets and switches and plates

Craigslist with some items from Next Door or Facebook Marketplace

  • Kitchen table (Herman Miller) and 4 chairs (Parsons)
  • Dining table (Ikea) and six dining chairs (unknown)
  • Sideboard (maybe Ikea)
  • Trundle bed and twin mattress
  • Twin mattress set and extra box spring
  • Wicker baskets for girl
  • Ceiling fans (2)
  • Couch and coffee table
  • Washer and Dryer
  • Gas slide in range
  • Closet organization system
  • Closet Techline dressers and mirror
  • Two child bedroom sets
  • Baby crib and mattress
  • Basement bath sink and faucet
  • Mud room and front entry benches
  • Two Eames style chairs and ottomans
  • Family bath Kohler sinks
  • Family bath granite, basement bath granite and kitchen quartz
  • Paint and stains
  • Drawers for window seat
  • Maple butcher block table top for kitchen island
  • Bar stools

Habitat for Humanity Restore

  • Family bath backsplash tile
  • Dishwasher
  • White wicker mirror for girl
  • Drawer slides
  • Basement bath towel bars
  • Schlage oil rubbed bronze handle sets for whole house
  • Schlage oil rubbed bronze keyed handles
  • Large black mirror
  • Kohler bath faucets–without valves
  • Insinkerator hot water faucet replacement
  • Electric switches, outlets, and plates

Of course I still purchase several materials at the local Home Depot. I sometimes use Ace and Lowes, but not as often. I found tile at Lowes that I could not find elsewhere and Ace has unique hardware when needed as well as some good deals on paint. But if can find discounts on items using these outlets, I’m very happy to do that. I say my house is the one that Craigslist built and we are content with our finds. Even though it was not just Craigslist but eBay, Restore and Amazon that contributed.

Used GE dishwasher
Used GE dishwasher
New master bathtub
New master bathtub
Butcher block, stove and knobs
Butcher block, stove and knobs
Kohler Purist hand towel bar and robe hook
Kohler Purist hand towel bar, robe hook
Basement bath granite, sink and faucet
Basement bath granite, sink and faucet
New Shlage Door Handles
New Shlage Door Handles
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