That’s not to say we’re a hater on the big box. Big home improvement stores provide two key features: convenience and selection. If you’re in desperate need of a tool, you have little option but to pay full retail. But, if you can put a little time into planning, there are some alternatives. Here’s how we see them.

1)  Beg and borrow – By far the best way to get your hands on the tools you need is to ask your friends and family. Of course, you don’t want to be a leech, so make sure you give something back. Maybe you could help them with a project of theirs, or lend them some of your tools that they don’t have.  One of the best ideas is to coordinate your major tool buys with your friend group. One of you buys the hardwood flooring nailer while the other buys a wet tile saw. This way, no one has to own or store a bunch of tools you might only use once.

One rather innovative way to borrow is to see if your area has a tool library. While not very common, some counties have tool libraries that will allow you to borrow tools subject to an agreement. Check out Santa Rosa County’s Tool Library for one example.

2) Rent – You’ve probably visited the rental center at the local big box at some point in your life, but if you haven’t visited recently, you should. Rental centers are renting more and more tools. Especially for large tools like compressors, chipper-shredders, cement mixers, etc., this can be a very good option for reducing costs. Most tools rent for about 10% of the cost of  the tool for a single day, or about 25% of the cost of the tool for a full week. You can see Home Depot’s Rental Center selection right on their special web site.

3) Buy Online – Big online retailers like Amazon.com and Toolking.com offer HUGE tool selections online, usually with free shipping over a certain amount. For example, Amazon offers free shipping on almost all orders over $25.00. Amazon frequently has prices about 5% lower than what you can find in stores, but in many places you also avoid sales tax by purchasing online, which can mean a full 10% savings on your purchase. Plus, you save the gas by not driving to the store!

4) Use a Coupon – If you haven’t noticed yet, many online retailers are offering coupons online these days. You can find a whole list of home improvement coupons over at One Project Closer. They feature great deals and discounts from many retailers. For example, you can get Craftsman discounts on their Sears coupons page, or you can get Ryobi and Ridgid discounts on their Home Depot coupons page. This is a great way to get tools on the cheap – usually 10-15% off. If you purchase from an internet-online retailer, you can save even more by avoiding sales tax.

5) Time Your Purchase Around Sales – You can also time your purchase around sales. The best deals of the year usually come on Black Friday weekend, but almost all home improvement retailers also offer deals on all major (and minor) federal holidays. In our experience, the second best time of year to purchase tools is about 2-4 weeks prior to Father’s Day.

That’s it. Five good ways to save money on your next tool purchase! Happy shopping!

This book covers:

• Understand the lifecycle of building materials
• Choose the right system for your green building project
• Put together a green team
• Work within your budget
• Use green building methods and sustainable systems
• Speed construction and reduce energy use and waste
• Refinish old fixtures and materials
• Beware of asbestos and lead-paint hazards
• Avoid costly mistakes

So if you’re looking for a simple book about green building and remodeling then buy yourself a copy of Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies.