Where to buy timber?

Dumpster diving at cabinet shops can be a good source for smaller scraps.

-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke

Hi James,

You’re right, Bunnings/Carters/Placemakers etc ie: all retail outlets are quite expensive in NZ.

Trademe can be a good place to find timber – set up a regular alert for timber or firewood – sometimes people renovating will have heaps of rimu to haul away and they assume it is only good for firewood. I’ve also had good luck with some auctions from some of the demolition companies. Even their offcuts can be useful. I picked up a trailer load which contained rimu, matai and doug fir for $20.

Yet another good source is any joiners in your area. Approach them and ask about their offcuts. Here in Christchurch, there is an effort to find useful homes for the waste stream of local companies ( see TerraNova for example ).

Yet another source might be the rubbish bins outside of local companies. I’ve found choice bits of wood in there for the taking just for the effort of taking a look.

You might also try some local sawmills. They may have offcuts which they may be willing to give to you – though this wood might be green.

Good luck! There is lots of wood once you start looking and everyone knows you are looking for wood.

-- If you can't joint it, bead it!

i dont know about new zeland but i buy most of timber as you call it from a local molding maker he buys by the truck load and is more then willing to sell to me for 5% above cost it mostly all ruogh cut he also usally stright lines all of it for me as well just a thought if your looking some time to buy new timber

-- I buy tools so i can make more money,so ican buy more tools so I can work more, to make more money, so I can buy more tool, so I can work more