Builders Surplus Shopping Guide

Builders Surplus: An Informed Shopper’s Guide

Why You Should Visit

Exceptional Product Selection: You’ll find a wide variety of building materials, including floorboards (various matching options available), trim boards, 1×6 maple (not always found at big-box stores), oak, mahogany, interior and exterior doors (including special order options like 34” wide exterior doors), and kitchen and bath cabinets and countertops. They also have a large selection of 1x stock.
Competitive Pricing: Prices are often significantly lower than competitors. Expect to find “bargains” and “a fraction of the cost” compared to other stores.
Knowledgeable Staff (Inconsistent): Certain employees are exceptionally helpful and knowledgeable. Tom, Dotty, Len, and Brandon are specifically mentioned for their expertise, patience, and assistance with product selection and loading. Dotty provided detailed design advice, while Tom helped with floorboard and trim board selection. Len assisted with interior doors.
Great Showroom: The showroom offers excellent displays of kitchen and bath cabinetry and countertops, providing a helpful starting point for home renovation projects.
Special Order Capabilities: They handle special orders efficiently. One shopper received a special-order exterior door in just one week, compared to a 12-week wait from other companies.

Inconsistent Customer Service: Be aware that while some employees are highly praised, others are described as grumpy, unhelpful, rushed, or inattentive. Shoppers can expect inconsistent service levels, even on the same day.
Return Policy Concerns: The return policy is weak. One shopper received only store credit for a same-day return of an unopened item. Another received only half their money back after receiving the wrong size door. All sales appear final, with no clear posted policy.
Potential for Errors: There’s a risk of receiving incorrect orders (wrong door size in one instance). Verify your order immediately upon pickup.
Understaffing: The store may be understaffed, leading to long wait times and employees struggling to assist all customers.
Mask Policy Inconsistency: Expect inconsistent enforcement of mask policies.