Should You Shop in One Place for All Your Home Needs? (And Giveaway!)

This month we're talking about the book Be Your Own House Contractor. Today, I'm highlighting a piece from the book's companion website at http://www.byoh.com/ that says you should shop in one place (as much as you can) for all your home needs:

Q: I found better deals for some items at various building supply companies. You say shop for as much as you can under one roof. I don't get it. If the main way to save money in this business is to shop well, you're wrong aren't you?

A: Well, it wouldn't be the first time! My reasons for buying as much as you can from one source haven't changed much over the years, its just gotten easier to do it as home building centers have grown and become more competitive. Your time is worth something (although one book reviewer who obviously never read my book accused me of not taking one's time into account), and shopping item by item takes a lot of time. You will get better service and a fair price, and you can still bicker over certain items with the one stop store.

If you can get one place to give you a quantity discount and you think they are close in price to what others would charge, then I'd say to stick with one place too. Why spend hours and hours more shopping to save a few pennies -- or even a few dollars. Then again, if you can save a boatload by shopping around, then it's probably worth the time and effort.

Want to know more? You can win a free copy of Be Your Own House Contractor. Here's how it works:

1. Leave a comment below -- any comment.

2. Sometime tomorrow, I'll stop by the post, stop the submissions, and name the winner.

3. It will be that person's responsibility to check back to see if they are a winner and then email me their contact information.

4. I'll send all the winners their books in one mass mailing going out the second week in September.

A few rules for these giveaways:

1. You can not win more than one prize.

2. I will be the complete and final judge.

3. Legal disclaimer: I can not guarantee safe delivery of the items. I'll send them via US Mail, so it's likely they'll be fine, but I can't control it and won't be held accountable if the mail system messes up.

4. If you win something and do not contact me within a week of winning, I reserve the right to give your prize away to another winner. Note again: I won't track down the winners -- it's your responsibility to come back and see if you won.

Good luck! Post a comment below for a chance to win this book!

Comments

[JH]

.

[Richard M.]

Please enter me again.

Thanks.

[FMF]

JH --

Check past giveaways -- I think you won a day or so ago.

[Scott Kustes]

Pick me! Pick me!

[Kevin]

Winner winner chicken dinner?

[ashley]

hello! thanks!

[Justin]

Enter contest.

[Richard]

Looking to be a winner today!

[Seth H]

Trying again!

[Hunter K]

Entering the contest!

[Familyfinanceguy]

Here am I, pick me

[Dave]

I'm glad that you're taking time into the equation! The oft-overlooked factor in big projects is that time is (at least) as valuable a resource as money. Very practical.

PS: Pick me! Pick Me!! Pretty please !!!!

[Carl Heldmann]

Your time,money (borrowing power included), and people skills are what being your own General Contractor IS what it's all about.
Some people actually do not have the time, while others just don't want to prioritize their time differently than it is now.You can kiss your TV, and probably blogging time, GOODBYE when you take on "building Your Own House.
Is it worth it? You bet!
As one wise sage said, "time is all we have".
Carl Heldmann

[Arun]

I want the book.

[Anastasia]

May I have it?

[Brenden]

I'm also glad that you have time in as a factor. My girlfriend loves HGTV and similar shows, but one thing we both can't stand about most of them when they say "You can do all of this for only X dollars" is that they never factor in all of the time. (not to mention the fact that the time spent on the shows is less than normal because of the expert help)

[esther]

trying again

[Thad]

I'm still trying

[Glen]

As a corollary to the tip posted here, know how much you're spending on that store. If you should have a problem that requires management assistance, it's very helpful to state how many thousands you have put into their store and that you would appreciate a break in this particular case.

I haven't had to use it with the local HD, but that's probably because they a) all know me by face and b) give me great service already.

And yes, I'd like the book.

[Brad]

My turn yet?

[Adam]

in for the win

[Jen]

Entering the contest. Thanks!

maybe it's my turn !!!!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$$$

[lilrick]

forgot to add my name on the one above

[Meliruppu]

pick me

[Regina]

I am out looking for a house to buy. I will be a first time homebuyer and have taken homebuyer education classes. I still would like to find ways that I could fix up around the house after I purchase. I am working on setting up a budget, but am not exactly sure how to switch from just barely making the bills and having money for everything when I need it. I would like any help that could be offered, but can not afford to pay anyone.
Please enter me in the contest.

[FMF]

This giveaway is now closed. The winner is Jen who posted at 7:53 pm yesterday. Congrats!

Jen, please email me (see: http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2005/04/free_money_fina_4.html ) and we'll arrange to get you your book.

To the rest of you, stay tuned. I still have one copy to give away!