There are a few places one should know about when taking on home improvement/remodeling work. There’s the big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes), the neighborhood hardware stores (Ace, True Value), and the supply houses.

These supply houses usually keep stock only for a particular trade (ie. plumbing, electrical, HVAC), and likewise, they cater to those professional tradesmen. They stock much more than what Home Depot carries, but the downside is, you can’t browse their inventory.  That’s where I got the “better” electrical box, quarter turn chromed copper water shutoff valves, etc.

Here’s the usual setup at the supply store: You enter into a typical warehouse, but there’s only a small room with a counter. There’s typically a limited amount of items on display, usually new or hot items, or items they just want to clear out. You go to the counter and get some help.

If you’re me, they take a quick glance at you and continue what they’re doing. About 3 minutes later, the employee might say, “Can I help you?” I smile, and reply “I’m looking for an electrical switch for a closet door jamb that turns on and off when you open and close the door, kind of like a refrigerator light switch.” He gives me a puzzled look, and says “You mean a closet door switch.” He goes to the back, brings back the switch, $13 later and I get to take it home and install it.

Advice is minimal at the supply stores. They either have what you’re looking for, or they don’t (they might be able to order it). If you ask how something works, or how you should install it, they’ll shrug their shoulders or point to another customer (who’s usually a contractor picking up parts for his job). Sometimes you’ll get the nice guy (of which there is usually one at the supply store), who genuinely is trying to help, talking to you about what you need to do, listening to your problem. But in the end he probably does not know what to do either.

There are certain tips one should know about when going to the supply house:

  1. Know exactly what you need to get.  Make, model, part number, etc.
  2. Be confident.  Even if you don’t know what you want, if you’re confident about saying”thing-a-majig that does what-you-ma-call-it”, they more than likely to try to find it.
  3. Look big and scruffy like a contractor.  Not necessary, but it definitely helps.

Now, go out and find your local supply house, and get some cool parts for your home remodel.