For every do-it-yourselfer who lives in Boston, Building Materials Resource Center and Boston Building Materials Co-op should be ground zero for all your home projects!...

The long names sometimes confuse people but there is nothing unclear about how useful these two resources are for Boston renters and homeowners. Here is the simplest way to keep these two related, but separate resources straight: Building Materials Resource Center (BMRC) = recycled stuff, and Boston Building Materials Co-op (BBMC) = new stuff.

BMRC is cholk-full of donated treasures and cast-offs from renovation projects. BMRC hosts an impressive inventory of (mostly secondhand) kitchen cabinets, sinks, window shades/blinds, light fixtures, hardware, doors, windows, lumber, and some architectural salvage. You'll also find molding, tiles (they only carry new tiles, even though they're sold in the "recycled" materials section), and other random building supplies that could be used for large scale renovations or small scale projects like making your own desk. The prices can't be beat and you're reducing your carbon footprint by reusing perfectly good materials. Also if you're doing a renovation, contact BMRC to donate any reusable materials.

Across the parking lot from the BMRC you'll find an equally rich resource at the Boston Building Materials Co-op, which sells new materials, specializing in kitchen cabinets, countertops, doors, windows, and weatherization supplies. They even sell low-flow toilets! One of the most surprising and valuable assets of the BBMC is their annual membership ($25 for homeowners and $15 for renters) which includes 4 free hours of design assistance from their in-house kitchen designers; discounts on their rotating roster of classes (e.g. Tiling, Window and Screen Repair, Finish Carpentry: Baseboards); and access to their dense tradesperson referral files.

Browsing and talking with staff at BMRC and BBMC is such a welcome departure from places like Home Depot. The staff is super helpful and knowledgeable and you get as much one on one support as you need. So next time you're headed to Home Depot or Lowes, do yourself a favor and stop FIRST at BMRC and BBMC!

For more information, check out the Building Materials Resource Center website here and the Boston Building Materials Co-op website here!

We'd love to hear about your experience with BMRC and BBMC!

(Images: Kyle Freeman)

BMRC and BBMC Address 100 Terrace Street Boston, MA 02120

BMRC
617-442-8917
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday Closed

BBMC
617-442-2262
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday closed