best place for electrical supplies

[wuntunearlybko]

just wondering if there are any better places to purchase all of my electrical supplies other than Home Depot. i am not in a hurry (although anxious) to get everything so i can wait and i do want to try an save some money.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-cutts-

 

[pattenp]

It varies where I live. Some stuff (breakers, panels, boxes, switches) are cheaper at HD and Lowes while most of the time I can get wire cheaper at my local electrical supply house.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Look up your part numbers and the Google and Shop.

Don't be surprised if Amazon is the cheapest.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Most areas have a local electrical supply house or two, but since you didn't mention where you live it's pretty hard to make a recommendation.

 

[wuntunearlybko]

Look up your part numbers and the Google and Shop.

Don't be surprised if Amazon is the cheapest.

i have looked up a few things and the price diff was neglible... for instance the breaker panel was actually cheaper at HD!

Most areas have a local electrical supply house or two, but since you didn't mention where you live it's pretty hard to make a recommendation.

i have not found a good local elec supply house but then again, until now, i have not looked for one either! I live in Senoia, GA

thanks guys

-cutts-

 

[jbberns]

I like supply houses. Have or can get everything you need. The prices will average out, too. Like the staff better, also.

 

[Falcon67]

Guy around the corner works for a big supply house. I told him what I got for the main stuff at HD and he said he could not have touched it. The romex especially - he said they can't come close to HD or Lowes on price. I bought 130' of 2-2-2-4 AL feeder for 1.47/ft, his local branch of a national supply house doesn't stock it - special order. Just YMMV on a supply house.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I hate to say it...HD is hard to beat.I have access to all the wholesalers in my area,But HD is cheaper on almost everything.I also like the brands they stock as opposed to Lowes.Their pricing on SqD panels and breakers in particular are really good.This is not HD's fault or our fault...it is the manufacturers fault for failing to protect the wholesale end of the industry!!!This is a big problem in the plumbing and HVAC end of things also.I say go to HD and don't feel guilty about it!

 

[wuntunearlybko]

thanks guys. didnt know if there was a major supplier everyone used. i am a small town guy and do all that i can to support local businesses; however if there is a big enough price diff i go the cheaper route... my bills have to get paid too. looks like i will be sticking with my local HD

thanks everyone.

-cutts-

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have several local electrical supply houses I use, as well as branches of the national companies, which I mainly use for voice/data. The local guys do not stock much of that.

 

[BD1]

Got a flea market nearby ? Craigs list ? Garage sales ? t be amazed how many people buy extras and do not want to invest time returning them.

 

[jvitez]

I use HD and a local supply house, depends what I'm looking for. Our HD's here don't stock a lot of bigger cable, and nothing in aluminum. For device boxes and "commodity" items like that, HD has the best price, but the supply house is only a little more. I purchased several load centers from the supply house, and it was cheaper than HD, plus their selection is top notch.

 

[matt151617]

Make sure you price compare. I found #6 bare copper ground wire for 1/3 of the price of Lowes at my local supply house. Same thing with aluminum THWN (which Lowes didn't even have). Also keep in mind what a pain in the *** it is to find someone to cut you wire at Lowes.

 

[matouse3]

I rewired my whole house and bought almost exclusively from HD. They vary their wire prices almost weekly with the cost of copper, so if it looks cheap one week, get a bunch. Also, a little secret that I use is that I get the change of address forms from the post office- they have a 10% off coupon for Lowes in there. You can use that coupon at HD and Menards. HD honors that on everything, Menards only honors on non-sale items.

 

[Jefe]

Don't forget, if you're buying more than just a few items, become friends with the folks at the "pro desk" at HD and Lowes. They will be more than happy to put together a bid with significant discounts for you. I just bought all my electrical supplies for my garage and they saved me about 20% over the marked prices.

 

[indestrolover]

Menards is pretty good if you have one

 

[wuntunearlybko]

I rewired my whole house and bought almost exclusively from HD. They vary their wire prices almost weekly with the cost of copper, so if it looks cheap one week, get a bunch. Also, a little secret that I use is that I get the change of address forms from the post office- they have a 10% off coupon for Lowes in there. You can use that coupon at HD and Menards. HD honors that on everything, Menards only honors on non-sale items.

i will def have to make sure to check their prices often... never thought about the COA forms! good call

Don't forget, if you're buying more than just a few items, become friends with the folks at the "pro desk" at HD and Lowes. They will be more than happy to put together a bid with significant discounts for you. I just bought all my electrical supplies for my garage and they saved me about 20% over the marked prices.

i never knew that! i could sure use 20% off (so far my shopping list is $1000+)

Menards is pretty good if you have one

unfortunately no... here in the south we dont have any Menards.

Got a flea market nearby ? Craigs list ? Garage sales ? t be amazed how many people buy extras and do not want to invest time returning them.

i live in an area where a lot of ppl pay to have work done, not too many DIY'rs around so finding someone who wants to get rid of a stockpile will be and has been impossible (it was my first gut reaction).

now i gotta try and find 100' of underground rated feeder wire to connect panel to panel... THAT's what is going to break my wallet!

thanks for all the advice and suggestion guys

-cutts-

 

[bczygan]

Don't forget to use your 20% off Harbor Freight coupons at HD. Good for one item, and sometimes for the whole order.

 

[Jason641]

Don't forget, if you're buying more than just a few items, become friends with the folks at the "pro desk" at HD and Lowes. They will be more than happy to put together a bid with significant discounts for you. I just bought all my electrical supplies for my garage and they saved me about 20% over the marked prices.

They usually only do this for orders over $2500, but if you use the same person a few times they will do it for pretty much any order. Best part about the pro desk is you can fax or e-mail your list to them, instead of going to the store. They will call you with a quote, and they will pull your whole order and have it waiting for you to pick up.

 

[pattenp]

Check to see if you can get 4 conductor "Mobile Home Feeder". Get it in aluminum, cost a lot less than copper. It can be run in conduit or direct buried. Depending on the size, a 100' may cost you around $200.

Here the same thing at HD... http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...gId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=urd&storeId=10051

.............

now i gotta try and find 100' of underground rated feeder wire to connect panel to panel... THAT's what is going to break my wallet!

....................
-cutts-

 

[wuntunearlybko]

just had to report my findings... i happened to stumble upon this almost by accident. wife and i went to look at some more outdoor lights for over the garage doors at Home Depot and grab some breakers i havent been able to find. i was just snooping around in the cable section and happened to notice some heavy black wire. couldnt find a sticker or a price but a really nice, very helpful old man came up and scanned it for me. 2-2-2-4 direct burial USE Al for $1.47/ft! the supply house down the street quoted me $1.70/ft! i feel pretty good about it!

-cutts-

 

[Scott65]

When I did my last addition, my electrician sent me to HD and said he may save a couple of dollars on some items, but that I would come out ahead buying my own supplies at HD instead of having him get things. They have a lot of variety and as long as you know what you are looking for, it should not be a problem.

 

[gawank]

I play the price game between Menards, HD & Lowes in my areas. Menards & HD usually wins my bussiness.