You, too, can own tools like a pro

Have you ever coveted your contractors' professional tools and building supplies and wished you could buy similar gear?

Just such an opportunity is about to present itself.

For the first time, the DelChester chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) will host an open-to-the-public garage/yard sale March 29 in Chester.

The trade group's contractor members from Delaware and Chester Counties will be donating overstock items, wrong orders, slightly used equipment, extra parts, tools, appliances and housewares.

The sale is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at A&C Kitchens & Baths, 2000 Concord Rd., Chester.

"None of our chapters in Pennsylvania has done this before, but it's been done out West" for a few years, said Michael Hydeck, a past president of the chapter and owner of Hydeck Design Build in Telford.

What's for sale?

"Any and all tools, supplies, equipment, materials used in the construction business," Hydeck said. "Everyone likes a deal, and there will be plenty of deals at this. I know of compressors, hand tools, insulation that will be for sale. Some stuff will be new and some used. But all are bargains."

What won't be for sale? Electronics, cement, paint and toilets.

Receipts for donated contractor materials will be provided at the time of drop-off. Any materials not sold will be donated to Habitat for Humanity. Any tools left over from the sale will be donated to the West Philly Tool Library.

"Several of our chapters nationally have done this in the past and as it catches on it becomes a great success," Hydeck said. "We feel that with everything going on with the economy, this will help both the community and the chapter. We all make out."

There is an eco-friendly aspect to such garage sales, said Denise Hotz, executive director of the DelChester NARI chapter.

"What are our members doing with all their leftovers from renovations? We've been talking about that, and thought we should have a garage sale," Hotz said.

Greening has been slow to take hold in the construction and development industries. Such sales have the effect of giving new life to the donated tools and building supplies.

The West Philly Tool Library loans equipment to its members so they can perform simple home-maintenance tasks, tend yards and gardens, build furniture, and learn new skills in an affordable manner.

"We aim to be a community resource to provide . . . the tools and the knowledge," said Peter Foreman-Murray, the tool library's executive director.

The nonprofit tool library has 1,700 members who pay an annual fee of $20 to $50, which gives them access to more than 3,000 tools. It is located in a warehouse at 1314 S. 47th St., near Woodland Avenue.

For more information, go to www.westphillytools.org.

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia (www.habitatphiladelphia.org) operates the ReStore, a secondhand retail outlet open to the public that carries donated home furnishings, cabinetry, appliances less than 10 years old, and building supplies at a fraction of the original cost, with all revenue going directly back into the local organization's home building and home repair and weatherization programs.

For more information, call 215-765-6000 or visit the ReStore at 2930 Jasper St., Philadelphia. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

What: Tool/equipment sale.

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29.

Where: A&C Kitchens & Baths, 2000 Concord Rd., Chester.

Admission: Free and open to the public.EndText