Everyone recognizes the frustration of wandering the aisles of a cavernous big-box store with a clear idea of what you need but no hope of finding it on your own.
“At a home improvement store, you don’t just browse. You have your list in your hand. You know exactly what you want,” says Zviki Govrin, owner of Goodman’s Building Supply. He recommends choosing a home improvement center that places a high premium on employee availability and expertise.
If you’re undertaking your own home improvement project, take a hard-learned piece of advice from other do-it-yourselfers: Buy more than you think you need. A piece snaps in two, a two-by-four is sawed too short, a screw gets lost—nearly every project suffers from an occasional mistake or miscalculation. Mr. Govrin explains that if you buy only what you predict you’ll need, you’ll find yourself constantly running back to the store for new supplies. Instead, it’s far better to buy double quantities of everything, then plan a single trip back to the store after completing the project to return your excess purchases.
In the same vein, it’s usually a good idea to call ahead or check a store’s web site to make sure your items are in stock. If you have any doubt, don’t just settle for assurance over the phone. Ask the employees to check the shelves to ensure the item is present.
