Need wood pallets for a DIY project? Here are tips for finding free or cheap wood pallets.
Have you ever seen a really cool wood pallet craft that you are just itching to try? There are so many great ones, as people are finding all sorts of ways to make purposeful and pretty things out of them. If you have wanted to craft with wood pallets but were not sure where to find them, we have included some tips for you below. Take a look at tips on where to find free or cheap wood pallets. You can find them, you just have to know where to look! So, are you ready to pallet hunt? Let’s go!
Where to Find Free or Cheap Wood Pallets
1. Craigslist
Often time people will advertise pallets on Craigslist. They can range in price from free to a few bucks a piece. Chances are you will have to haul them away on your own as well so be prepared. Do a search on Craigslist and see what you can dig up. The free section is a great place to start.
2. Newspaper ads.
The classifieds and sale section are also a great place to find pallets. Check out the free section as well, since many businesses may have some to unload for free as long as you come get them. If your newspaper has free in search of ads, try running one! Many people would be thrilled to have someone come and haul their pallets away for free. It is a win/win!
3. Curbs.
I often see pallets waiting for the trash man on the curb. Keep your eyes peeled when you drive, and perhaps even carry rope with you should you need to tie it to your car. If you run home to get rope, another pallet hunter may snag it. Go out and hunt the night before trash is scheduled to be picked up. People are most likely to set items out at this time, and you never know what you might find.
4. Talk to store managers.
Many times you will see pallets outside of the store by the dumpster. Ask the store manager if these are able to be taken. They will request that you haul it yourself, but most won’t mind. Just ask before you take since the dumpsters and surrounding area are property of the business. Small businesses that are locally owned seem to be more likely to give pallets away as well. This would include hardware stores, small furniture stores, feed stores, and greenhouses. The large, big box stores typically have weekly pallet pick ups.
5. Use Facebook.
See if there is a local freebie page or salvage page for your area. On these pages or in these groups people often post construction or salvage freebies they may have or may have seen. You can also put a call out on your Facebook page letting friends know you are looking. That way when someone sees one, they can notify you.
6. Nextdoor App
This is my current favorite app for finding local resources. To find free or cheap pallets on the Nextdoor app, search for posts in your local community by using keywords like “free pallets” or “wooden pallets for sale” in the app’s search bar. You can also post a request in the “General” or “For Sale & Free” sections, specifying your need for pallets and preferred price range.
Now that you know where to find wood pallets, what will you make with them? Happy pallet hunting!
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Lisa Jordie says
Katie! Thank you so much for posting this. I’ve been wondering where people get these without buying them brand new at a hardware store. Now I know!
JulieBavi says
Horse Farms near us have pallets out by the road on a weekly basis. I called just to check and sure enough they are free for the taking.
@juliebavi
Alea Milham says
Let me know what you make with your free pallets!