Such fantastic, unique options for all kinds of projects and, better yet, all of the proceeds from sales go toward sustainability and workforce training. It's so great to see so many very useable items get salvaged and reused. Such a fun place to just wander and find hidden treasures! read more

Awesome, let me repeat awesome store - massive & so many pieces all over the board from a screen window insert that fits my 1920s home to the perfect piece of saved flooring that I can wedge into my existing to finish a repair. Nice folks & just a great place to go find what you need & what you didn't know you needed -- like a candy store for adults who don't live in HGTV plastic grey land. read more

I stumbled in here on my way to a bus stop and had to walk in. It's pretty hidden as it's in a building with no windows. There's a sign indicating they have a parking lot in the back. They had rows and rows of older doors. If you have an older home with an odd sized door (like me) that needs replaced I'd highly recommend this place. I wish I had known it existed before we cut down a door to fit the space. They also had a lot of lumber and vanities and everything else your home might need. Older appliances and even toilets. I saw signs for community classes as well if you want to learn to woodwork. The staff was also really friendly. Three different people asked me if I needed yelp. Overall, loved this place! read more

See all

A few months after getting to Chicago (by way of Santa Monica) I discovered this store. I don't remember how, but it likely had to do with my ongoing interior design obsession. That, and I seem to get rid of all of my stuff to start over every time I moved since being here (3 times.) It's like a goodwill meets Home Depot meets architectural salvage meets antiques and hardware and everything in between. I scored some Robert Abbey wall sconces here for nothing, they served me well until I moved into my current place and got rid of everything. I'm not rational. Fantastic place to check out if you need cabinets, plumbing fixtures, counter tops, glass/mirror sheets, and lighting. They have workshops as well. Non profit with insanely great prices. read more

LOVE LOVE this place. We are doing a rehab, I have gotten SO many beautiful things and saved thousands of dollars in comparison to buying retail. I have done a google search on many of the items and found them online for far more than I paid. The staff is helpful, offering great customer service. It is a must go spot to get amazing finds. read more

See all

We had RX Made (the custom furniture arm of Rebuilding Exchange) fabricate a custom record cabinet for us a little of a year ago. It is a truly beautiful piece and we had a wonderful experience. Highly recommend for stunning pieces at a fairly affordable price. read more

Rebuilding Exchange - RX Made custom record cabinet. Fabricated and delivered for close to $1000 less than a similar retail model. We love it. - Building Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

We had a wonderful time volunteering at rebuilding exchange. A group of 60 or so real estate agents teamed up to build step stools, chairs and tables from salvaged materials. Or is my understanding that the finished product will be donated to an orphanage in Oak Park. We got to give back and have a great time doing it. They also have all kinds of stuff for your renovation project. From old solid core wood door RSS to the trim pieces and vintage lighting and built ins. Check out and get crafty! read more

See all

Giving them two stars because they do have cool things here and it's a great place to browse, but don't try to donate cabinets to them. I submitted their donation form with details and photos of the cabinets I wanted to donate. They gave me approval for the donation, but when my contractor went to drop them off, they were refused. I feel awful that my contractor wasted an entire afternoon on this. The cabinets were as described in the form, so I'm not sure what changed, and I haven't been able to get a response from them about it. read more

Take a class at the Rebuilding Exchange! I've taken both the workshops and make it / take it classes, and have sat in on the DIY classes. They've all been top notch. They find knowledgable (and patient) pros that can teach a room full of eager DIY-ers. The woodworking 101 course was especially rewarding. The cost is cheap, you get your pick of the warehouse for the project (yes!), and you get taught how to use all sorts of awesome tools. Chuck was our instructor, he led with a blend of humor and smarts that i) didn't make me feel like less of a man for not knowing how to work a planar and/or joiner, and ii) left me feeling all sorts of cool for knowing how to use both with confidence at the end of the course. There is a real thrill sawing through these old boards... and hey, no one lost a finger! You had free range on the project, and Chuck has the experience and creative ingenuity to figure out how to put together your goofiest woodworking scheme. If you're in for building supplies the selection of course will depend on what they've salvaged. Compared to any other salvage firms in the City ReX's prices are unbeatable. Compared to any big box... well, maybe you can say it isn't fair, cos no big box in the land offers product with this much craftsmanship. Used? So what! These things were built to last forever. With a little care they can be quickly restored and you have something that's one of a kind. read more

Rebuilding Exchange - wood shop - Building Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

If you're looking for salvaged materials for your home or any crafts, this Is your place. They have everything from toilets to reclaimed wood. Check it out! read more

This place is the best of the best with a work crew that are more than willing to help you. I came here twice and each time the same person asked if i needed help, what I was building , what sizes, etc and stayed with me to make help me pull out the boards I needed and pick out wood that looked as close to what I had chosen. The prices are better than Restore, Artifactual, or any other one in the area. I would say the price is 25-30% better and is priced by era vs just a steady price. And I personally think that is much better. 100 year old wood is much better than mid century or younger. I showed a contractor my 2*12 boards and he was shocked, never scene such big boards. And solid! I also picked up some copper wiling tiles. They had more in the back that were more rustic and needed some tlc. Both were the same price. I think they should had been cheaper since they were beat up but even at $60 24"x24" that is still a very solid price. The doors are what I was looking for and they have tons to choose from. New , old, glass, solid they have it all and it's all 1/2 off retail or better. I could go on and on with what they have. Toilet, cabinets, lights, old bathtubs, knick knacks and more. I build a new desk out of the materials they sold me. As Arnold said' "I'll be back" read more

See all

We did have to replace the fan on it, but that wasn't a big deal. Looks great, works great. Same thing at ABT 1498.00. RX, plus parts and installation about 300.00, yes it isn't new, so it's not meant to be an exact comparison, just want to be fair here. read more

Rebuilding Exchange - 60 bucks! Score! - Building Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What an amazing place!!! I took the class and although normally the size of your project is limited to 10sq ft, after discussion I was allowed to realize my dream of building a dining room table. Considering that the only thing I have ever built beforehand came out of a box of Lego, what I learned and the result is something that is beyond what I could have hoped for. THANKYOU Carrie & Jared for helping me make something that I will forever be proud of. read more

Rebuilding Exchange - This is what they helped me build, words cannot express how happy it made me :) - Building Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've passed by this place for years and finally decided to check it out the other day. Wow, was I missing out. I picked up a beautiful cutting board made from entirely repurposed wood which made for a wonderful Christmas gift. I love their commitment to repurposing items to lessen environmental impact. Better yet, I was thrilled to learn that the proceeds of everything in their store go to their job training program for people who face barriers to employment. And if their mission wasn't enough, the people at the desk were so generous with their time; they even printed out a description of the organization so that I could give it along with my Christmas gift. Can't wait to go back and try one of their workshop classes soon. This place is seriously a win all around. Thank you, Rebuilding Exchange! Keep up the amazing work. read more

This place is super fantastic for the DIYer! Check out the pictures I posted from yesterday (2/12/2014). Great selection of reclaimed wood, sinks, windows, doors, cabinets, tiles, lighting, appliances and more! Prices are a bit more that what I would usually pay at a place like Habitat for Humanity's Restore but one of a kind and vintage galore! Staff totally knows how to answer any and all of your questions (I asked quite a few different people a hundred questions). Awesome classes posted online and in the store. I left feeling inspired without being overwhelmed. If you know of another store like this in the Chicago or Naperville area, please reply with a link! DBDD (Don't Be Dumb Disclaimer): I love LOVE taking pictures at all the places I visit. I list the date on the pictures so I can remember and share what the store/establishment looked like at the time of my visit. Not everything you see in the pictures are available for sale. Not everything you see in the pictures is in stock at all times. What was once available the day I was there, might not be available when you're reading this. I'm simply sharing the experience of my visit. Don't Be Dumb, if you're interested in something you see in a picture I've posted, call the store first and see if it's still available. read more

See all

Today I finished the 5 week make a table class. Learned how to use a chop saw, drill press, clamps, sanders, and a few others. Carrie was a great instructor, and Mike and Jen was awesome as TA's. Pics of my new coffee table below! read more

Rebuilding Exchange - Building Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Looking to change up my bathroom without a big cost. Found an awesome vanity and top with the sink included. Great price. So glad I check this place out. read more

My decision to have my condo renovated was tempered by my concern about adding to the landfill. My first thought was Habitat for Humanity, but their policy at this time was not to work with condominiums, only homes. I came upon Rebuilding Exchange while searching Google for ideas on responsibly deconstructing my space and readying it for the renovation phase. The RE representative assured me that using them would be a responsible way of donating very useable cabinets, countertops, fixtures and appliances. They explained the beauty of donating while also providing a learning opportunity for people who may have had difficulty getting work and/or wanted a chance to learn a trade where future employment would be the big benefit. I was intrigued and supportive of this concept. Paying for this service seemed like a better option than paying a contractor to demo everything and having it all go into a landfill. Despite some hiccups in the process, RE did a great job. The staff was responsive to any issues and they fulfilled my wish to make the items I had that were in very good shape available to folks who have a limited budget. It also provided an opportunity for young people to be exposed to new job options and gave me a chance to responsibly repurpose what I no longer could use. All in all, using RE a good option and I encourage folks to consider them when doing a renovation project. read more

My boyfriend and I took the Triangle Shelf class. It was very well organized but still had a really fun and relaxed energy. The class had plenty of support to help you out and ensure safety when using power tools. It was a great environment and I would definitely go back for a class! read more

Luv luv luv this place.., NON PROFIT ... STANLEY KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING IN STOCK.,, Recycled by earth and mankind concerned beings.. You will find everything from a key to chandeliers to sub zero appliances... .. If you are not into "discovery " this place is NOT for you. read more

A DIY-er's dream! We've been looking to spruce up the place with some rustic wood accents. We decided to give Rebuliding Xchange a look around and immediately fell in love with their assortment of wood planks. Walk a little bit further around and you'll find cabinets, misc appliances, sinks, light fixtures,etc. All at pretty decent prices. You never know what kind of resalvaged treasures you might find! We stumbled upon some original doors from the Merchandise Mart. How swell is that? They also have classes: how to make wood crates, to lamp rewiring, basic furniture repair-- even beekeeping?? Definitely will be back to get schooled on some home improvement basics! read more

I've never been to a Billion dollar re-used scrap yard before, it a was amazing to see how much old wood costs! Yay Walking into this place it was exactly what I expected. I noticed that the pricing on most items seemed a little high for what they were (ie. $40 for a cut tree stump ???) Ok but I wasn't looking for a tree stump so I paid no heed to that. My best friend was going to make something out of some old wood. They had a cool looking "barn wood" section. It looked reasonably priced too. The sign said this: Priced by linear foot: 1X4 - $2.25 1X6 - $3.00 , So on and so forth. We picked up about 4 pieces of wood. Keep in mind this is old, warn, warn out painted pieces of wood that looks like it came off a barn door..(keep in mind, old! possibly termite invested) I was expecting to pay $15 or something. The lady measured each piece and told me it comes to $115.00. I thought she was messing with me. And the funny thing is this place is "non profit". What a joke!! Granted I don't really know "priced by linear foot", (and thanks for making that so easy to understand too). But c'mon, these prices are ridiculous. There inventory alone at these prices must make this a Fortune 100 company. Our cashier should be clearing about $200K a year. This place is a joke, too bad, if they priced their crap as they should it may be a fun place to buy stuff for projects. I'll be going to my favorite Home Depot in the meantime! read more

The Rebuilding Exchange is my nightmare and my boyfriend's dream. By that, I mean it makes me want to buy several power tools and a table saw that my brokeass cannot afford! The repurposed wood is typically in very good condition and honestly the DIY possibilities are endless! Seeing as I can't afford pricey woodworking tools, I'm hoping to sign up for one of their sweet workshops in the future! read more

I love RX! I've been shopping there for years for various DIY items - some great finds include gorgeous yellow tile ($1 apiece!), a wacky old trash bin ($10), and an amazing piano bench ($10). Their events are really fun and a great way to connect with Chicago-based makers. Last fall I also took a women/femme-exclusive woodworking class, which I loved! The teachers were fantastic, and I love using the skills I learned. The only thing I don't love about RX is that their classes and open shop time are rather expensive, but I hear that by volunteering you can bring these costs down. All in all, I look forward to continue enjoying RX as long as I'm in Chicago! read more

Came here in September with my boyfriend to pick up a door to make a coat tree for our new apartment. They were having a 50% off door sale at the time. Staff was super polite and helpful. Forgot to bring a measuring tape with us, but luckily they lent us one so we could figure out what could fit in our tiny sedan. They had a wide selection of doors to pick from and some were in mint condition. The door we got was $30, which would've been easily 3x or more if purchased brand new at a big box home improvement store. Next time we come here, we'll have to rent a bigger car so we can get more stuff! read more

Rebuilding Exchange - Repurposed this door for our entryway so we had a place to put our coats and shoes. - Building Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been looking around for a place like this to make a headboard out of old doors. The price people ask for old doors on Craigslist is crazy! Walking into this place is like heaven! So many interesting things to look at, ideas of things to make. It made me wish I could get rid of all my store-bought furniture and start from scratch. Everyone that works here is so nice and helpful. We found these 2 doors that were hinged together that looked like a great find but there was no price. We flagged someone down to ask about it. "Will you be taking it with you today?" she asked. Sure! Then discount because they need to make room - perfect! $35 out the door with lots of help getting it in our car. The finished product looks great once cleaned, sanded, and a fresh coat of paint with some stenciling - I'll be back for sure! read more

I love the ReBuilding exchange, used stuff salvaged from deconstruction. I went to the grand opening fund raiser last year, and have made several purchases since, a great addition to the South Side. If you are throwing any good stuff away, they are a tax deductible charity! Everything from old growth lumber, to lighting. Stone work from 100 year old dwellings, fireplace mantels. Unlike places such as Salvage one, the ReBuilding Exchange has things you may need, rather than want. Cabinets, stoves, dishwashers, sinks, well you get the picture. Prices are very fair, and if you are willing to hagle they will hagle back. I picked up a decent GE profile range for $50 on Saturday, need it for my rental unit. read more

What an awesome idea and a cool place to poke around. I went looking for some door handles for the entryway table I'm building. I struck out on that front, but this place was a treasure trove... a remodeler's dream: doors, sinks, doorknobs, cabinetry, windows... they even had handfuls of paperclips for 10 cents, which made me laugh. If I'm ever redoing anything, I think I'll stop here just to see what one-of-a-kind find I come across, or something that I wouldn't have thought of but would be perfect for the project. I don't know why I never thought of this sort of thing, but I love their mission and would be happy to support it. read more

Two friends and I attended a wood-working class here conducted by Blake Sloane. It was very relaxed and held in a sort of open forum. They supplied plenty of tools needed and the blueprints for future bench/coffee table/end table. The class was kept fairly small which was fantastic. It helped regarding availability of tools and if you had questions Blake was able to help right away. Blake was great in that he kind of let you do your own thing. If you wanted to make two end tables (one couple did that)- by all means, add a shelf to your bench- go for it, how about a taller table for an aquarium-hell ya! The class is about $65 per person (or $90 for couples) .I would highly recommend it to anyone that needs another piece of furniture or a fun date idea... if you are a couple that tend to argue for the sake of arguing this may not be for you, too many handy sharp tools. The one and only complaint I have is that due to the freedom to customize your piece it took a little longer to move onto the next step which was kind of annoying...but if I were building on my own it probably would have taken me that long too...so I'm being a hypocrite (so what, we're all hypocrites). Thank you for providing us the chance to get crafty!! read more

I've been looking for a place like this for a LONG time. I'm all about finding odd pieces for woodworking projects, great deals on salvaged building materials, etc. This is the ultimate do-it-yourself'er go-to warehouse. I just found Rebuilding Exchange online a couple days ago, read the reviews on Yelp and saw what they had on their Flickr inventory page, and went in today. I'm so glad I did. I found some great 2x6's for photo frame shelves I'm building. I walked out spending about $8 for roughly 32' of lumber total. I love this place and I'll definitely be back. My only fear is if it gets so popular that it becomes too pricey. But, I think a mission like this is worth it. FYI, Stan was a HUGE help. Thanks, Stan! One added note, this is my first Yelp review. So, that should tell you something. read more

We took the "Build an End Table" class with Blake and Sergio and absolutely loved it. They spent about 45 minutes going over safety and basic planning for the table, and Blake whipped one up pretty quickly as an example. Our table: They had precut the table legs for us to save some time. The only limitation was that our tables were supposed to be under six square feet (for the sake of preserving materials), so while we made a perfectly square end table, others made benches, rectangular tables, etc. Blake and Sergio gave lots of helpful tips, and we loved the way our table turned out. We spent some time walking around the building outside of the class, and this place is just so cool. TONS of awesome materials for DIY projects. I wish that we were living in Chicago more permanently, because we'd totally go back and get things for home improvement projects. Their mission is really admirable--trying to divert building materials from landfills, all the while doing job training programs and generally educating the public (and helping people make awesome stuff). read more

I am writing this review to call attention to excellent customer service provided by one of Rebuilding Exchange's employees - Mylika (sp?). I donated kitchen cabinets sometime last year and failed to get a receipt for my cabinet donations. Being the procrastinator that I am, I never followed up on this important document until .... tax season rolls around. I called Rebuilding Exchange and Mylika answered the phone. I told her of my dilemma and she said she would handle it. She asked for my phone number and she said she would call me back. 15 min later Mylika called me back to inform me that she had found the file containing my donation and agreed to mail me a copy of the receipt on the spot! Thank you Mylika!! read more

I've been to many of the salvage-type places, and this was one of, if not, the best. Sure, it's not as fancy as some, but they had a lot of nice things at VERY good prices. As in $10-20 for a cabinet. People were very friendly and seemed open to some negotiation. read more

Rebuilding Exchange - Inside - Building Supplies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've walked by this place a few times and have never been inside. This Saturday I changed that- and I'm so happy that I did! This is a great non-profit! This place is a woodworker/carver/crafty/construction person's dream. Piles and piles of different kinds of wood (everything from plywood to furniture to doors) and all kinds of little project odds and ends. They also have a workshop where they offer classes and also open time. Everything is priced so reasonably and they even have a nice scrap section where you can get wood pieces (perfect for carving) for $1. I also enjoyed looking at all of the finished projects (which you can buy). All of the staff members were so friendly. read more

I would not recommend coming to shop here. My wife and I just left this place not even 15 minutes after walking in. The entryway is very cool to look at but that's as far as we could see before experiencing awful customer service. There was an old man sitting down using a laptop right near the entrance. He didn't even look up or have the nerve to greet us. We walked around and were looking for the restroom. On our to find it, a lady comes up and asks us "what are you looking for?" No "hi, how are you? Can I help you", it was what are you looking for? Really lady?! Not my ideal place to shop if I get that kind of greeting. We kept looking around. No one approached us to ask for help. We went back towards some wood crafts near the old man. I told my wife, "look at this bench," the man looked back at me and gave us his back and went back to whatever he was doing on his laptop. For being eco-friendly and community oriented, I strongly believe their supposed community friendliness is accurate. read more

Needed an odd-shaped door for a remodeling project, only 18" wide. Instead of ordering new I checked out RE's aisles of well-organized doors and found a solid-oak door in exactly the right size. $30! Granted, the contractors had to build a jamb for it, so I don't know that I actually saved money overall, but I did get something with lots of character and zero carbon footprint. Win win. read more

Nailed it! This shop is absolutely amazing for anyone doing renovations or looking for statement pieces to spruce up their pad. There are so many salvaged and inherited items dripping character. My friend found some old doors and barnwood to use to make tables and a partition. Recycled items help the environment since it lessens waste ....also it fights deforestation. Give a hoot don't pollute. The salesman knew a lot about carpentry and home projects so don't be afraid to ask questions. They also sell appliances, lamps, chandeliers, mirrors, plumbing, and tiles. A lot of what you'll need to realize your vintage style dreams OR construct a edgy modern rustic setting. 2 HANDy thumbs up. read more

where else can I find doors for my 100 year old City 3 flat. Prices were fine and they were running a class on woodworking that I might want to try again. Staff were circulating and giving direction - it was fun to ramble around that great old building - found some things that would be useful and will keep it on my list read more

I've been here several times to pick up odds and ends for projects. I never leave without getting something...often times an item I had no intention of buying when I walked in the door. You can find some really good deals here.. like a hunk of 20x24" quartz counter for $20! read more

This is a great place to purchase items if you're looking to restore your home. I purchased 4 sconces and found a pendant light, identical to one I own, that are perfect for my bungalow. I also purchased some antique glass bottles. Be warned, I had my eye on a pedestal sink and was thinking it over when a couple purchased that very same sink...you snooze, you loose! I'm pretty sure something else will become available, so I'm not worried :) The prices are very reasonable and certainly less than the big box stores. The sink I wanted required a little elbow grease and some re-glazing, but would cost no less than $400, retail. The store (warehouse) is well-organized and the staff is very friendly. I'll definitely returned for more items to continue my restoration. read more