Salvage yards

[BlackAlys]

Have any of you found really good deals and savings to be had by rooting around in salvage yards? I'm looking for a piece of oak for a mantle piece and am of to see a rather piece in a yard a few towns away.

Also on the look out for slate (to stand a wood burner on), a piece of white quartz/marble/granite for a top to a washstand. I'd also love to have an old science laptop to make a counter top/desk for myself.

Are these things doable? What bargains have you been able to get for your renovations?

Bump

I've been renovating my house. I've found salvage places really expensive. Facebook marketplace and Gumtree are much better

Thanks @5littlechickens . On your advice, I've already found some pieces of white marble (old hearth) going for £30 (worth £900).

Who would I approach about cutting this marble into something thinner and smaller (say, for the top of a washstand)? How much would things like this cost to do?

Thanks for any advice.

I would look for stone masons in your area, also the people who make headstones for cemetries may cut it for you or will know some who can.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

I would look for stone masons in your area, also the people who make headstones for cemetries may cut it for you or will know some who can.

Thanks! Ringing around today.

Amazing! Just got off the phone from a really helpful stonemason in my nearby town who'll happily thin down marble or any other natural stone quite cheaply. Really educating call - bit of a result. Thanks for the tip.

Don't look to salvage yards for bargains; they know what they've got and who wants it, so charge accordingly. I'm glad to hear you've got your marble sorted!

Thanks @Knittedfairies -duly noted.
I have time on my hands so I'm able to search without rushing. I may give this marble surround a miss - I'm reading that it may. It be pure marble and trickier to thin down.

It's the first time for me to start searching so I think I'll hang back a bit.

The slate and oak are also pieces I'm on the look out for.

I'm trying to recreate some traditional looking pieces in a contemporary extension on a 150 year old cottage. Someone has built a washstand for me in my current home so I want to do the same again.

Have you looked at Funky Chunky Furniture? They have some lovely mantelpieces / shelves etc?

I haven't @suziedoozy ! On way now for a peek, at your suggestion.

Love it @suziedoozy !!!

bonkers prices....always use the fb market place or gumtree...ebay car boot sales etc etc..

We had some old teak worktops, bought them from ebay in the end. They had previously been art room tables with lots of colourful paint marks but they sanded down beautifully.
Depends where you live and whether the salvage yards are scruffy and full of bargains or aspirational and expensive.
A lot of salvage yards will list some of their stock on ebay or similar anyway for visibility.

Thanks everyone, for all your advice.

In my area, new school are being built with the older sites being put up for demolition.

I'd love to get my hands on the old science lab surfaces to make my own desk, possible shelving. Does anyone have any ideas on how to go about this?