Wood isn’t cheap these days, and that can make woodworking feel out of reach. But here’s the thing — you don’t always have to buy it.
Some of my best projects started with wood I found for free. From construction scraps to old furniture sitting on the curb, there are plenty of places to grab good lumber if you know where to look.
Here are 16 tried-and-true spots to check the next time you need wood without spending a dime.
1) Local Construction Sites
Construction sites can be goldmines for free wood. Crews often toss out offcuts, broken boards, or pieces they simply can’t use.
The key here is respect.
Always ask the site manager before grabbing anything.
Most of the time, they’re happy to see the scraps hauled away, and you walk out with wood that’s perfectly fine for small projects.
2) Furniture Stores
Many furniture stores deal with damaged or returned pieces they can’t sell. Solid wood furniture often ends up in the trash, even when most of it is still perfectly usable.
Ask if they have broken chairs, tables, or dressers they’d be willing to give away.
With a little work, you can break them down and repurpose the wood into something new.
3) Facebook Marketplace Free Listings
Facebook Marketplace is one of the easiest places to find free wood. People list everything from scrap lumber to full sets of cabinets they want gone.
Set up alerts for keywords like “free wood” or “pallets,” and check daily — the good stuff gets claimed fast.
4) Grocery Stores
Large grocery stores get shipments on wooden pallets, and many of them don’t reuse them. Instead, they stack them out back for anyone to take.
Ask the store manager if they give pallets away. Just be sure to look for clean ones without stains or chemical markings before using them.
5) Habitat for Humanity ReStores
ReStores sell donated building materials, but they often have sections of free or heavily discounted wood.
You can find everything from 2x4s to hardwood flooring.
It’s also a good way to support Habitat’s mission while stocking your shop with materials.
6) Woodworking Clubs and Forums
Local woodworking clubs are a goldmine for free scraps. Members are often happy to give away offcuts they don’t need, especially if they’re cleaning out their shops.
Online forums and Facebook groups work the same way — post that you’re looking for scraps, and you’ll usually get offers fast.
7) Community Wood Recycling Centers
Many towns have recycling centers where people drop off old furniture and building materials.
Instead of going to the landfill, this wood gets sorted for reuse.
It’s worth stopping by to see if they allow you to pick through what’s available — you never know what you’ll find.
8) Tree Removal Services
Tree companies take down trees every day, and most of the logs end up chipped or dumped. If you ask, they might be glad to deliver a load of logs for free.
With a chainsaw and some patience, you can mill these into usable lumber or turn smaller branches into woodworking blanks.
9) Curbside Pickup Days
Bulk trash days are an easy way to find usable wood without much effort. Old dressers, bed frames, and shelving units often end up sitting at the curb.
Drive around early before the trucks come by — the best pieces usually disappear fast.
10) Craigslist Free Section
Craigslist is still alive and well for free materials. The “Free” section often has piles of lumber, pallets, or old furniture people want gone immediately.
Check daily, and don’t hesitate — free wood moves quickly.
11) Landscaping Companies
Landscapers tear out old decks, fences, and outdoor structures all the time.
Most of that wood goes straight to the dump, but many companies are happy to let you take it.
Some pieces may need a little cleanup, but the price is right — free.
12) Shipping Yards
Pallets and shipping crates pile up fast at shipping yards and warehouses. Many companies don’t want to pay disposal fees, so they’ll gladly give them away.
Just make sure the pallets are heat-treated (marked “HT”) and not chemically treated before using them indoors.
13) Local Theaters
When theaters tear down old sets, all that lumber has to go somewhere.
Stage crews often toss perfectly good plywood, 2x4s, and other materials.
If you connect with a local theater group, you might be first in line when they strike a set.
14) School Wood Shops
Schools with woodworking programs generate piles of leftover scraps from student projects. Instead of tossing them, many teachers are glad to give them away.
It’s worth calling around to local high schools, colleges, or trade schools to ask.
15) Municipal Waste Facilities
Some waste facilities separate out furniture, wood, and construction debris for recycling. Depending on the rules, you may be allowed to salvage pieces from the pile.
It’s hit or miss, but sometimes you’ll find solid hardwood furniture that just needs a little TLC.
16) Discarded Crates from Farmers Markets
Vendors often toss wooden produce crates at the end of the day. While some are flimsy, many are sturdy and made of solid wood slats.
A quick pickup before closing can score you a stack of free material.
Finding free wood takes a little creativity, but it’s surprising how many places are willing to give it away. From pallets at grocery stores to scraps from local woodshops, there’s always material waiting to be put to good use.
Keep your eyes open, ask around, and you’ll start seeing opportunities everywhere. The best part?
Each piece of reclaimed wood has a story — and your next project might be built from it.