Where To Find Free Pallets For Reclaimed Wood Projects

In need of free pallets? You're not the only one so let's all find out where and how to get free pallets near you!

In this article:

Where To Get Free Pallets Near You
Where to Find Reclaimed Wood and Lumber
Think Small, Not Big
Don't Be Afraid to Ask
Work to Develop a Relationship with Sources
Look on Craigslist, Facebook and Other Community Pages

Get Free Pallets for Your DIY Projects with These Tips

Free Wood Pallets: Other's Trash, A DIY Junkie's Treasure

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Free pallets and repurposed wood are hot items right now. You only need to look up wood pallet projects on Pinterest and a flood of projects will arrest you.

Wood pallets are popular due to both their low cost or better yet, free if you know where and how to look. Not to mention the fact that you also get to recycle scrap.

There are hundreds of great looking DIY pallet projects to make using reclaimed wood. On your best days, your pallet projects can also look great.

In fact, we have here a collection of pallet projects from home decor to pallet art and wood pallet furniture to garden planters.

We're pros are turning wood into useful pieces and decoration, so we're here to help you get started finding free pallets.

Two of the big questions we are asked:

Where to get free pallets
Where to find reclaimed wood

Do you enjoy woodworking? Turn your passion into profit with this step-by-step guide!

Or if you're just starting out and need detailed woodworking plans to get you started, Ted's Woodworking Plans has you covered.

Our Best Tips and Tricks to Find Free Pallets

1. Where To Get Free Pallets Near You

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If you know where to look, you should be able to learn how to get free pallets for your DIY woodwork, building and craft projects. An important consideration when you go to get pallets is to find undamaged, clean and safe pallets.

We like to focus on finding small stores with a steady supply of clean, good quality pallets. Concentrate your efforts on finding a couple of small stores with this.

You should have no trouble finding plenty of pallets near you to meet your needs. Once you've read this list, you'll know exactly where to get free pallets.

What are the best small places to look for free pallets?

Garden stores and nurseries
Automotive and motorcycle shops
Landscape shops
Specialty equipment suppliers

Small stores like these are going to get most of their items via pallets and shipping crates. They are only too happy to be helped in having the pallets taken from their hands.

Tip: try looking when you see a new business opening. They will be getting their new supplies and inventory in, and it will be delivered in shipping crates and on pallets.

2. Where to Find Reclaimed Wood and Lumber

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A good source for free wood and scrap lumber is to look at small builder's construction sites. We have found that both are good sources to find free, quality scrap lumber and plywood, as well as repurposed wood in volume.

If you are willing to walk up and ask the crew on the project, they will probably be happy to point out their scrap pile and let you dig through it to take what you want.

Tip: If you are looking for plywood, 1x2s, 2x4s and 2×6 pieces, you will usually be able to find lots of usable short pieces. Again, think small, not big.

Believe it or not, discarded mattress box springs are also a great place to find quality wood to repurpose. The wood has most often been protected and is in great shape.

Simply cut the wood out of a discarded box spring to get great wood for your DIY projects.

3. Think Small, Not Big

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We have found it is much easier to get quality materials for our projects from small retailers. It's tempting when you see large stacks of pallets outside of your local big box retailers.

But, large businesses tend to have processes in place to get rid of their pallets, large cardboard, and other recycled materials. It's likely they don't have free pallets for you to take.

4. Don't Be Afraid to Ask

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Don't be shy, ask. When you find what you think is a good source for pallets or other scraps, do not assume you can just take things.

When you see pallets in a stack outside or wood leaning against a wall, it doesn’t necessarily mean these are free pallets for you to take.

Many shops with their deliveries on pallets pay a deposit on them and will be charged for these shipping pallets if they do not return them.

Tip: Try going first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. This is often the best time to find these items, and it's also going to be a less busy time. The business is more likely to have time to talk to you and answer your questions.

5. Work to Develop a Relationship with Sources

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Once you find a business with what you are looking for, try to develop a relationship with them. If they leave their free wooden pallets outside for people to pick up, which many often do, you want to be able to find out when they get new shipments in.

Leave your name, phone number, and e-mail address, and try to get a phone number or e-mail address from them.

Tip: We recommend sending a photo to them of your completed project. People love to feel like they have helped out, and this will further your relationship with them.

6. Look on Craigslist, Facebook and Other Community Pages

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We love pallet project ideas. Please share your favorites with us!

Your local community pages are a great place to find repurposed material. Try typing in “free pallets” or “free salvage items” on Craigslist.

You can even type in free stuff, and you'll be surprised to find many people have a listing with free stuff left at curb. Also, try your local Facebook Community Pages.

We have had success this year finding free pallets and shipping crates, great scrap metal and tons of quality broken tile.

Tip: Your local area may have a Facebook Community Page that is set up for people to post items for that are available free, for sale or for trade.

This video from TA Outdoors will show you what your collection of free pallets can do with this DIY Off-Grid cabin: