Discount Builders Supply
Categories: Building Supplies, Hardware Stores [Edit]
Neighborhood: SOMA1695 Mission St
(between 13th St & Plum St)
San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 621-8511
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sat 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sun 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
69 reviews
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
"There is something about this place that screams "neighborhood" and "Polk Street". It has this friendly Mr. Rogers feel, without any weird…" read more »
63 Reviews for Discount Builders Supply
Discount Builders is conveniently located and I like the fact that there are people there to help me if I have a question. They have a wide selection of building materials and their hours are far superior from local hardware stores near my neighborhood.
If I go in the middle of the day, parking is a little bit congested, but this is the only place I've found to sell a $40 pedestal sink, which is an excellent deal for my rental units.
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I am so happy that I found this place AND that it's so close to me. More than that I'm happy I don't have to go into that little piece of commercial hell called Home Depot in Colma!
Shopping at a hardware stores, especially little ones in the city, can be quite confusing and take some time because it's all jam packed and barely labeled. This was different --extremely organized with tons to choose from. The other plus is that they sell lumber. Shopping on a Sunday has never been more pleasant. I had plenty of space to shop, plenty of items to chose from, and more than willing employees who could help me. Unlike Home Depot where I feel that when I ask someone about an item they either don't know where it is (or what), lead me in the wrong direction, or have to go ask someone else. That of course is if I can even find someone! There was plentiful and knowledgeable staff, thank god.
I will definitely go here from now on for my hardware needs!
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Cheap prices, huge selections- i'm sure you'll find exactly what you're looking for because everything is easily categorized, unlike other hardware stores. Good customer service and they also have a parking lot, which is a plus! I visited this store for the first time this past weekend and love it!!
Great prices on things you need and can get at other hardware stores but will have to pay double for.
The service is good too.
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I expected so much more after reading the yelp reviews. The people were not fiendly or helpfull and I was unable to find what I was looking for (a simple replacement part for a sash widow). Although it is closer than other harware stores, I will only use them as a last resort.
If you don't already love this place, learn to-- it's a rare store now that has it all *and* the people with the info you need.
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We have unusual sized window and sliding glass doors, so searching for a place to purchase window screens was a challenge. We considered making our own and having them made to order by Gilman's, but luckily I discovered that Discount Builders provides this service too. Their prices are much better than Gilman's and the results are exactly what I wanted. Also, the customer service was more attentive and thoughtful ( I dealt with Gene) than what I experienced when I first contacted Gilman's. I highly recommend them if you need window screens made for a special sized window or door.
Their selection is by far the best in the city. Prices aren't truly "discount" but, they're not overpriced. If you don't know exactly what you're looking for or have questions, just be patient and persistent. It may take awhile get an someone's attention and an answer. Lastly, they do have parking.
My mom sent me a book in the mail, titled "The Manual: A True Bad Boy Explains How Men Think, Date, and Mate--and What Women Can Do to Come Out on Top". There was no note in the box, and she's in Cambodia so I can't call and demand an explanation.
Many would consider this a hint that I need to start having some babies, but I know my mom, and the arrival of this book in my mailbox is probably just because she's crazy.
So I flip through this cheesily-written, idiotic dating advice book, and end up reading it in a couple minutes because of the giant font and margins used.
Having finished it, the only substantial advice it gave was to try and pick up guys in hardware stores. (Also, apparently guys hang out in lingerie and shoe stores with the hopes of picking up girls, something that I was not previously aware of, and still don't believe).
So I say, Ok Yelp, tell me the closest hardware store to my apartment. And it was Discount Builders.
The employees in Discount Builders are very friendly and helpful; the patrons are not. I picked up 0 guys there. I must not have been trying hard enough, wandering the aisles with the only things I could ever imagine using from a hardware store: an expensive, Drano-like product and paper towels.
So, if you are living my life but a day delayed, and your crazy mother sends you a stupid book full of cheesy advice, and you look up a hardware store on Yelp and see this review, do not go to Discount Builders Supply to pick up guys. It will be a fruitless waste of time.
Love,
Maia
"Saving the future me lots of Trouble"
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Almost three months ago we ordered custom-sized doors through DBS (BS more like it). The doors being custom we were required to pre-pay. We were told (in writing) that the order would take 5-7 days and they would call us when ready. No one ever called us. We called...over and over again...only to be told that the order wasn't in and that the person who helped us last wasn't in and didn't leave any notes/paperwork. Six weeks of calling and going there later we got our doors, got them home, and they were cut to the wrong size. We discovered that BS gave conflicting instructions to their door vendor, but would not admit the mistake. They did say they would reorder the doors and that they'd put a "rush" on it. That was two weeks ago. Still no doors. We were told to call this Friday to see if they've arrived. When picking up the first set of doors we were offered (over the phone) a discount by one sales person. When we got to the store that sales person was gone and had left no notes regarding the discount. After tracking down the weekend manager we receive a 10% discount. Whoop-de-doo.
BS's customer service is awful. None of their employees communicate with each other. They make many promises and have zero follow through.
If my doors aren't ready this weekend I'm going to make the manager (through any means necessary) drive me to Home Depot to get me some goddamn doors!
UPDATE:
MINUS 5 STARS!
So we returned to BS today to pick up the forementioned new doors and we thought all was ok. The size was correct. But when we went to load them in the car they felt extremely light, not like the solid wood ones we'd requested. Yup, they f'ed up the order again. We demanded our money back.
To add insult to injury we just discovered that instead of crediting our credit card for the doors, they charged us again!!! Are these people serious?!
You have to give this place 5 stars for staying in business and providing SF city dwellers a good alternative to the bigger stores. They have almost everything you could ever need to build almost anything in your house/apartment.
Service is well, service, but hey, how nice would you be working in a hardware store all day ? Their hours, yes, they close at 5:25 on the dot, every day, but they are open on sundays.
A lot of the same people have been working there for many years, so give them a break, customer service anywhere in this city sucks. THey will be nice to you if you are nice to them, and to the folks who have a problem with bike parking, PARK ON THE STREET. Sheesh, these people think we deserve a bike rack in every store ? I wouldn't let you in my shop with your bike, so don't try in their shop!
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If you ask for help, you will get it. It's the better going to hell...i mean home depot. I've gone there to build shelves...they cut the wood for you. I've gotten advice on paint...and many other things. Also you should always call them before going if you know exactly what you want. They answer phones and are happy to help...and save you a trip.
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Vinyl does not impress me, especially when hugging some queen's fat ass on Folsom or Ringold. But at 49 cents a square foot - this joint's vinyl flooring made me hot. I dug this place, especially how they kept the lumber section completely separate, unlike Home Depot - where one wrong turn will find you surrounded by husky women in lumberjack flannel....shudder!
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as much as i LOVE going to hardware stores...
when i walked into Discount Builders Supply i was in a:
"lets get our shit and get the fuck out of here" mood.
but... we walked in and received instant,
informative, and friendly assistance.
we honestly had 2 in depth DIY sessions on concrete flooring.
SESSION ONE: TRANSITION STRIP
proper installation of transition strip with concrete flooring.
in depth discussion on drilling into concrete and additional
information on a back-up plan to keep the strip down.
i was amazed at how friendly and willing these people
were to instruct us on how to properly handle our floors.
so i figured...
we may as well see what the paint guy has to say...
SESSION TWO: CONCRETE FLOOR FINISHES
in depth discussion on 2 options. not one. but two options.
Michael.. in the paint department.. IS THE MAN!
he gave us complete instructions on how to accomplish our goal.
boyfriend shook his hand. i wanted to hug him.
these people are friendly and seriously know their shit!
loyalty always to Discount Builders Supply!
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I guess this is a better bet than Home Depot, and Discount may be the only full service joint in the city, but this place leaves a lot to be desired. It would have been nice to just get a little bit of service. The staff wasn't rude, but they didn't give a shit either.
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If you live in San Francisco, DBS is your best bet for home reno projects. Knowledgeable staff, decent selection and pricing (not the cheapest, but not the most expensive, either), and super convenient location make it a winner. The early closing times prevents it from getting the full 5.
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Their selection is definitely NOT the best in the city -- Center Hardware is significantly better. Their prices vary from cheap to reasonable. The staff range from helpful to flatline to misinforming you. Still, better than Home Despot.
WOW! Why have I been wasting gas, energy & time going to Home Depot all these years, when there's an EVEN BETTER alternative... RIGHT HERE in the CITY! They've got it all! Not quite the same selection as the big orange monster store, but if you want basic building supplies, this is your place. And the wait in the checkout line isn't nearly as bad as HD.
I work nights, so my morning is most people's afternoon, so Minus 1 star for limited business hours.
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Why in the world did I ever waste my time elsewhere? They have eveything I need for cheaper, and the people are nice and give me no attitude. Sounds like a dream store to me!
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Not too much of a discount, but the do have building supplies. A tinkerer can spend quite a bit of time cruising the aisles filling his cart with screws, pipes, and parts... Not to mention doors, windows, tiles, shelving, pipes, HVAC, tools, parts, paints, lighting, toilets, sinks, and a smattering of everything else. You might never even go 'next door' to see the huge lumber selection, and a VERTICAL PANEL SAW...YEAH BABY!!!!!
Tip: Best to know what you want because getting help in here is tough.
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This place is great! Not only did they have the Fiber Cement Shingles that I needed, which everywhere (including Home Disappointment) didn't have; they were super friendly to boot! I rolled in with ten minutes left before closing. I was trying to be as fast as possible but I've never been in there before and I didn't know where anything was. They showed me where all my items were personally, not just pointing to a corner of a store and wishing me luck. Then when I was checking out, I was chatting with the owner (or manager) and he realized that I needed some flashing paper that should have come with the Shingles. After I pay with my credit card I remembed to ask about what type of nails I should use. He sends one of the workers to go grab it for me and gives it to me without charge saying, "I won't charge you for that one because it should have come with the purchase." So not only did he save me a trip back, but he gave it to me gratis! I will come back in the future, even if I do have to go out of my way.
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I have been going to Discount Builders since I got outta SFAI in 83 and set up my first studio around the corner. Ever since then DB has always been my choice for standard materials and tools. It has improved though - when Goodman's was still open on Bayshore they were on a kind of race to the bottom in terms of price and quality. I think Home Depot shook them up a bit. Now it is much better - great selection of interior materials, (but still poor quality in the lumber yard) and a really well balanced selection of home/garden stuff in the main store. Service is erratic, but is for the most part helpful once you get it. Parking lot is crowded but the line moves fast. You can do a lot with the stores right in the neighborhood for what they dont have - Western Tool (ex Post) Tap Plastic etc, etc... Carry on DB!
I used to romanticize this store 10 years ago - I'm all about ma & pa stores & this is no chain
Anyone who frequents hardware stores know how nerve wracking it can be to ask for help in Home Depot & Lowes
However
Over the past few years I've been coming to this store they've become less & less like a ma & pa - poor service, crappy attitudes, lack of knowledge about their stock & lack of willingness to help find stock
I've noticed lately that any woman who doesn't look like a general contractor gets less attention than any man in the store - I've been getting assistance & have had the sales person walk away to help some guy more than once in the past couple years
The final straw was today when I called to find a product - every other hardware store I called was able to search for the product & give me a response within a few minutes - they clearly really looked because they were able gave me specifics about my alternatives
Not DBS! They subjected me to a logic-defying nightmare of phone transfers, hang ups & holds - the only reason I persisted was that one person said he thought the original searcher had found my product & he would find him for me to confirm - finally more than 10 minutes later I talked to someone else who said they didn't have the product
This will continue to be my last resort for supplies - they used to be great - they'd throw in a few free cuts in the lumber yard or offer helpful advice or go look in stock & - surprise! - actually come back with a requested item
Not any more - either I've gotten older & they just don't assist women over 18 or else they've gone downhill
If there were a Home Depot in the city I'd go there before DBS at this point - if you're not going to get ma & pa service, no point going to a ma & pa store with less inventory
This place is a great place to get reasonably priced home repair supplies. It's is also centrally located in the city and has parking.
You can also get lumber cut for $1 per cut, which isn't too bad.
Check this place out for lumber, hardware, tools, paint, garden supplies, etc.
I've been shopping at Discount Builders Supply for close to 20 years, and have learned to modify my expectations about hardware stores accordingly. My local hardware store is Brownie's, which is tough to beat for customer service, although it's probably 1/10th the size of DBS. And my favorite hardware store in town is Cliff's, where customer service is fantastic, even towards boring old heteros like me.
On the plus side, DBS has a pretty huge selection -- by far the largest in town. Also, there are some good deals to be found, especially in the center aisle. Their lumber selection is excellent, and they'll do custom (straight) cuts for a buck a cut. I've never had a problem with exchanging anything, and SOME of the staff (mostly the older guys behind the counter) are easy to work with.
But DBS has some negatives that range from mildly annoying to really irritating. Floor help is scarce and spotty. Some of the people (especially in the hardware department) are pretty well useless, and know less about their stock and what to do with it than do I, and I'm no expert. Their armed (!) security guard seems to be mentally unstable; I've encountered him muttering and wandering around the parking lot more than once. There are also some surprising holes in their inventory, such as not having boxes of bolts, nuts, etc., available. Even small hardware stores offer quantity boxes. And yes -- their hours are absurdly short. If Brownie's can stay open until 7pm, so can DBS, instead of 5:50pm.
With better customer service, longer hours and a few tweaks to their stock, DBS could be a great hardware emporium. They have the manpower, the space and the customer base to be able to effect these changes, but I fear they lack the motivation to do so. Consequently, they will remain a frustrating experience for many people.
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I hate this place, and here are some of the reasons why:
1. the misleading name of the business. There are no discounted builders, discounted supplies, discounted building supplies or discounted builders' supplies. The name should be changed to Overpriced Builders Supply
2. over-priced merchandise (example: Gate lock @ DBS = $37 / the same item @ HD Pro = $20)
3. assholes at the check-out counter (every time, mind you, not just once or twice)
4. the return policy appears to be "NO RETURNS"
5. the parking is a nightmare
6. that dumb, unhelpful, hippy a-hole working in the electrical dept. who wastes my time and can't seem to give a straight answer
6. the store closes at 6pm, which means they don't let you in the door after 5:50pm. It's hard to work until 5 or 5:30 and then get your ass over to DBS before they close. As far as I know, this place isn't just for contractors - so why do they keep those ridiculous hours?
I'd like to see this place improve or get out of the business.
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5.6.2007
2:00PM
I needed some spackle, a knife, some paint, and a Weber BBQ (ok...i didn't NEED the BBQ...but every home should have one.)
Found them all here with great prices and surprisingly generous selections for a smaller store.
I live a block away...and I'm glad you're here to stay.
DBS has the largest selection of relevant product within in the City limits. Their prices are high, their hours suck, their parking just barely works. Contractors do not buy here. When walking to the neighborhood locksmith/general store/hardware won't cut it, but you don't want to run all the way to Colma to complete a project, this is the place to go. I wish they were better at what they did and took pride in their business, but they still meet a need in the middle of the market.
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There will come times when you will need an odd piece of lumber or a pipe fitting or a CFL or a mop, or you will just feel like looking at sinks. Home Depot is down in colma, and it's a pain in the ass.
Discount Builders is in the center of town off of Van Ness, right near Smart & Final and Levende Lounge. Convenient! It's not HD-big, but I don't think I've ever left without finding what I was looking for. HD seems to carry everything imaginable except the stuff I actually need.
The 'Discount' part is kind of misleading, but prices aren't obscenely high except for some low volume stuff.
It's great to not have to drive out to Colma, for two nails. (home depot)
It's so old school, it's super dusty.
Very knowledgeable staff, the cashiers aren't friendly, they seem super duper bored.
They lack the contemporary color choices in paint. If you need white paint or Navajo white, then this is the place for you. Don't come here thinking your going to find Silver Sage that Restoration Hardware carries........cuz, that ain't gonna happen.
MINUS STARS!!
!!!!DO NOT PATRONIZE THIS STORE!!!!
I parked my bike just inside the store,since the bike rack was blocked by a heavy object. This guy comes running at me grabbing things outta my hand like a nut blurting out that I have to leave and come back another day. I explained that the bike rack was blocked and he got worse and worse. He was the manager a total nut mean drunk type complete psycho treated me like i was 12 Im 50
DO NOT PATRONIZE THIS STORE
O'brien in plumbing sat me down on a toilet and gave me a nice long chat, explaining everything I need to know about the innards of a toilet. He encouraged me to come back because, "It's not too often we get pretty girls in here. I like to help all the pretty girls!" Weeks later, he used the same line on me over the phone. Precious.
Why leave the city to go to a big box store when this wonderland is right here on Mission Street? Based on the name, i assumed they specialized in materials only for contractors. I was dead wrong. Inside, I learned they have everything. The staff helped me out in every department I shopped in.
Let's face it, I don't understand the first thing about buying a drill or plumbing or fixtures or hardware in general, but apparently this is the place to learn.
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After reading some of the positive reviews here, I thought I would give DBS another chance. After all, it had been almost six months since my last nightmare there.
I gently asked for help in 3 different departments, and the service was every bit as inconsistent as it's ever been. In electrical, I asked for some wire to be cut, and the salesperson was courtesy and quick about it. In tools, I asked for help finding a hard-to-find drill bit to mount a door bell button on a metal gate. The sales person mumbled incoherently, then eventually handed me the doorbell button back with a tape measure and wandered off to help someone else without recommending any particular solution to my problem. In lumber, I asked "what is the price on redwood 2x6's" and the employee, without making eye contact, yelled "look at the price on the shelf" My boyfriend started laughing and said "he must be taking his first customer service class NEXT week."
On top of that, the doorbell button fell apart as I was taking it out of the packaging, consistent with the low quality of other basic parts I've purchased there in the past.
While home depot doesn't give outstanding service, it's much better than this.
This is a serious hardware store meant for people that have a serious need for hardware. If you don't know what you're looking for, you may feel a little daunted by the selection here, plus the fact that it's not laid out all fancy-schmancy like Home Depot, with enormous aisles and signs.
This is my "go to" place for construction project needs. I give it only three stars because I desperately needed a part one evening and got there just as they were closing the doors, exactly on the dot of their closing time. They had plenty of people in line still, and I begged the security dude at the door to please, please, please let me in, that I knew exactly what I needed, but he still said "no dice." Something about losing his job if he let me in or something, which I think is highly doubtful. I guess I wouldn't have been so irritated if I'd gotten there a few minutes after their closing, but he was literally turning the lock on the door, and it's not like there was a line of other folks trying to crash the place.
So, thumbs up on selection, thumbs down on service.
Best hardware store with-in the city limits! prices might not be dirt cheap, but the staff is helpful and knowledgeable and the location is convenient. Shopping at DB sure beats renting a car and heading out to Home Depot, where your lucky to find anybody to help you, let alone anybody who knows what their talking about (given a few exceptions).
Nice cuz it is close, and have a wide variety of things, but most are overpriced. So if you can plan a trip to Lowes or Home Depot it is worth the drive for building supplies. And the tools are way cheaper at the Depot, like about 25% cheaper.
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Discount Builders' Supply has been my source for everything from wood to plumbing to playground sand for over a decade. They know their business (and yours if you care to share) for DIY advice.
They are also LESS EXPENSIVE than big, orange, tax-break sucking Home Despot (not a spelling error).
Their proximity to Post Tool is convenient if you are in need of specialty items not in their stock. One stop shopping without the monopoly or oppressively low wages.
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I was very impressed with Discount Builders Supply since there are actually people there to help you!!--unlike Home Depot. I hate driving out to home depot to burn more gas and save a few dollars and not be able to find anyone to help you and once you find someone, you have to wait a looong time. At home depot it takes an extra hour at least just to get what you need walking around the giant store lost and no one to help, plus the extra driving time and huge parking lot, gas, lines, add another 45 mins ...go to discount builders--it's much much better and less stressful. So if the advice is slightly uneven--at least you get some--if you want a second opinion or more complete assistance, there are plenty of other staff in the store to poll--a second opinion never hurts. These are real people there with real jobs--so you get a little quirky--it's part of the charm. I love this place and would patronize this store again--I don't think it's a chain. I was very happy both times I went there...also if something is wrong, you can quickly return it and exchange it no problem.
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Great spot, indeed. This is a neighborhood gem...from brackets to mirrors to homasote for crafts - Discount Builders will have what you need. The service is incredible (especially in comparison the big orange monster - yes). The dude that cuts the wood/homasote is a peach!! seriously...i wanted to take him home with me. The guys that work on the floor were quite helpful too.
Keep in mind that this is more of function vs. form kinda place. You get the things you're not going to see rather then your fancy vanity for your shabby chic bathroom or certain shades of "tiffany blue" paint.
They'll see my crafty ass there again and again fo shizzle.
It's a hardware store - who cares.
The stuff is not going to light your world up - It's wood and hammers and plumbing and what ever else you need.
On the up side - if you know what you are doing you could actually assemble a fairly nice house with all of the stuff they have there - or the stuff they can order.
On the downside - well - the selection is limited. That house you may build with all of the 'stuff' from here would be pretty boring. BUT - I dunno - No - never mind the but....
The staff are for the most part indifferent. You want smiles and service? - GO to Nordstroms.
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