免费

Bargain-hunting can lower renovation costs

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — I’ve never visited the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Denver, but I can pretend.That’s because I have a stainless steel soaking tub in my master bathroom that’s made by the same company that built the custom tub for the Four Seasons spa.It’s not that I have a limitless budget, but I temper my expensive taste in bathrooms with discount shopping. A look around my master bath is a primer on where to find bargains: display models, clearance sales, Craigslist, eBay and architectural thrift stores (also known as repurpose or re-use stores).For instance, I found my Japanese soaking tub for half price on the manufacturer’s website.“It was the luck of the timing,” said Diamond Spas Inc. owner Stephanie Bennett. The company was selling its display models before moving into a new facility in Frederick, Colorado.I picked my tub up in person, but many other buyers only saw photos and then paid to have their purchase crated and shipped, Bennett said.While that’s riskier,…