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Contractor’s Contact: The beauty of the home-improvement warehouse business is that it can maximize the efficiency of its selling hours by appealing to two entirely different segments: contractors on weekdays, homeowners on nights and weekends.

To make shopping easier for the former, HomeBase has opened a “Contractor’s Desk” in its Laguna Niguel store so that builders can order quickly--in person or by phone or fax--and receive fast checkout.

HomeBase workers will pore over blueprints and list all of the items needed for a project, then add up costs.

“For contractors, less time spent buying building supplies means more time at the job site, so it’s essential that we make their shopping experience quick and easy,” said Jack Chandler, manager of the Laguna Niguel store.

HomeBase, with headquarters in Fullerton, says that contractors make up anywhere from a fourth to nearly half of the customer base, depending on the store.

The chain now has 87 stores in 13 states, with the newest set to open next month in Lacey, Wash.