Homebase, B&Q, Wicks, Focus....

Made_Without

Where do you all go for your DIY bits and pieces?
Im a newcomer to all this having just purchased a place.

Not sure if its best to shop around all -or to pick one place for all the small things in order to accumulate points / cashback.

C*F

moneyuser

A local independent diy shop like you find on the high street, wilkinsons or screwfix. The ones you mention are rip off merchants, especially b&q

Search for what you need online to get the true cost before heading to a diy store

wallbash

Check out the latest offers but when you start factoring the extra time and petrol
you need to save a few quid if drive past a couple to shop at a third.

wallbash

e rip off merchants, especially b&q

Like i'm going to three or four small shops , hassel with the parking , hoping they have what I want , to save a few pence.
If I go to a super store , parking is guaranteed.
But to be fair, always have the latest screwfix/toolstation cat in car, both are close and good.

DCFC79

Only thing with indie shops is they can be expensive but would the owner know more about diy than someone from b and q

Jonesya

Toolstation and Screwfix. Toolstation are normally slightly cheaper (not on all things though, so check) but have a reduced range. The savings on basic items like fixings, hardware, sealants, electrical bits can be huge compared to the sheds - hammer fixings for 80p for 10 at Toolstation whereas B&Q or Wickes are asking for £5 for 10. If you're doing a project with lots of small items the difference is massive.

That said, for stuff like timber, sheet goods etc I use B&Q / Wickes because there's no where else convenient and SF/TS don't stock them.

Made_Without

thanks all - appreciate that the independents can provide help in terms of know-how but I'm fairly time poor so am thinking where possible the one-stop shops for convenience.

Any of the big chains better than the other?

C*F

wallbash

Any of the big chains better than the other?

As I have already posted ..... its the nearest one to you.

Made_Without

wallbash wrote: »

As I have already posted ..... its the nearest one to you.

Apologise for having to make you have repeated.


I guess I'm asking more in terms - all are relatively equidistant from where I am (but not in the sense of being able to visit all each time).
Was interested to know if people favoured one place over another in terms of price, service, range and quality.


C*F

Foggster

I use both Focus and B&Q. I prefer B&Q because we have a large superstore which stocks more or less everything i need. I wouldnt use it for say a kitchen, bathroom etc but for small bits like tools, nails and such like I am more than happy to use them. I was only saying the other day that the best garden tools we have were the budget range from Focus which we bought 7 years ago and have done a fair amount of work and are still in good nick.

It truely is horses for courses.

wallbash

I am in the very fortunate position to live within very easy driving of ( in no order)
B&Q Wickes and Homebase. Screwfix and toolstation are the nearest .
Having the catt. from screw/tool makes things very easy , I can check prices .If I am making a large purchase , have been known to drive to all of them , not a 'green' option but the journey focuses the mind!Given plenty of time , its much more fun ( being a diy'er and not out to make a living )strolling round a superstore B&Q then just being served at a counter ( S/T)
Buying new tools , picking up/ handling , much better than a photo .
This does not answer your question.

Is one shop cheaper than another????? bit like Tesco and Sainsbury depends on what you are buying.

Only thing with indie shops is they can be expensive but would the owner know more about diy than someone from b and q

Is that true?? the average age of the assistants in our local B&Q during the week is a lot older than me. And many much more knowledgeable.