sourcing building materials for DIY project

theGrinch

Hello,

I have been given prices for materials for a building project.

The builder has given me materials breakdown, but its up to me to organise the materials. I think most of his prices are from wickes.

Im looking for alternatives online that I can compare prices. I would be very grateful for recommendations so I can compare against my builders price list and the price list I have made (from B&Q, Travis Perkins and some online places).

To give a flavour, the main materials are yellow stock bricks, floor joists, wall, floor and ceiling insulation, aerated blocks, foundation blocks, lintels, pad stones, cement mastercrete, joist hangers, chipboard, flat roof materials, skylights,

I also need 2.2 cubic metres of C30 ready mix. Can anyone recommend suppliers online for quotes that they have used?

thanks

muckybutt

All you really need to do if you have the materials list is contact a few local builders merchants and ask them to quote.

By builders merchants I mean the likes of Jewson - Key and so on

111KAB

Where to start? If you are organising are you also sorting out transportation or are you leaving this to your builder/source? If you are anticipating builder's merchant to deliver (and I suspect you are) then probably best to set up an account with one of the main players. Often best to go with the most local particularly if you have to keep nipping back for the odd item or to look at something. Negotiate a trade discount ~ B&Q for example offer 10% + free delivery over £50 (and there is a way around this threshold) - start off with a basic list (maybe blocks, cement and a couple more) and compare these costs - if you keep going backwards and forwards you will go mad - my suggestion would be to stick with one supplier then ~ certain products may cost more, others less but you will have one point of contact, one set of invoices and one person to complain to if anything goes wrong. The only two products you may wish to source seperately from your list are your bricks and roof lights.

theGrinch

thanks. sound advice. I sense most of the materials can be sourced at one place, although some will be specialist.

can you set up a trade account as an individual? do wickes do trade accounts as I cant find anyone on their website or in their catalogue?

111KAB

As far as I am aware Wickes have no trade cards/discount just free delivery over £45 (within specified radius) as far as I recall or free dlivery via the internet. Yes you can set up a trade account as an individual (VAT registration not required) - just dream up a name (Grinch the Builder) and go from there!

latecomer

Most builders merchants will happily deal with the public and give a reasonable price if you are ordering a reasonable amount of stuff. We did this a couple of years ago and saved about 50% of the just by doing a little preparation and getting a few quotes. Make a full list of what you need and then get on the phone and let them know you are shopping around.

theGrinch

thanks everyone. excellent advice.

27col

When I built myself a couple of houses many years ago I had no trouble setting up an account with a couple of local builders suppliers. This was before the likes of Wickes etc came on the scene.