Buildbase
Focused completely on giving the trade all the basic building materials, including timber plumbing supplies and even ready mixed concrete, it’s also open to the public. Buildbase offers efficient delivery for the busy builder and early bird, with 7.30am opening. Go for bulk items like blocks and bricks. There are 137 stores nationwide, including some hire centres.
Build Center
Another hardcore builder’s merchant that caters for the general builder – but open to the public – Build Centers not only sell fencing and roof trusses, they also include complete bathroom and kitchen products – although prices for these are not as cheap as you might find elsewhere. Check out the website for a handy section on all the latest Building Regulation updates.
Go There For
The heavy stuff and a good choice of bathroom sanitaryware.
B&Q
The UK’s largest DIY retailer, with both smaller stores and giant all-under-one roof Warehouses that stock everything from alarms to their own brand Zone bathroom suites, B&Q is a one-stop shop for then general public. The larger stores are also a haunt of builders who can open trade accounts for all the bread and butter house-building material that is stocked in one area.
B&Q offers a kitchen and bathroom installation service, fitting around 25,000 every year. Currently, the store is also trialling a ‘handyman’ service, where customers are quoted a fixed price for household jobs, such as putting up shelves.
Go There For
An enormous range of paints, plus good-looking lighting, rugs, radiators and wallcoverings. Also good for outdoor buildings, such as garden offices.
