Builder's Merchant
The Work
Builder's merchants or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) store workers sell building
and DIY products to the building trade and the general public. They
sell timber; materials for building; painting and decorating; electrical
and plumbing supplies; hand and power tools; gardening equipment;
iron mongery; kitchen and bathroom units and associated products.
Workers give information on products; direct customers around the store, warehouse or yard; and advise on the suitability of materials for a particular use. They may lift goods and load / unload vehicles, manually or with lift trucks.
Senior posts involve staff management, planning, purchasing, producing price lists, stock control, health and safety and related activities.
Hours and Conditions
Builder's merchants usually open early, and staff are likely to start
work by 8 am. Large DIY outlets are open seven days a week. Many DIY
outlets open for extended hours on weekdays and may open on Sundays.
Shift work may be required. Part-time work is very common.
Builder's merchants may have to stand for long periods of time and the work may involve lifting or carrying heavy items.
Staff often wear uniforms. Those who move heavy items may also need protective footwear, which is usually provided by the employer.
Skills and Interests
To be a builder's merchant or DIY store worker, you should:
Training
As a trainee you will usually be given on-the-job training, supplemented
in the larger stores by formal in-house training schemes.
There are NVQs / SVQs in Distribution, Warehousing and Storage Operations at levels 2 and 3; Sales at levels 2 and 3; Customer Service at levels 2 and 3; and Retail Operations at levels 2 and 3. The Builder's Merchants Federation offers courses and support leading to these qualifications.
Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24. For details see:
MAPPs
(England)
Skillseekers
(Scotland)
National
Traineeships MAPPs (Wales) and
MAPPs
(Northern Ireland)
Opportunities
Builder's merchants and DIY stores are located across the UK. Builder's
merchants depend largely on the construction industry, and as a result
fewer jobs are available in times of recession when building work
slows down. However, such times encourage more people to tackle jobs
in the home themselves, so DIY stores tend to prosper.
The larger DIY stores and builder's merchants, which have increased in number in recent years, are usually situated in out-of-town superstores. There has been a decline in the number of smaller merchants, and those that remain tend to specialise in a particular type of product such as timber or painting and decorating. Recent changes in planning regulations may lead to a resurgence in the number of builder's merchants in newly built trade parks.
Larger employers tend to recruit on a regular basis. Part-time vacancies are usually available with both large and small employers.
Working for one of the larger merchants usually offers more secure job prospects, and many of them provide training, or help with training, to enable staff to progress to supervisory and management positions.
In recent years there has been an expansion in the number of out-of-town DIY superstores and a decline in smaller DIY and building supplies outlets. Opportunities for employment depend on the construction industry, with fewer posts available when the industry is in recession.
Salary
The figures below are intended as a guideline only.
Builder's merchants and DIY store workers start on around £8,000.
Experienced staff may earn £10,000.
Experienced staff with relevant qualifications may earn up to £12,000.
Some employers may pay overtime rates for working shifts and weekends, or reward staff with bonus payments based on sales or profitability.
Further Information
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Builder's Merchants Federation
Tel: 0870 901 3380
www.bmf.org.uk
