Week 55: The Big Bad World of Traders and Merchants

Welcome to the big bad world of builders merchants! Blimey! So much to choose from where do I start? Jewsons, MKM, Travis Perkins, Buildbase, Selco and of course good old Trade Point at the B&Q. You can honestly get lost in this task as there is so much to choose from. My advice: spend an afternoon, morning or a day if need be and look into their web pages to see which ones you like. A good indication is to look at the size and their geographical reach. The big boys have branches nationally, so even if you buy a house on the other end of the country your favorite merchant can still serve and supply you. Look at prices, stocks and specialist services such as paint mixing or timber cutting etc. 

Then narrow it down to three and register via their individual website. The reason I said three is so you can always compare prices and go for the best quote out of the three. This way you know you are paying a fair price for the goods, it's basically a starting point. You can later compare prices with local smaller traders depending on which area your property is in. Once you have an account you can earn points, get even more of a discount and have a credit account where you buy your materials, get them delivered and pay at the end of the month once you're billed. How fantastic is that??

Tip: don't rule out the small guy as they can provide a very good service and lots of perks too. Plus you are supporting your local businesses too.

In the past I have only ever had to purchase paint, doors, handles, lights, light switches and visited the garden center for my own home. Now that I am renovating it just takes it up several notches. I mean how many different types of cement/sand could there be? I Had to quickly learn about new materials & equipment such as:

Screed, Ballast, Hardcore, Kingspan, Celotex, Lintel, Joists, Beams, Gauge Membrane, Polythene Sheets, Helix Systems & Resin, Concrete Mixers, Pumps with a long Boom

I mean what the hell is a long boom?? You see a very different language to what I'm used to. If you are in the build industry ‘please don’t cringe’. I know it's second nature to you but I had to learn these from scratch and continue to learn every day as new entries are made on my shopping list. My advice on anyone starting out in renovations, be patient it'll all fall into place soon enough. Then it’l be like; ‘what was all the fuss about.’ I know a couple of experienced people in the industry have said they don't get involved in the buying process and let their contractors purchase the material. 

As often, it is not the right size or type so better to let them get on with it plus it’s too much hassle in order to save a buck or two. I couldn't agree more as I find myself spending hours on the phone whilst looking back and forth at my notes. Unfortunately for the time being I can’t delegate this as I just need every saving possible but who knows future projects could be different. Besides I wanted to learn everything ground up, this way no one can pull the wool over my eyes, if you know what I mean.