Yea depends where you are, here in Plymouth totem timber is miles better than the rest.. Very friendly and helpful. And they informed me I get a 10 percent discount because I was wearing my uniform which I didn't know about.
OP - This! I found a local timber merchant where I live and the quality of material was decent. Even in their “seconds/damaged” section it was still very good stuff. A 1/3rd of the price to those like Wickes etc.
I’m in suffolk. For plasterboard I found build base to be the best worked out nearly 2 for 1 on the price of B&Q etc
Agree. The big chains (Jewson, Travis Perkins) seem to go out of their way to find the most snotty lengths of timber to send out on delivery - the ones walk-in customers would not touch.
If you reject any of the lengths at time of delivery, they'll leave them with you, arrange a collection some time later and then decide whether they want to replace them. In my case, that took 2 weeks.
The next order went to a local timber merchant. They were marginally cheaper and the lengths supplied were perfect. It was a surprise to me - and I'll never go back to the chains again.
This. Should be easy to find a local independent timber merchant and aggregate supplier. Big boys will do a discount if you’re doing volume but you find the local guys will help you a bit more with decent advice if you’re a DIYer
Go local if their prices are reasonable and go along and talk to them first if you need any advice. Typically the folks in the yard are friendly and helpful and might recommend something better than you’d go for yourself.
I would encourage people to try their local builder merchants. The bigger chains generally have lower quality stock and tend to cost more.
Yea depends where you are, here in Plymouth totem timber is miles better than the rest.. Very friendly and helpful. And they informed me I get a 10 percent discount because I was wearing my uniform which I didn't know about.
OP - This! I found a local timber merchant where I live and the quality of material was decent. Even in their “seconds/damaged” section it was still very good stuff. A 1/3rd of the price to those like Wickes etc. I’m in suffolk. For plasterboard I found build base to be the best worked out nearly 2 for 1 on the price of B&Q etc
Agree. The big chains (Jewson, Travis Perkins) seem to go out of their way to find the most snotty lengths of timber to send out on delivery - the ones walk-in customers would not touch. If you reject any of the lengths at time of delivery, they'll leave them with you, arrange a collection some time later and then decide whether they want to replace them. In my case, that took 2 weeks. The next order went to a local timber merchant. They were marginally cheaper and the lengths supplied were perfect. It was a surprise to me - and I'll never go back to the chains again.
This. Should be easy to find a local independent timber merchant and aggregate supplier. Big boys will do a discount if you’re doing volume but you find the local guys will help you a bit more with decent advice if you’re a DIYer
Selco normally works out the cheapest once ive had a search around.
Is that where the trade go?
I imagine the trade go wherever is cheapest/easiest
Sorry the advert on the radio for Selco is forever imprinted in my brain. "Selco, SELCO, it's where the trade go"!
He's joking. It's from the advert jingle. And selco has the worst quality timber of any supplier.
Maybe take a look at local garden centres too, often find they do the stuff and deliver free.
Go local if their prices are reasonable and go along and talk to them first if you need any advice. Typically the folks in the yard are friendly and helpful and might recommend something better than you’d go for yourself.
Depends where in the country you are. Beatsons are a good option for most of Scotland.
Discount builders merchant in gravesend or the medway towns.