Builders merchants feeling the pinch

[nod]

I enquires about the lead for our roof on Friday 

All four places that I’ve accounts with have bombarded me with calls Yesterday and today All for a 2 k order 

How things have changed 

Six months ago I’d have been lucky to get four quotes 

 

As a self builder it’s tempting to put all your eggs in one basket 

But it’s better if the reps realize that you are shopping around 

Even a commodity like lead varies ing pricev Only £28.59 per 6 meter roll 

But x it by ten and it’s a nice saving for the sake of four phone calls 

 

Im a long way off tiles But buy on a daily basis Even tiles and adhesive have come down in price 

The diy market has disappeared over night 

[ToughButterCup]

55 minutes ago, nod said:

...

The diy market has disappeared over night 

 

A local tradesman who  -four years ago - couldn't find the time for us, turns up on our doorstep a couple of weeks ago looking for work.

Two large contracts he was just about to start have been pulled.

 

Interest rates.

[ProDave]

Jewson closed several branches a few months back at very short notice (the letter telling me it was going to close, arrived a few days after it had actually closed)

 

Just TP and the independant one left, or a 25 mile (50 mile round trip) drive.

[Kelvin]

I’m not necessarily seeing much change in Perthshire yet.

[nod]

Tough times ahead 

 

Though no sign of the the sites slowing yet 

So much pre Covid contracts to complete 

We’ve a large hotel  to start in Cumbria after Christmas That was cancelled nearly three years ago 

Though I’m not sure how they will staff it 

 

There will be lots of jobbers floating about looking for work 

 

 

 

[nod]

9 hours ago, ProDave said:

Jewson closed several branches a few months back at very short notice (the letter telling me it was going to close, arrived a few days after it had actually closed)

 

Just TP and the independant one left, or a 25 mile (50 mile round trip) drive.

We have a local independent BM 

Probably one of the largest independents Over 200 staff across two sites 

They extended and took lots of extra staff after the pandemic 

Hopefully they will be ok Far better service than the big boys 

[jayc89]

Extremely selfish, but good news for me. We plan to kick off our renovation in anger next year. 

[Jenki]

1 hour ago, nod said:

We have a local independent BM 

 

CW Berry?

[crispy_wafer]

1 hour ago, jayc89 said:

Extremely selfish, but good news for me. We plan to kick off our renovation in anger next year. 

 

Until the buggers get consistent with pricing and stop trying it on, they'll get no sympathy from me.  Like every business or persons, they are entitled to make a wedge, but profiteering and the taking the p**s through covid lives long in the memory.

[Kelvin]

Businesses everywhere behave like this. Supply and demand. It’s not great but you pay when demand is high and benefit when demand is low. I am rather hoping we’ll benefit as our build starts at the beginning of April. 

[ToughButterCup]

12 hours ago, nod said:

Tough times ahead 

...

 

There will be lots of jobbers floating about looking for work 

 

One starts with us early next year ...

[PeterW]

Just bought via Easy Merchant as they were even cheaper than playing off 2 local merchants for some drainage stuff. And use DHL for delivery - free over £125 Ex VAT

[crispy_wafer]

3 minutes ago, PeterW said:

Easy Merchant

Top tip, added them to my vendor list for price checking in future - thanks @PeterW

[nod]

4 hours ago, Jenki said:

CW Berry?

Yep

 

 

[nod]

2 hours ago, PeterW said:

Just bought via Easy Merchant as they were even cheaper than playing off 2 local merchants for some drainage stuff. And use DHL for delivery - free over £125 Ex VAT

The mad thing is 

Build for less and other online sellers use TP to deliver 

[PeterW]

Yep I know !! I was surprised they could beat the locals and also delivery wasn’t too bad - I’ve paid much worse !

[markocosic]

21 hours ago, Kelvin said:

Businesses everywhere behave like this. Supply and demand. It’s not great but you pay when demand is high and benefit when demand is low. I am rather hoping we’ll benefit as our build starts at the beginning of April. 

 

Not all.

 

We hold prices but push lead times / availability out when times are busy.

 

Our client base (utility companies in the main) value that consistency though.

 

The majority of construction buyers on the other hand wouldn't think twice trying to beat you down on price this year even if did them a massive favour last year.

[Moonshine]

A recent example i have had looking at ordering my window cills, for a none trade account sold at £140 + VAT , my trade account £84 + VAT, builder going to Jewsons picking some stuff up and speaking to the branch manager, now its £40 + VAT a length

 

https://www.jewson.co.uk/p/sam52-25-x-294-windowboard-3-66m-fsc-F522529C

 

Saved me over £100 as the next best i could find was £44 for 2.7m lengths

[PeterW]

That’s worrying as my local timber merchant is £45 inc VAT for the same product !