cost of materials

[jrplastering]

got to work this morning to be told what i was goin to do was already done so can i do some skimming instead......no problem i said wheres the merchants.
just down the road is a travis was the reply.
off i went loaded up with 7 bags of multi and 6 2.4m skim beads, now i was expecting about 50 quid ish at about 5er a bag and bout £1.10 a bead then the vat...........................fella took my order form and came back at me with 84 pound , i almost sh*t right there and then, i asked how much they were seperatly, £7.22 a bag of skim, £3.20 for A bead.
i HATE travis and will not be usein them rip off merchants ever again.

 

[plstering]

wickes all the way m8 buy 4 bags and 5th free as for beads think i was paying £1.10 3m thin coat same as trade point

 

[jrplastering]

normaly i go to a local one off building supplier round the corner from me they know me so i get a discount and thier pretty cheap anyway, i only went to travis because from the job to my place was 40 odd miles, although in retrospect it might have been cheaper to drive back 2 hours and then back to work again.

 

[NickB_99]

was 40 odd miles, although in retrospect it might have been cheaper to drive back 2 hours and then back to work again.

LOL. Even with petrol/diesel at current prices I suspect you're right.

Though I have to say I'm appalled that what I would consider a 'trade' outlet is fleecing you guys. As a DIYer I'd expect to have limited choice primarily to the main sheds, and pay a bit more (VAT, no trade discount etc).
But that really is poor.

 

[roughcaster]

Nearly all the plastering materials that i use, are purchased from B&Q. All quality brands, British Gypsum, Expamet, etc. I also get a great discount with my B&Q Tradecard, plus any other deals that are on offer. If i'm "stuck" i use TP, but that's the only reason.
I get other materials (pva etc), delivered to our local Plumb Centre. The Builder Centre where we are shut down a couple of years ago, but i was able to keep my account going through the Plumb Centre. Nice people, and very good prices.

 

[1john]

Travis Perkins are terrible for that kind of thing, funniest thing about it all is that they own Wickes

 

[keyplayer]

My local B and Q does bulk buy 5 bags or more of multi @ £4-50ish per bag. Similar deal on 8 x 4 boards. I think it's one of their loss leaders to get you in the door. Also they are the only ones around here to sell square edge, all the merchants do taper edge only.

 

[keyplayer]

I also get a great discount with my B&Q Tradecard

It's worth keeping an eye on the Tradecard discounts, they cancel any other deals the store might have on, so you can sometimes end up paying more than the special offer. They are good though.

 

[plstering]

started a job back in march last year priced it up just for mats at jewsons
just over £700 sand cement milti board hardwall and some bits and bobs
when the job started we just got our tradepoint card set up
saved well over £100
came in at £570 i think
now all i use is wickes/tradepoint
jewsons just for mono weber
hirestation for towers and bits
or kp hire in essex
never use tp iv got a card with them but fck there price
im setting up a card with selco
the best plastering sand i get from allsands in kent

 

[Richard C]

I mostly use B&Q Trade center; as stated, if you buy more than 5 it’s cheaper still. It’s also very well stored, not in some damp & dank BM’s tin shed out the back with the doors open all day. As we all know, poor storage can have a big effect this time of year but I’ve never had any problems with the B&Q stuff. Good for PB & even some of the specialist boards & their prices can also be suprisingly keen on other stuff as well if you look hard enough! TP & most of the other BM’s will usually knock quiet a bit off if you ask & kick em hard enough. My local TP also know me & will even do me single bags for around £4.90; not quiet as chap as B&Q but that’s about a 1 ½ hour round trip for me & not much use if I’m working small & local.

 

[jambogaz]

Is it just me or does anyone else find that b&q scrim is not sticky?

 

[jrplastering]

yeah i only like scrim from my local one of builders merchants although ironicaly i find travis scrim is ok.
someone i used to work with had a travel hairdryer in his tool box and he would just use that on scrim that wouldnt stick worked a treat.
if your haveing trouble getting it to stick mabey buy silver scrim sticks like sh*t to a blanket

 

[jambogaz]

Will do, cheers bigman

 

[jrplastering]

haha big man i like it if only you knew me 5ft 10 at best haha